Starting a small business can be an exciting endeavor, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. One crucial aspect is having the right tools, equipment, and software to support your operations. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 must-have products for your small business, including a standing desk, Shopify, a sublimation printer, a heat press, an embroidery machine, Sticker Mule, Creative Fabrica, a folding bookshelf, a thermal printer, and Faire Wholesale. Let's dive in!
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First on the list is an essential small business workspace item, standing desks promote better ergonomics and overall health. It allows you to alternate between sitting and standing positions, reducing the risks associated with prolonged sitting and boosting productivity. Some people pair it with a under-desk treadmill to exercise while working.
This Standing Desk that I bought from Amazon allows for up to 4 height settings and is a large size - perfect for making products, shipping, designing, and any other tasks needed for your small business.
2. Shopify
To establish and manage your online presence, you need a reliable e-commerce platform like Shopify. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, Shopify enables you to create a professional online store, manage inventory, process payments, and handle customer orders efficiently. I even use Shopify during my event and market pop-ups to track inventory, take payments, and send receipts and it has been a DREAM. I love having everything I need all in one platform, rather that use something like Square and have to manually input inventory and track everything separately. (I've also used Shopify to write this blog post!)
If your business involves custom printing on various surfaces, a sublimation printer is a game-changer. It prints water-based inks, just like a normal printer, onto paper which you'll then use a heat press to print on materials like fabric, ceramic, and even metal! Whether you're producing custom clothing, mugs, or promotional items, a sublimation printer expands your creative possibilities.
A sublimation printer is definitely an investment. I purchased my Epson EcoTank ET-15000 printer from Amazon and also purchased sublimation ink to convert it to a sublimation printer. There are many types of specific sublimation printers you can buy, or you can purchase a high quality EcoTank printer and convert it. This combination has worked wonderfully for me to print tote bags, mugs, and more!
4. Heat Press
With a sublimation printer, you'll need a heat press to transfer the ink onto your material. It uses heat and pressure to transfer the printed design from a sublimation paper or vinyl onto surfaces like garments, caps, or bags. A quality heat press ensures professional-looking results with excellent durability. Depending on what you're printing on, you may need a certain heat press like a mug press, hat press, or plate press. I use this Heat Press which was a bundle of everything I needed when I was starting out. As my business has grown, I also added this 2 in 1 Tumbler Press to my collection for printing on tumblers and glass cans.
If you're not a fan of sublimation and would rather go the embroidery route, this Brother Embroidery Machine SE1900 is great for new embroiderers and has been really easy to use. Of course, if you'd rather invest more money when starting out you can research different models to see what may work best for you. I had little experience with embroidery but have found the steps for this machine and the auto-threader AMAZING!
For businesses specializing in personalized or embroidered products, an embroidery machine is indispensable. It allows you to create intricate and professional embroidery designs on garments, accessories, and home decor items. With an embroidery machine, you can offer unique and custom-made products to your customers.
6. Sticker Mule
If you have no desire to make your products by hand, there are also services like Sticker Mule that simplifies the process of creating custom stickers, labels, magnets, and other printed products. Their user-friendly platform and fast turnaround times make it easy to design and order high-quality products with your own artwork or logo.
"Okay, but I have no creativity to create my own designs... now what?"
Creative Fabrica is a valuable resource for small businesses in need of design assets. They offer a vast collection of fonts, graphics, templates, and craft files, empowering you to create professional visuals for your marketing materials, packaging, and product designs.
Efficient storage and organization are crucial for any small business. A folding bookshelf provides a flexible and space-saving solution to display and store your products, supplies, and reference materials. When not in use, it can be easily folded and stored away, making it ideal for businesses with limited space.
I also use these for my small business market pop-ups because they fit into my car SO easily and are quick to unfold or pack up.
Now you have almost everything you need to get started. In order to ship your products, you'll need a good thermal label printer. Not only can you print shipping labels with NO INK needed, you can also use it for product labels, packing stickers, and most things you could ever need to print!
There are a few companies that offer thermal label printers. I use a Munbyn Thermal Label Printer and I love it! It's less expensive compared to a Rollo printer and comes in fun bright colors to match your brand.
10. Faire Wholesale
Lastly, I highly recommend applying to sign up for a wholesale website to sell your products on. Faire Wholesale has a similar "marketplace" feel to Etsy and allows other small business boutiques and shops to find your products. Selling wholesale allows you to get your products in more hands, all around the globe. As Faire is a marketplace for small businesses, you can also purchase products to sell in your own boutique that fit your niche.
Equipping your small business with the right tools and products is vital for success. From optimizing your workspace with a standing desk to enhancing your online presence with Shopify, investing in essential equipment like sublimation printers, thermal printers, heat presses, and embroidery machines, and leveraging resources like Sticker Mule, Creative Fabrica, and Faire Wholesale, these must-have products can help streamline your operations, boost productivity, and offer exceptional products and services to your customers. Take the time to evaluate your business needs and invest wisely in the tools that will support your growth and success.
Leave a comment below and let us know which of these must haves you're investing in!