How to Make Your Business as Low-Maintenance as Possible

Julie Starr • October 25, 2023

Ever daydream about lounging on a hammock while your business runs itself? Yeah, me too! But here's the good news: while we can't make our businesses entirely self-sufficient (unless you've stumbled upon some robots that don't need you), we can definitely lower the maintenance. And guess what? You don't even need to break the bank or your back to do it, as you will see below!


1. Upgrade to the Good Stuff: Invest in Quality Tools and Equipment

Alright, let’s address the giant metallic elephant in the room. Say you’re in a business where you need to cut metal. Sure, you could go with a generic cutter, but why not splurge a bit and go for a plasma cutter machine? Not only will it do the job faster and more efficiently, but it's also gonna last longer. Think of it as spoiling your business with the finer things in life. Over time, these premium tools pay for themselves with fewer repairs and replacements. It's an upfront investment that screams, "Future me will thank me!" And this, of course, applies ot any high quality tools in any industry!


2. Automation, Automation, Automation!

Ever wish you had a clone? While science isn't quite there yet, automation tools can e your next best thing. Whether it's scheduling social media posts, handling customer service inquiries, or managing your finances, there's probably an app or software for it. Do your homework, pick the best ones, and let them do the heavy lifting!


3. Delegate Like a Boss

Here's a secret: you don't have to do it all. Yep, you heard that right. Hire skilled employees and trust them to handle tasks you don’t need to micromanage. Or, if hiring full-time isn’t in the cards, consider freelancers or virtual assistants. By delegating, you’re not just lightening your load but also empowering others. Win-win!


4. Streamline and Simplify

Does your business offer a gazillion products or services? Maybe it's time to Marie Kondo that list. Keep what's profitable and loved by your customers, and consider letting go of the rest. A simplified product or service line can be easier to manage and promote.


5. Go Digital, Baby!

Paper trails? What is this, the 90s? Going digital not only reduces physical clutter but also makes things easier to track. Use cloud storage for files, digital invoicing, and online booking systems. It’s efficient, eco-friendly, and oh-so-slick!


6. Regular Training Sessions

Sounds counterintuitive, I know. But training your team regularly ensures that they're up-to-date with the latest practices,  reducing the chances of hiccups down the road. Plus, a well-trained team can handle issues without always running to you. It's like teaching someone to fish, only with less... fish.


7. Maintenance Schedules are Your Friend

Whether it's your website, your storefront, or that fancy plasma cutter machine we talked about earlier, everything needs a check-up now and then. Set regular maintenance schedules to prevent bigger issues in the future. It's like going to the dentist, but for your business (and hopefully less scary).


So, there you have it, folks! Making your business as low-maintenance as possible isn't just a dream—it's doable. And with these tips, you'll be one step closer to that hammock dream, maybe even with a chilled drink in hand. Cheers to smarter (not harder) business-ing!

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.