Save money, time running your small business

Being at the helm of a small business can be overwhelming. Whether you’re already your own boss or are thinking of making the leap, these tips from small business owners can help you get organized and boost productivity.

Make it Official

“If you’re thinking of starting a business, the simple act of making business cards will make you feel so much more official,” says Laura Essl, owner of “Blue Eye Brown Eye,” a calligraphy and design service.

Essl, who recently partnered with Staples as part of their #MakeMoreHappen campaign to help small business owners learn about resources to help them get things done, suggests the Staples Copy & Print Center as a go-to destination for business cards, note pads and other customized supplies. Like others too busy to go to the store, she calls their online ordering system and takes advantage of free delivery for orders over $49.99 as “the cherry on top.”

Make the Effort

If you are newly taking a crack at operating a business, you may quickly notice the little things you took for granted as an employee. No longer relying on someone else to provide basics like pens, paper and file folders, it’s important to supply your office cost-efficiently.

Buying supplies haphazardly while you happen to be grocery shopping, for example, as interior designer Anissa Zajac, owner of House Seven was doing at first, is neither a good strategy for staying organized or on-budget.

“I spend most of my time visiting clients and so I don’t need a lot of supplies, but I’ve discovered that making a special trip to an office supplies retailer is well worth it for the money I will save in the long run,” says Zajac.

Get Professional

When working from home, it can be tempting to let things lapse into chaos. But if you video conference, meet with clients or just want to get serious, it’s important to differentiate your home office from your home, at least mentally.

“What I previously called my office was a makeshift desk in my son’s playroom. It worked fine for me, as my requirements and hours were flexible, but now that my husband is working from home and conducting online business meetings and conference calls, we quickly discovered that toys in the background was just not a professional look,” says Shannon Peterson, lifestyle blogger behind “Much Most Darling.”

When upgrading your office, Peterson suggests stretching dollars by taking advantage of resources like the Staples Rewards program, which offers rewards on purchases, cash back on recycled ink cartridges and special coupons and deals. She also points out that you can enjoy further cost-savings when opting for the generic store brand, which, in most cases, is as high quality as name brand alternatives.

More cost and time efficient ideas for small businesses can be found by visiting Staples.com and by following #MakeMoreHappen on social media.

When money and time is tight, as it often is when running a small business, turn to smart strategies to take your business further with fewer resources.