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These tools can help Canadians with everything from accounting to graphic design.
Narcity may receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend in this article, which was created by the Narcity Shop team. Items are in stock and prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time.
Between the power of social media and e-commerce platforms like Shopify, starting your own business has never been more accessible.
Whether you’re turning your design hobby into a greeting card business or your love for baking into a gourmet cake business, there can be parts of starting a business that aren’t as fun. Luckily, with the right tools in your arsenal, your goals can certainly be easier to manage.
No matter what stage you’re at, here are 13 tools that’ll make your life easier and scale your business to the next level.
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You don’t have to be a professional graphic designer to create beautiful posts to share on your social pages. Canva is an online drag-and-drop program that’ll make it easy-peasy. You can start with the free version or upgrade to Pro to get added features like templates, a brand kit and more.
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If you need any of your designs printed, VistaPrint is the place to go. You can get stickers, business cards, posters, thank you cards and so much more printed for an affordable price.
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Have you ever sent an important email only to realize, seconds later, that there was a major typo? Grammarly is a Chrome extension that can help you edit your writing and even improve your tone. You can use the free version or upgrade to Premium for $12 per month or Business for $12.50 per month.
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Managing your own expenses and invoices is tedious and takes up a lot of valuable time. Quickbooks is an app that’ll help you track everything, so you never miss a payment again. The plans start from $12.50 per month for basic services and go up to $90 per month for more support and analytics.
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You can graduate your business from Instagram or Facebook to its own website using the Squarespace website builder. They have tons of gorgeous templates to start with, so you won’t need to hire a web developer to create the site of your dreams.
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No website is complete without a domain name and you can get a good rate on one at GoDaddy along with secure hosting. You have the option to build a website directly from your GoDaddy account if you want to keep everything in one place.
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You can keep your IP address secure with a VPN, especially when you’re working on public Wi-Fi. Right now, you can get 72% off your subscription and pay only $3.29 per month.
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There’s nothing more frustrating than losing your work on the computer after spending hours on it. A backup tool like Sync will give you some peace of mind knowing everything is safe in the Cloud. It also works as a document collaboration platform! If you sign up now, you can get the first 5 GB for free.
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You can also pick up an external hard drive to store your files and access them even when you don’t have Wi-Fi. This one from Seagate, which you can order on Amazon, comes in various sizes from 1TB to 5 TB which is a lot of storage!
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Never get locked out of an account again with a password manager like 1Password. It also functions as an authenticator for securely logging into your websites. Pricing starts at US$ 2.99 per month.
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Reading books by other entrepreneurs and subject matter experts is a great way to get inspiration. But, if you don’t have a lot of time to read every day, Blinkist can help you learn the key points of your to-read list using summaries and voice memos.
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If your new business is basically a team of one, you might need to learn how to do everything from marketing to accounting all by yourself. Online classes on Udemy can help you learn all the skills you need to manage it all, and they start at $19.99. You pay by course so you won’t have to worry about any recurring monthly fees.
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Outsourcing certain tasks with a freelance platform like Fiverr can take a huge load off your shoulders without the commitment of hiring an additional employee. The talented freelancers on the platform can do everything from building a website to managing social media. It’s free to sign up and you only pay for the gigs you order.
You can get them all from Simons for under $30. 😍
Narcity may receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend in this article, which was created by the Narcity Shop team. Items are in stock and prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time.
While I’m a huge fan of stylish home decor, I definitely appreciate the more mundane products I use every day because of their usefulness and functionality. But you know what’s even better? When those everyday items can double as decor.
If that sentiment rings true for you, too, then you’ll probably appreciate these 21 way-cuter versions of typical home products. You can get them all online from Simons for super affordable prices ranging from $6 to $30.
Simons
Garbage? As decor? Yes, please. You can turn your unsightly trash bin into a work of art with this ultra-cute wastebasket.
Simons
Give your kitchen a little warmth with these vibrant tea towels. The set comes with two towels you can drape over your oven’s handle or hook onto the wall.
Simons
Why bother with regular fairy lights when you can hang these darling bee-shaped lights instead? Each string is adorned with ten LED lights and takes three AA batteries to power on.
Simons
You can give your bathroom counter a mini upgrade by placing your loose baubles and tiny toiletries in this adorable glass jar. It’ll work well for makeup remover pads or cotton balls, too.
Simons
Hate when your sugar gets too stiff? This adorable cat-shaped sugar saver will prevent it from doing just that, all while looking totally cute doing so.
Simons
This charming hamper is sure to make your room look a little tidier. Your dirty clothes? Yeah, they never looked so good.
Simons
Not only are these dryer balls absolutely adorable, but they’ll also eliminate static, cut down on drying time and save you from buying disposable dryer sheets.
Simons
You can say goodbye to hideous tissue boxes with this lovely tissue box cover. There are several other styles to choose from, so if this one doesn’t match your decor you’re sure to find one that does.
Simons
This charming ceramic mug comes with a silicone-rimmed lid, which will keep your beverages toasty if you’re one to sip slowly on tea or coffee throughout the day.
Simons
These handy mixing bows won’t just add some colour to your baking cupboards — they’re also made of bamboo, making them an excellent eco-friendly option. The set comes with five bowls in different colours and sizes that’ll stack neatly together when you’re not using them.
Simons
If you’re looking to tidy up your desk, try this charming phone holder shaped like an elephant. When you’re not using it, it doubles as a decor piece.
Simons
This little dude is sure to bring a little joy to your shower. Instead of a regular old handle, this quirky squeegee is shaped like a teeny-tiny person. I mean, why not?
Simons
If your garlic bulbs are always in a mess on your counter, give them a designated spot to live with this rustic garlic sack.
Simons
This calming bottle lantern will give your room a warm ambient glow the instant you turn it on. The lid acts as the on switch and holds the battery, so you can move the lantern around as you please without any unsightly cords.
Simons
Trade in your old boring shower curtain for one that’ll add some character to your bathroom. You might want to grab a pack of double-sided shower hooks, too, so you can hang your curtain and liner on separate hooks.
Simons
This chic compost bin will undoubtedly look a heck of a lot cuter than the old plastic bin you’re probably using now. It comes with a round carbon filter, which can help decrease unwanted odours from seeping out into your kitchen.
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If you have to rummage through a messy cupboard to find a bandaid, gather your first aid items together and stash them in one place with this unmistakable tin box.
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How cute is this sunny little bath mat? It’ll add a little something extra to your bathroom floor, which will help brighten it up a little.
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This stylish oven mitt will look fab while it saves your hands from scorching pots and pans. It has a loop at the end, so you can store it hanging.
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There’s no way you have a toothbrush holder that’s cuter than this thing. No installation is required since it’ll just suction onto your bathroom wall.
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If you’re growing a bit tired of your dining room table, you can mix it up with a patterned tablecloth. This one is made out of vinyl, so it’ll be easy to wipe off any spills or crumbs. It’s currently available in six sizes.
The Royal Canadian Mint just dropped five Year of the Tiger coins! 👀
Narcity may receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend in this article, which was created by the Narcity Shop team. Items are in stock and prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time.
While a lot of us celebrated the new year on January 1, many Asian countries and people with Asian heritage are waiting until February 1 this year to ring in the new year. The Lunar New Year, that is.
In 2022, we’re celebrating the Year Of The Tiger. Each zodiac only comes around every 12 years, so you can do something special to commemorate it with one of the new limited edition coins from The Royal Canadian Mint.
The coins range in price from $59.95 to a whopping $105,000 for a one-kilogram pure gold coin. Here are all of the other ones you can buy this year.
The Mint
This gold coin with the Year Of The Tiger design is a half-ounce one designed by artists Aries Cheung (tiger design) and Susanna Blunt (coin face). There were 1,888 minted in this design.
The Mint
A much more affordable option is this silver coin, with the tiger side designed by artist Lily Kao. You can still get your hands on one of the 18,888 that were minted.
The Mint
Another type of coin that you can get your hands on is this silver bullion coin. The bullion coins are made to be collected (not in circulation) and the coin itself doesn’t have a design but it comes in this special Year of the Tiger packaging.
The Mint
Like the silver bullion coin, this pure cold one also comes in a special Year of the Tiger package.
Dupes for the Super Puff Mid, Shorty, Shorty Vest and more!
Narcity may receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend in this article, which was created by the Narcity Shop team. Items are in stock and prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time.
Some of the most popular winter coats you probably see Canadians wearing are from the Super Puff line, which is available at Aritzia. While these puffers are well-made and super warm, they come at a hefty price tag.
Besides the Super Puff line, Aritzia has some other gorgeous winter apparel that are equally as high quality, but also just as expensive.
So, if you’re looking to achieve the Aritzia look for less, here are 11 dupes we found from brands like Dynamite and Old Navy.
Aritzia (left), Old Navy (right)
The Super Puff Shorty (left) is $275 while this Old Navy dupe has a similar shine and is also water resistant. The dupe comes in red, red plaid, maple, blue, and black and in petite, regular and tall sizes XS to 4X.
Aritzia (left), Old Navy (right)
Keep cozy with this sherpa jacket that’s only a fraction of the price of the Babaton Antic Jacket (left) that’s $120 right now. While the Aritzia one only comes in black and brow, the Old Navy dupe also comes in cinnamon, teal, and beige.
Aritzia (left), Dynamite (right)
The Wilfred Melina Pants (left, $148) have been blowing up on TikTok lately and they’re the perfect thing to wear this winter. But for less than half the price, you can get this Dynamite dupe that is super similar.
Aritzia (left), Dynamite (right)
Pair your Gisele pants with a matching shacket, which is a total dupe for the Ganna Shirt Jacket (left, $168). It’s great for layering since the fit is oversized.
Aritzia (left), H&M (right)
The Super Puff line includes these cozy waterproof Super Puff Mittens (left, $45) which will match your Super Puff coat. These more affordable ones from H&M are super similar, but feature a wrist elastic to keep snow out.
Aritzia (left), Ardene (right)
Dropping $80 on a sweatshirt can be a lot for some of us, even if it’s a gorgeous one like the Cozy Fleece Boyfriend Crew Sweatshirt (left). Instead, here’s a similar one at a lower price from Ardene that comes in eight colours.
Aritzia (left), Ardene (right)
Another sweatshirt to lounge around in is this Cozy Fleece Mega ¼ Zip Sweatshirt (left, $55) that’s soft to the touch. But, since it’s out of stock on the Aritzia website, the Ardene one is the perfect (and less expensive) alternative to pick up.
Aritzia (left), H&M (right)
The Super Puff Shorty Vest is comfy and warm but with a price tag of $250, you might be looking for a cheaper option. This H&M one is great because it has similar features (like an elasticized hem, high neck, and pockets) for a much lower price.
Aritzia (left), Dynamite (right)
These Tna Cozy Fleece Mega Cargo Sweatpants (left, $78) combine the coziness of sweatpants with the look of cargos. The Dynamite dupe come in a similar beige colour, as well as an olive green.
Aritzia (left), H&M (right)
You can hardly tell these two sweaters apart, except when you look at the price — which has a difference of $128. They both have a dropped shoulder style and a high, loose-fitted neck to keep you warm.
Aritzia (left), Dynamite (right)
While it’s not available in the exact same colour as the Super Puff Mid (left, $248), this Dynamite dupe is almost identical in style and is on sale for almost 70% off the original price.
Get ready for some serious Bridgerton vibes 😍
Narcity may receive a small commission if you purchase something we recommend in this article, which was created by the Narcity Shop team. Items are in stock and prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time.
With Ontario’s recent COVID-19 restrictions, we are all aware that concerts in Toronto are a no-go — for now, at least. But with boosters rolling out in Ontario, there is a glimmer of light at the end of this pandemic-shaped tunnel.
One of the things that has kept my spirits up during all of this is making fun plans for the future. We all need something exciting to look forward to, right?
Well, one of those plans includes seeing the Listeso String Quartet play a Taylor Swift tribute concert by candlelight. With 14 of her greatest hits reimagined by the swells of string instruments, you’ll get to enjoy an hour of uninterrupted T-Swift. I mean, how dreamy and wonderful does that sound?!
If restrictions are lifted and all goes as planned, it’ll take place at Toronto’s Metropolitan Community Church, where, might I add, some of the world’s first same-sex marriages occurred (pretty cool, huh?).
I was lucky enough to see two candlelight concerts at the same venue prior to lockdown 4.0 and can vouch for the ambiance, musical professionalism and literal tears of joy both performances brought me (they were the first concerts I’d been to since 2019, so, the feels were real).
The concert is scheduled to have shows on three dates: February 2 and 4 and March 19, with performances scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets range from $30 to $60, depending on the seats you choose.
Of course, it’s uncertain whether or not we’ll actually be able to attend the Taylor Swift tribute concert in February or March, but just in case we are, tickets are available now on Fever Up.
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You can enjoy the dreamy string-quartet renditions of your favourite Taylor Swift songs by candlelight this winter. The 60-minute show will consist of hits like “You Belong With Me”, “All Too Well”, “Cardigan” and “Wildest Dream”. The show will take place February 2 and 4 and March 19 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. EST, as long as public health restrictions in Toronto are lifted by then.
