First of the Month Checklist | For the Small Business Owner


Owning your own business is no joke! The first few years of business you’re hit with an INCREDIBLE learning curve! And lets be honest, just about the time you think you have everything down pat you learn something else! (Although, I’ve come to learn and appreciate continual growth! It stretches us–but oh is it good!!!)

As time goes on, workflows are created and systems are put in order and routines are created! There are a few things that I do at the start of every month–things that are crucial to help me stay on top of my game and know that the back end of my business is running smoothly!

1) Monthly Mile IQ
If you’re a business owner and you’re not using the Mile IQ app, stop reading this right now and get it!!!! Seriously! Every time I drive to a meeting, photo session, wedding my phone automatically tracks how many miles I drove! Then with one swipe I log it as a business expense! It’s amazing (and let me attest–when tax time rolls around you’ll thank yourself for having this!) At the beginning of every month I log into my Mile IQ dashboard, select the dates for the month (first through the end) then export the file as a PDF. I save it to my computer and print one out (hello crazy lady who loves having things in multiple locations!) Mile IQ automatically calculates when you drove, the distances, times, specific locations, exact miles and the business rate of gallons/mile!

2) Monthly Expenses
Next up, receipts. The other app I couldn’t live without as a business owner is Expensify! It’s free and incredible! Every time I make a purchase with my business credit card, I click on my Expensify app and take a pictures of the receipt! I log where I purchased it, how much, the date and the categorize it. At the end of every month I click on the first through the last date (are you seeing a theme?) create a PDF and it automatically shows me how much I spent and in each specific category. Not only that, but if I was every audited all of my receipts are kept!

3) Files Backed Up
The last thing I do at the start of every month is (double) back up my images. Or triple. 😉 I have an external drive that is continually backing up my computer–it’s at work even when I don’t recognize it! Yes please and thank you! When my clients get their images back via PASS the edited images are automatically secured for 10 years (second back up) but then the first of the month I have a larger external drive and make sure that my sessions are backed up there as well (check! check! check! Three back ups!) I personally love the LaCie external drives (and not because we share the same name!) 😉 It’s fast and pairs so seamlessly with Macs!

4) Write Blog Content for the Month
I haven’t always done this….although I wish I had! I auto time my blog posts and it’s one of the BEST. DECISIONS. EVER! I write blogs at the beginning of the month then put them on a timer both on my website and Facebook! (This post you’re reading right now was auto timed!) Then every Thursday my content is automatically published! If you don’t auto time your blog posts…..pleaseeeee look into it! Here I am in the midst of busy season and content is still continually being posted! With a little extra planning, you’ll continually be at peace of mind knowing that your blogs will be consistent!

I know as time goes on these systems will continue to be refined (and that’s good!) My first of the month days are the nitty gritty backend of my business—but making sure they get done is essential! If you have any questions about these programs, please don’t hesitate to send me an email at: laceyrene.studios@yahoo.com ! If you want a more in depth look at a few of these programs, check out THIS blog! Alright…keep on keepin’ on you awesome business owner you!