Small Business

Economic Impact of Tariffs How to Stay Proactive (and Organized) with QuickBooks

Lisa Burnett Business Growth, Business Tips, Cost-Saving Tips, Small Business QuickBooks

If you’re a small retail business owner, you’ve likely felt the pinch of rising costs—whether it’s inventory, shipping, or supplies. One of the biggest contributors? The economic impact of tariffs. These government-imposed taxes on imported goods can quickly disrupt your margins, especially if you rely on foreign-made products.

While you can’t control global trade policies—and no one is suggesting you need to become an expert in tariffs and economics—you can take steps to protect your business, your bottom line, and your sanity. Let’s walk through what you need to know about how to prepare for tariffs and how to stay proactive—especially when managing your books in QuickBooks.

QuickBooks Online Reports - Ability Business

Master QuickBooks reports and gain better business insights

Lisa Burnett QuickBooks Help, QuickBooks Software, QuickBooks Training, Small Business QuickBooks Online

Master QuickBooks Reports and Gain Better Business Insights QuickBooks Online is a powerful financial management tool that helps businesses of all sizes track income, expenses, and overall financial health. While many business owners use QuickBooks Online for basic bookkeeping, mastering its reporting features —particularly the creation of QuickBooks custom reports— can unlock deeper insights that […]

QuickBooks Enterprise - Ability Business

QuickBooks Enterprise Industry-Specific Editions Accounting Software

Lisa Burnett Business Development, Business Solutions, QuickBooks Software, Retail Solutions, Small Business QuickBooks

QuickBooks Enterprise has long been a go-to solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking for robust accounting software. However, as businesses grow, their needs become more complex. This is where QuickBooks Enterprise Industry-Specific Editions come into play. These editions offer enhanced features and customization options tailored to the unique needs of specific industries, helping businesses streamline operations, improve efficiency, and make more informed decisions.

Lightspeed POS System is Borrego Outfitters pick for business

Lisa Burnett Business Solutions, Case Studies, QuickBooks Point of Sale, Small Business, Technology QuickBooks Online, Retail

How Ability Business Helped Borrego Outfitters Find the Perfect Fit with Lightspeed POS Many small retail companies struggle to find software that fits their business case. It can be difficult to find a solution that works but doesn’t go overboard and is affordable—at the time of implementation and in the future as the business grows […]

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise or QuickBooks Online for my business needs?

QuickBooks Enterprise vs QuickBooks Online for my business needs?

Lisa Burnett Accounting Software, Business Growth, Business Solutions, QuickBooks Software, Retail Solutions, Small Business Migrate, QuickBooks Enterprise, QuickBooks Online

Which version of QuickBooks do I need? QuickBooks Enterprise vs QuickBooks Online—that is the jackpot decision for many small business owners. Read along as we compare QuickBooks software.

Getting Rid of the Retail Back Office Scaries

Lisa Burnett Business Development, Business Growth, Business Solutions, Retail Solutions, Small Business Retail, Retail POS

What are the retail “back office scaries”? These hidden monsters lurk within piles of stacked POS (point of sale) reports, the shadows of tangled hardware cables, the corners of dusty inventory shelves, hang around outdated software, and can even be found near the coffee station!

Read more about Margin Moth, Stagnator, Gobbler, Drudge, and Underminer.

Level Up Your Retail Point of Sale Solution

Lisa Burnett Business Development, Business Growth, Business Solutions, Business Tips, Retail Solutions, Small Business, Technology Retail, Retail POS

Boosting your retail point of sale system involves leveraging the latest trends and technologies to streamline operations, improve customer experience, and reduce administrative burdens. Here are some key strategies and trends to consider:

Embrace omnichannel integration with a retail point of sale

Integrate your POS system with online and offline sales channels to provide a seamless shopping experience. This includes syncing inventory, sales data, and customer profiles across platforms, enabling customers to buy online and pick up in-store (BOPIS), return items via any channel, and enjoy a consistent shopping experience.

13 Challenges selecting a new point of sale system

13 Challenges selecting a new retail point of sale system

Lisa Burnett Business Growth, Business Solutions, QuickBooks Point of Sale, Retail Solutions, Small Business Retail, Retail POS

With the announcement of the QuickBooks Point of Sale v19 software deprecation in October of 2023, I spent a great deal of time chatting with clients, both current and new, on how to navigate this news. At Ability, we understand that when switching to a new point of sale system, it is not any easy task. There are many different components that have to be reviewed, after all a POS system is the heart of a retail business.

When QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) users looked to switch to a new POS software, they faced significant challenges. I have compiled a list of thirteen challenges that were raised during discussions.

Let’s Get Retail Podcast, QuickBooks Retail Experts Featured Guest

Lisa Burnett Business Development, Business Growth, Cloud Accounting, Cool Tech Tools, Retail Solutions, Small Business, Technology Retail, Retail POS

I had the privilege of joining the Let’s Get Retail Podcast, presented by QuickBooks, as a guest, and it was truly an honor. Hosted by Nate Flake and sponsored by QuickBooks, the podcast is a valuable resource for anyone in the retail industry.

QuickBooks Desktop 2021 Discontinued May 31st – Plan for your Upgrade

Lisa Burnett Business Solutions, Finance Management, QuickBooks Software, Small Business, Technology QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Advanced

QuickBooks Desktop 2021 set to be discontinued. Users, who are running their business with the last outright offering of QuickBooks Desktop 2021 (QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier) version, will need to either upgrade to a QuickBooks Desktop 2024 subscription or migrate to QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Desktop 2021 software will be discontinued on May 31st, 2024.

Another year, another decision. The QuickBooks landscape of product offerings is ever-changing. As you take this time to review your business software and tech stack, follow along for guidance and links to other blogs I have written throughout the years.