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Resources - page 6 of 9

Inventory management, manufacturing, and business strategy for small-batch product businesses.

Make-to-Order Production Planning for Small Businesses

inventory management

Make-to-Order Production Planning for Small Businesses

Make to order workflows need different approaches when it comes to production planning - we show you how to design a production process to maximise your small business success.

· 15 min read
How to Start a Spice Business From Home: Real Costs & Pricing Guide

manufacturing

How to Start a Spice Business From Home: Real Costs & Pricing Guide

A practical guide to starting a spice business — registration, equipment costs, and how to price your blends so you actually make money.

· 17 min read
Lot Numbers Explained — What They Are, How to Create Them & Industry Format Examples

inventory management

Lot Numbers Explained — What They Are, How to Create Them & Industry Format Examples

Learn what lot numbers are, see real format examples by industry (food, cosmetics, candles, jewellery), and find out how to create and track lot numbers for your small product business.

· 21 min read
Bill of Materials Examples: Real Costed BOMs for Small-Batch Manufacturers

inventory management

Bill of Materials Examples: Real Costed BOMs for Small-Batch Manufacturers

Real bill of materials examples with full costings: soap, candles, hot sauce, and single-level vs multi-level BOM tables, plus a free template to download.

· 18 min read
How to Track Inventory for a Small Business for Free

inventory management

How to Track Inventory for a Small Business for Free

There are several ways to track inventory for a small business for free. We compare pen and paper, free spreadsheets, free apps, and when a free trial of dedicated software makes sense — honestly, so you can choose the right method for where you are right now.

· 23 min read
What Is a Production Planning Manager? 2026 Salary Guide

inventory management

What Is a Production Planning Manager? 2026 Salary Guide

What does a production planning manager do? We discuss roles and responsibilities, 2026 salary expectations from BLS and Salary.com, and the tools production planning managers need to succeed.

· 19 min read
What Is Faire Wholesale? How Small Brands Use It to Get into Boutiques

inventory management

What Is Faire Wholesale? How Small Brands Use It to Get into Boutiques

Faire Wholesale connects independent brands with boutique retailers worldwide. Learn how it works, what the fees are, and how to price profitably.

· 17 min read
Material Traceability for Small Manufacturers: A Lot Tracking Guide

inventory management

Material Traceability for Small Manufacturers: A Lot Tracking Guide

How to implement material traceability in a small manufacturing business: lot numbering, manufacture records, MoCRA requirements, and the systems that make it manageable.

· 22 min read
Multilevel Bill of Materials — A Practical Guide for Small Manufacturers (+ Excel Examples)

inventory management

Multilevel Bill of Materials — A Practical Guide for Small Manufacturers (+ Excel Examples)

A multilevel bill of materials breaks your production process into assembly levels, making complex products easier to track, cost, and manufacture. Here's how to build one.

· 15 min read
MRP Meaning — What Does MRP Stand For?

inventory management

MRP Meaning — What Does MRP Stand For?

MRP (Material Requirements Planning) is a production planning system that calculates what materials you need, when to order them, and in what quantities — helping manufacturers avoid stockouts and overstock.

· 15 min read
COGM (Cost of Goods Manufactured) — What It Means and How to Calculate It

inventory management

COGM (Cost of Goods Manufactured) — What It Means and How to Calculate It

COGM (Cost of Goods Manufactured) is the total cost to produce finished goods in a period. Here's what it means, the formula, and how it differs from COGS.

· 13 min read
Faire vs IndieMe — Which Wholesale Marketplace Is Better for Small Brands?

pricing

Faire vs IndieMe — Which Wholesale Marketplace Is Better for Small Brands?

Faire charges 15% commission plus a $10 new-customer fee. IndieMe charges a flat subscription with no commission at all. Here's how to decide which one is right for your product business.

· 16 min read
How to Start a 3D Printing Business from Home (2026 Guide)

manufacturing

How to Start a 3D Printing Business from Home (2026 Guide)

Want to start a 3D printing business from home? This guide covers everything from choosing the right printer and filaments to startup costs, product ideas, and where to sell your 3D printed products.

· 20 min read
What are Raw Materials? A Guide for Manufacturers.

inventory management

What are Raw Materials? A Guide for Manufacturers.

If you are a small manufacturer, it is important to understand what raw materials are and how they are used in a bill of materials (BoM). This article covers the basics of raw materials and includes some tips on how to simplify your operations.

· 14 min read
Best Manufacturing Software for Small Business in 2026: 7 Honest Reviews

inventory management

Best Manufacturing Software for Small Business in 2026: 7 Honest Reviews

Comparing the 7 best manufacturing software options for small businesses in 2026, including current pricing, honest limitations, and what small manufacturers actually need from an MRP system.

· 27 min read