Inventory management, manufacturing, and business strategy for small-batch product businesses.
inventory management
The reorder point formula tells you exactly when to place a new purchase order, before you run out mid-production. Here's how to calculate it for raw materials.
Multi-channel inventory management is harder when you manufacture. Here's why, and how product businesses keep raw materials and finished goods in sync across Shopify, Etsy, and wholesale.
pricing
Learn the manufacturing cost per unit formula, including yield loss, batch variance, and overhead allocation: the variables most pricing guides skip entirely.
Shopify tracks finished products. It doesn't track raw materials, recipes, or what it cost to make each item. Here's how to build the inventory layer Shopify is missing — specifically for Shopify sellers who manufacture what they sell.
manufacturing
MRP software isn't one-size-fits-all. Small-batch manufacturers and product businesses need different things than factories with 200 employees. Here's an honest breakdown of the best options.
Inventory software built for retail counts widgets. Small manufacturers need something different: raw material tracking, COGS calculation, and production-aware stock. Here are the best options in 2026.
bookkeeping tax
WooCommerce doesn't track COGS natively. Compare plugin options against dedicated manufacturing software, and see why product businesses producing their own goods need more than a static cost field.
Shopify Stocky is discontinued and shutting down August 31, 2026. Key features like inventory transfers and forecasting are already gone. Here's what happened to Stocky, why it was removed from the Shopify App Store, and the best alternatives for product businesses who manufacture products.
Let's be honest - as a cannabis manufacturer, you're drowning in compliance paperwork, second-guessing your costs, and losing sleep over whether you're tracking things correctly. The $500/month platforms want you to believe that's your only option—but what most small manufacturers actually need is something simpler: cost tracking that's accurate, inventory that's honest, and software that doesn't require a computer science degree.
If you're running a small manufacturing business, MRP planning software can transform how you manage materials, production, and costs. Here's exactly what it does — and why spreadsheets can't keep up.
What is manufacturing inventory management, and how does it work for small-batch manufacturers? This guide covers key terms, formulas, multi-channel sync, and software options.
compliance
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice: guidelines covering documentation, facilities, equipment, and traceability. Here's what it means for small manufacturers.