The backstory

Build a Small Business
You Love to Own

Build a Small Business
You Love to Own

And—before you ask—yes, this is a real quote from our client,
Janelle S. Farm & Nursery Owner


Starting a small business comes with plenty of challenges and a heck of a lot of problem-solving, sifting through disconnected information, and research—our goal? Make it fun.

We provide a one-stop shop with guides on everything from:

  • How to figure out which business you want to start from ideation to launch
  • How to level up your business as you move into wholesale
  • How to reorganize your day so you can find time to build your business 
  • How to find the confidence to keep moving your business forward
  • How to wrangle all the messy backend of starting a business

We do this by providing a business road map which eliminates all those hours piecing together information from social media, books, and google searches.

Which, let's be real, can feel overwhelming and make you wonder why you thought starting a small business was a good idea. 

We've been in your shoes. Building a new business while navigating an already packed life. Along the way people helped us as we were getting started, and it's our goal to pass along all of those kindnesses and insights to you. 

Because the world gets just a little bit better every single time someone believes in themselves and starts a business sharing what they love.

"Working with Melissa made me feel as comfortable as being under a warm, cozy blanket."

Featured In...

I help guide people just like you on how to design the small business they’ve dreamt about for years—all while teaching business strategy as if we were sitting at coffee shop with coffee in hand.

My approach is to take the intimidation factor out of growing your small business. Think sweatshirts and ponytails instead of suits and too much hairspray. After all, I do live in Alaska, the land of cannery hoodies and warm boots.

I package up all of the insights from: 

  • Founding a recently-expanded independent bookstore
  • Guiding strategic planning at the corporate level
  • Launching three hand-crafted product businesses that specialize in wholesale

I have coached in-person on time management and business strategy for non-profits, corporations, and small business entrepreneurs.

Now, I share all of that knowledge through workbooks, books, courses, and podcasts for entrepreneurs who are getting started with business or leveling up, so you can spend your time on what matters most...

Growing your thriving business. 

BUSINESS STRATEGIST

I’m Melissa Haffeman,
and I coach entrepreneurs who are ready to create their small business from scratch or level up their business.

Businesses Line-Up  | Everything from Brick and Mortar to Wholesale Only

 Everything from
Brick and Mortar to Wholesale Only

Brick & Mortar Indie Bookstore

Soy Candle Business
Wholesale & Direct to Retail

Vacation Rental

Wholesale Only Products

Custom Manufacturing
Amazon Sales

Businesses Founded & Operated By Melissa Haffeman

Businesses Line-Up

Coaching & Strategy

Your friends nod and say it looks good, but best friends sit you down and tell you that your hair cut looks bad...and then they help you make the appointment to fix it.

I give constructive feedback with kindness at heart.

From the strategy calls to website audits...and even in the workbook examples, you'll find that gentle push to level up your work.

You'll be challenged on refining your:
  • website 
  • product tags & packaging
  • branding
and so much more - all done with an encouraging and kind approach. So that you have the info you need to examine your business through other lenses. 

There's nothing quite like learning through story. Story connects us to one another and there's no better way to envision what you'll do in a situation than to hear the story of what happened in another business.

I share real-world stories illustrating business concepts.

For example, when I opened my bookstore, it was about six months before I felt comfortable talking wholesale, invoice, DBA, and EIN.  Honestly, I straight up avoided saying those words out loud for quite a while.

I love listening to stories of how businesses were started in my community. There's nothing like sitting down with a seasoned business owner and hearing harrowing moments, successes, and all the moments in between.






Starting a business is intimidating enough. The guidance you turn to shouldn't be also.

I believe in explaining all the jargon as if we were old friends sitting together figuring things out side by side. 

Living on a remote island in the North Pacific ocean has a way of helping people connect.  Maybe it's because we walk into the shop all frazzled from 70 mph winds, or it's because we know that if the barge doesn't arrive we will be trading eggs for flour from our neighbors again.

I bring this connection into all of my coaching and workbooks. Real people with real lives, connecting over a shared passion for business. 


I take a different approach
to coaching people
on their small
business strategy...

I take a different approach to coaching people
on their small business strategy...

1 | Real Talk

2 | Stories from the Field 

3 | Loving Challenge

Gas station coffee that's been on the burner too
long - yep, I adore it. Add cream and all is right with the world.

5 Things Even My Neighbors
Don't Know About Me...

By the numbers

I grew up free diving for lobsters in the summer time. So if all the businesses flop we can at least eat like royalty! 

I've been starting businesses since my candy side hustle in sixth grade. Until the school put a stop to it. 

Our family toured around New Zealand in a camper van when our kids were 3 years old and 6 months.
Best. Memories. Ever.

We have 17 chickens and Petunia (our oldest barred rock hen) hops onto our laps and closes her eyes in contentment. I had NO idea that chickens were as friendly as dogs.

So where to next?

Let's get you on your way to what you really need - 

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed trying to find straight-forward information on how to level up a specific part of your business?

Look no further. I provide  entrepreneurs just like you guides and workbooks on topic-specific aspects of small business. 

Learn everything from how to get into wholesale to managing your time so you can balance your business & your life.

Update - New workbooks will be released in the app.

Shop Workbooks & More

Explore All of
The Free Resources

Wishing you had someone who you could talk to with your questions about:

  • your business backbone
  • your branding
  • your marketing
  • your wholesale
  • your website

 Book a one hour strategy call with Melissa. 

It's easy, our team will reach out to you to get all of your information prior to the call to make the most of your time and set you up for success!

Book a Strategy Session

We are developing an app where you'll find what you need to grow your small business.

Everything from a community of small business entrepreneurs just like you - to video resources explaining business concepts in simple, straightforward terms.

Right now, the app is limited to the pilot project members only, but we will be opening the app to new members in Q3 of 2024.