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Let’s be honest — most of us didn’t start our creative business or freelance career because we love spreadsheets (I mean, I do, but I have a feeling I am in the minority here).

But time? It’s the one resource we can’t get enough of. Whether you’re running a small business, managing multiple clients, or balancing creative projects with admin work, keeping track of where your hours actually go can be a game-changer.

That’s where ManicTime comes in.

When our Team member Aaron tried it, he summed up his experience in one sentence:

Unlike most time trackers, ManicTime works in the background. It quietly records what apps you’re using, what documents you’re editing, and how long you’re on each project — without you needing to start and stop timers. It’s time tracking for people who forget to time track.

Aaron had tried everything before — manual timers, planners, you name it. But ManicTime simplified the whole process:

“It’s so, so easy. It tracks everything you’re doing on your laptop, but then it also gives you the option of, let’s say I went out in the field and did something — I can go back to that day and block out that time and still tag it with whatever task I was doing, charge it as billable, and then at the end of the day you can sort all of your tasks by billable or non-billable.”

For artists, it means finally being able to show clients how long that “simple” design tweak really took.
For freelancers, it means you can price your projects with confidence.
For entrepreneurs, it’s insight into your daily workflow — where your focus thrives and where it leaks away.

Here’s why we like it for startWorks users:

• Automatic Tracking: No more interruptions to hit “start” and “stop.”

• Offline Capability: Keeps tracking even when you’re working in remote areas or sketching offline.

• Privacy-Focused: All data stays on your device unless you choose to sync it — perfect for those who value digital independence.

• Insightful Reports: Visual timelines help you see your productivity patterns (and procrastination moments).

In short: if you’ve ever looked up from your workday wondering, “Where did my time go?” — ManicTime can tell you.

🔒 Ready to Go Deeper?

👀 Want to know how we use that data to actually make more time — not just track it?
That’s what the next part’s all about.

→ Keep reading for our full deep dives, practical examples, and smart ways to stay ahead—upgrade your membership to unlock the full post. You’ll also get access to our exclusive archive and new posts every week!

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October 1st, 2025 marked four years since the soft launch of art|Works Initiative. The spark in the pot that would eventually grow into what we now know as startWorks!

2021 feels like eons ago. I am sure many share that sentiment.

For reference, in 2021, I was 17 years old and a senior in high school… so…

When we began as art|Works, our mission was to give independent artists the support they needed to thrive. We focused on bridging the gap between creativity and sustainable productivity to reach a version of life where artists weren’t just surviving but thriving.

Over these four years, we’ve seen transformation not only in the artists we serve, but in ourselves!

✨ From art|works to startWorks

First and foremost, our team grew! That is why I am here, writing to you right now! Not only that, our understanding of what our community needs developed. This growth led us to reimagine our identity and expand our vision.

We no longer only serve artists, but entrepreneurs, micro business owners, startups, and anyone who needs help getting off the ground. Today, as startWorks, we are proud to stand as a hub of resources where our community can access support that is practical, innovative, and tailored to them.

✨ Evolving resources

We have adapted to shifting trends in business, social media, and technology to ensure our support always stays relevant. We are proud to promote our financial, marketing, and technological support to all of those who need it. Our team of experts is always innovating to bring the best and the brightest to our clients.

✨ Community impact

Through every stage, one thing has remained constant: our belief in the power of creativity to change and enrich lives and communities.

We have seen artists elevate their ‘side hustles’ into sustainable businesses, small ventures find new audiences, and connections blossom into collaborations that inspire us every day.

Looking ahead…

Four years ago, art|Works was an idea taking root in the ground. Today, as startWorks, we are more energized than ever to continue building, adapting, and championing the people we serve.

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to thank every artist, entreprenuer, partner, team member, and supporter who has been apart of our journey. We never would have started without you!

Here’s to four years of growth and to many more ahead. Let’s keep building, creating, and starting, together.

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With Pinterest at my side, I fell in love with vision boards! I would start adding pins to a board during the previous month and then throw them together into a Canva document and call it a day.

But after a while, I noticed that My boards were beautiful… but they weren’t changing anything about the way I lived my life. I was pinning inspiration without turning it into action. Month after month, the images became very similar — and my progress was going no where significant.

Why Vision Boards Often Go Stagnant

Vision boards are beautiful and inspiring, but often fall short of their purpose. They’re aspirational, not operational — a map with no directions. They focus on the what without the how, offering images without the concrete steps to make them real. And they can trick your brain into feeling accomplished just by imagining the goal, releasing dopamine without you taking action.

Neuroscientists have found that when we imagine a goal in vivid detail, our brains release dopamine — the same feel-good chemical we get from real progress. The result? You might feel satisfied just picturing your future… without ever building it.

Introducing the Action Board

An Action Board flips the script. Instead of being a wish list of what you hope will happen, it’s a blueprint for what you’re committed to making happen.

On an action board, each photo or element has a clear connection to a task, a habit, or a timeline. It’s not just “I want to travel more” — it’s “Book a weekend trip by April” or “Set aside $200 a month for travel.”

Dreamy “someday” imagery is swapped for tangible, measurable goals. You still get the visual inspiration, but it’s grounded in proof of progress — things you can check off, update, and celebrate along the way.

How This Benefits You

By turning goals into a plan, you are setting yourself up for success. Often times, the biggest speedbump to achievement is the nitty-gritty detail planning. By turning you vision board into an action board, you can identify all of the small details you need to get in order to achieve short and long term goals.

This process keeps you accountable, it shows your progress in a visually pleasing way, and it helps keep your motivation high when you hit roadblocks along the way.

But, What Does it Look Like?

Honestly… whatever works best for you!

I make my action boards in Canva, I choose images that describe states of being that I am actively stepping towards or goals in my career I am embodying. I make it my computer background, my desktop lock screen, so I am always reminded of where I am going.

But your Action board can be physical too; it can be a page in your planner, or a cork board on your wall. The best part of the process is that it is completely customizable to you.

🔒 Ready to Go Deeper?

Want to know an in depth look into Action boards, motivational content, and avoiding toxic positivity?

→ Keep reading for our full deep dives, practical examples, and smart ways to stay ahead—upgrade your membership to unlock the full post. You'll also get access to our exclusive archive and new posts every week!

💡 Love what you just read? We do this and so much more at startWorks!
👉 Interested in joining? We cannot wait to meet you! Fill out this form to be contacted by one of our concierge. Ready to jump right in? Visit https://buy.stripe.com/5kA8zh9UGaRA1ri9AL to join.

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Whether you're running your business alone or starting to build a team, there are a few key laws and regulations that every micro and small business owner really should know. We're not here to scare you—we're here to make this stuff make sense (and maybe even kind of interesting? Let’s see.)

Quick & Dirty: What Laws Should Be on Your Radar?

Employment Laws (FMLA, minimum wage, overtime)

Do you have people working for you—even part-time or seasonally? You’ve got legal obligations.
You’ll need to make sure you're paying at least minimum wage, following overtime rules, and staying compliant with state and federal laws about things like family leave (under the FMLA) and safe working conditions. Even if you’re hiring independent contractors or interns, misclassification can get you into hot water fast.

Heads up: These rules vary by state, and “just a helper” is still a worker in the eyes of the law.

Tax Regulations (Self-employment tax, 1099s, sales tax)

Whether you’re a one-person show or have a full crew, taxes are part of this situation.
You might owe self-employment tax, need to collect and remit sales tax on what you sell, or send 1099s to any independent contractors you’ve paid over a certain amount. It’s all about knowing who you pay, how you pay them, and what you owe the government—before tax season sneaks up on you.

Bonus tip: You may need to file quarterly, not just once a year.

Privacy & Data (CCPA, GDPR, and other state-specific rules)

If you collect personal info—like emails, addresses, phone numbers, or purchase history—privacy laws probably apply to you.
Regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or Europe’s GDPR require you to disclose what you collect, why you collect it, and how users can opt out. Even if you're not in California or the EU, if your customers are, you could still be on the hook.

Translation: You need a clear privacy policy.

Accessibility (ADA compliance)

This is a big one and it affects more aspects of your business than you may think on the surface. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) isn’t just for big corporations.
If you’ve got a physical storefront, office, or event space, it needs to be accessible to folks with disabilities (think ramps, clear signage, and accessible bathrooms). If you’re online-only, your website might still need to meet certain standards—like screen reader compatibility and readable text.

Rule of thumb: If someone with a disability couldn’t reasonably access your business, it’s time to make some changes.

Local Licensing & Zoning

Just because you can run your business from home doesn’t mean it’s automatically legal.
You might need a business license, home occupancy permit, or zoning approval depending on what you do and where you do it. Selling food? Hosting events? Operating heavy equipment? That usually triggers extra requirements. Cities and townships have their own rules—and yes, they will check.

Best move: Call your local township or municipal office before you get too deep.

Why This Matters

Staying informed about the legal landscape isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about protecting your business, building trust with customers, and setting yourself up for long-term growth. When you understand the rules, you can make smarter decisions, avoid expensive mistakes, and feel more confident as you build.

🔒 Ready to Go Deeper?

Want to know how these laws actually affect you—and what small business owners are doing to stay compliant without breaking the bank?

→ Keep reading for our full deep dives, practical examples, and smart ways to stay ahead—upgrade your membership to unlock the full post. You'll also get access to our exclusive archive and new posts every week!

💡 Love what you just read? We do this and so much more at art|Works!
👉 Interested in joining? We cannot wait to meet you! Fill out this form to be contacted by one of our concierge. Ready to jump right in? Visit https://buy.stripe.com/5kA8zh9UGaRA1ri9AL to join.

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Soft gradients, bold lettering — we’re embracing a fresh look that still feels like home. If you’ve been here a while, you might notice the shift: it’s intentional, it’s playful, and it’s just the be…

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