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Field notes and playbooks from the Launch Industries team on bookkeeping, HR, branding, technology, and the real work of running a small business.

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LatestTechnology

Build It or Rent It: What an Online Course Platform Really Costs

Teachable, Circle, Thinkific, or build your own? The subscription math is the easy part. Here is the question that actually decides whether your course makes money.

Monica ColganOct 15, 20265 min read
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MarketingTechnology

Backlinks: What They Are, What Actually Works, and What to Stop Paying For

Most backlink advice is either too vague to act on or designed to sell you something. Here is what actually moves the needle for a small business, and what to skip.

Monica Colgan · Oct 11, 2026 · 7 min
Organization DevelopmentOperations Consulting

What Is a RACI Matrix? A Simple Way to Fix Role Confusion

"I thought you were handling that" is a role clarity problem, not a people problem. Here's what a RACI matrix is, why it fixes dropped balls and duplicated work, and how to build one for your team.

Monica Colgan · Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min
Human Resources

You're Probably Overpaying for HR (Or Underpaying for the Right Kind)

Most small businesses don't need a full-time senior HR manager. They need to stop paying manager-level rates for coordinator-level work. Here's how to tell the difference, and what to do about it.

Monica Colgan · Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min
BusinessCommunity

Seattle's ABC Program: Free Business Consulting, and We Still Have Room for You

The City of Seattle will pay for up to 40 hours of business consulting for eligible small businesses and nonprofits. Here is what that actually looks like, what it has done for 394 Seattle businesses so far, and how to apply.

Monica Colgan · Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min
BusinessTechnology

Before You Spend on SEO, Fix Your First Impression

Visibility work only pays off once there is something worth converting people into clients. Here is when to fix your first impression before you pay to be found.

Monica Colgan · Sep 25, 2026 · 3 min
Business

Social Media Management Isn't Worth It Without an Ad Budget

The market is crowded, real content costs real time and money, and without ad spend behind it, organic posts rarely move the numbers that matter.

Monica Colgan · Sep 24, 2026 · 2 min
HR & EmploymentComplianceWorkplace Culture

Your Employees Are Managing Menopause at Work. Here's What You Can Do About It.

Washington's new executive order puts menopause equity on the radar for every employer in the state. Here's what small business owners and managers need to know, and what to do next.

Monica Colgan · Jul 24, 2026 · 5 min
Human Resources

Is Your HR Holding Your Small Business Back? Here's How to Find Out.

Most small business owners don't think about HR until something goes wrong. A proactive HR audit — mapped to the eight stages of the Employee Life Cycle — can help you spot risk before it becomes a problem, and build a workplace people actually want to stay in.

Monica Colgan · Jul 9, 2026 · 7 min
Organization Development

What We Actually Mean When We Say "People First"

Every company claims to care about its people. We'd rather show you what that actually looks like on a Wednesday afternoon. A look inside the real culture at Launch Industries.

Monica Colgan · Jun 26, 2026 · 7 min
TechnologyStartup Support

How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business in Seattle? (2026 Price Guide)

Website prices in Seattle range from $200 a year to $25,000 or more. Here is what each tier actually costs, what you get, and how to figure out which option fits your business.

Monica Colgan · Jun 20, 2026 · 8 min
Startup Support

LLC, Nonprofit, Sole Prop, or Partnership: How to Choose the Right Structure for Your Washington Business

The business structure you choose affects your taxes, your personal liability, and how you operate every day. Here is a practical comparison to help you make the right call.

Monica Colgan · Jun 17, 2026 · 6 min
Operations Consulting

5 Red Flags to Watch Before You Work With a Washington Business

Before you sign a contract or write a check, here are five warning signs to look for when researching a Washington business and how to spot them quickly.

Launch Industries · Jun 17, 2026 · 5 min
Startup Support

What to Call Yourself: Common Titles and Roles Across LLCs, Nonprofits, Sole Proprietorships, and Partnerships

Not sure what title goes in your operating agreement or on your business card? Here is a plain-English guide to common roles across the four most popular business structures.

Launch Industries · Jun 17, 2026 · 7 min
Business

A Letter from the Founder: To Every Entrepreneur, Nonprofit Leader, and Dreamer

Most consulting firms were not built for you. Here is what we actually do differently, and why it matters.

Monica Colgan · Jun 17, 2026 · 4 min
FinanceBusiness

5 Ways to Manage Cash Flow When Summer Gets Uneven

Summer revenue is feast or famine for a lot of small businesses. Five practical moves — from knowing your Q3 number to building a 30-day buffer — to stay ahead of the seasonal squeeze.

Kate Clay · Jun 12, 2026 · 4 min
TechnologyBusiness

The Summer Cybersecurity Checkup Every Small Business Should Do Before August

Staff turnover, remote work, and busy-season distraction create security gaps. A 30-minute checkup — 2FA, access audits, a password manager, updates, and a phishing drill — blocks most attacks.

Kate Clay · Jun 12, 2026 · 4 min
Artificial IntelligenceBranding

Your Brand in the Age of AI: How Design Tokens Keep Everything Updated

When people hear we use AI for branding, they picture a logo generator. The real power is design tokens: one brand source that AI can push into your website, decks, invoices, contracts, and more, and update everywhere at once.

Monica Colgan · May 29, 2026 · 6 min
BrandingMarketing

Same Brand Everywhere: Why Consistency Wins Customers

When your colors, fonts, and logo shift across your website, social media, and print, it quietly costs you. Here is what a documented brand system is, in plain language, and why it matters for a small business.

Monica Colgan · May 28, 2026 · 7 min
Human Resources

How to Hire Summer Employees Without the Headaches

A practical guide for small businesses bringing on seasonal and summer staff: planning headcount, classifying workers correctly, hiring minors, payroll setup, wage and hour rules, and fast onboarding.

Kate Clay · May 28, 2026 · 7 min
Community

Meet the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

NWIRP aids asylum seekers with legal support, asylum applications, and deportation defense. Learn more.

Autumn Lovewell · Mar 15, 2026 · 3 min
Human Resources

ICHRA, Explained: Flexible Health Benefits for Small Teams

Discover how ICHRA helps small businesses offer flexible, affordable healthcare options for employees

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Business

Entity vs. License: What You Actually Need to Register a Business

Clarifying SOS, DOR, EIN, & more

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Finance

Stop Fraud and Surprise Charges Before They Drain Your Account

Secure your finances with Brex: prevent fraud, manage subscriptions, and streamline spending easily

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Business

Reimagining Failure: Turning Mistakes Into Momentum

Turning mistakes into learning opportunities to foster growth, inclusivity, and teamwork.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 5 min
Management

Payroll, Decoded: The Terms and Policies Every Owner Should Know

Learn essential payroll terms, policies, and tips to help employees understand their pay with confidence.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 7 min
Human Resources

The Hidden Cost of Employee Churn (and How to Cut It)

Discover how to reduce employee churn to cut HR costs, boost productivity, and improve retention.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Business

Is Social Media Still Worth It for Small Businesses?

Discover if social media is still effective for small businesses and learn strategies to adapt and stay relevant

Autumn Lovewell · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Human Resources

Protecting Undocumented Workers: What Employers Can Do

Migrant workers face risks. Employers can assist with safety plans, legal aid, training, and Red Cards.

Autumn Lovewell · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Community

Hey, Black Seattle! Backing Black-Owned Business

Discover why Launch Industries proudly supports Hey Black Seattle's Black-owned business directory.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 3 min
Community

City of Angels: How to Support LA's Fire Victims

Our hearts go out to LA fire victims. Support 850+ Black families via GoFundMe. Donate and share.

Autumn Lovewell · Mar 15, 2026 · 2 min
Human Resources

Supporting Muslim Employees During Ramadan: A Guide to Inclusion

Learn how to support Muslim employees during Ramadan and foster inclusivity in the workplace.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Management

The 8 Deadly Wastes Quietly Draining Your Business

Practical tips and insights to help small business owners boost efficiency, innovate, and grow successfully!

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 7 min
Human Resources

Accommodations Aren't Special Treatment. They're Equal Opportunity.

Accommodations are not special treatment

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Technology

Why We're All-In on Nutshell CRM

Discover why we use Nutshell CRM at Launch Industries and explore its newest features for business growth.

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min
Business

Sole Proprietorship or LLC? How to Choose the Right Structure

How to Choose Between a Sole Proprietorship and an LLC

Monica Colgan · Mar 15, 2026 · 6 min