My Ultimate Toolkit for Running a Successful Wholesale Business

My Go-To Resources for Running a Successful Wholesale Business

I often get asked about my favorite resources and tools for running a wholesale business, so I thought I’d put together a little list of my tried-and-true favorites to share with you! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your business game, these resources have been absolute lifesavers for me. Let’s dive in.

E-Commerce Platforms

• Shopify: The ultimate platform for building and scaling your online store. It’s easy to use, highly customizable, and integrates seamlessly with countless apps and tools to help you manage everything from inventory to marketing. If you’re serious about selling online, Shopify is a game-changer.
  

Shipping Supplies & Tools

• ShipStation: This is my go-to for shipping management. ShipStation integrates with most e-commerce platforms (like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon) and helps streamline the shipping process by automating order fulfillment, printing labels, and tracking shipments. It saves so much time and reduces errors. I love that it integrates with most platforms and marketplaces so all our orders and in one place for a seamless customer service.
  

• Rollo Label Printer: The best label printer for high-volume shippers. It’s fast, reliable, and prints professional-quality labels without using ink or toner. Plus, it’s compatible with all major shipping platforms.
  

• Shipping Labels: These thermal labels work like a charm with the Rollo printer and are super cost-effective. They’re smudge-proof and easy to peel, which makes the shipping process even smoother. I get mine from here. They're less expensive than the ones from Rollo and they work just as well. I've tried a few different brands over the years; and these print crisp and clear and are stacked well, so you can print hundreds of orders in one go without having to change the rolls or end up with a mess on the floor because some vendors don't fold them correctly.
  

• Papermart: Great for all things packaging. They’ve got a wide variety of trendy and eco options that help make your products look polished and professional when they arrive at your customers’ doorsteps.
  

• Noissue: For custom packaging that makes your brand stand out. From tissue paper to stickers, you can customize everything to reflect your brand identity. The water activated shipping tape from Vista Print is great of quick and easy way to brand your shipments without the cost of a printed box.
  

• Shipping Boxes: Free shipping supplies (and even free shipping!) can be a real game-changer. USPS Priority Mail offers a variety of free box sizes, which helps keep shipping costs down while looking professional. We ship UPS a ton, so we tend to order from Uline because we get our order the next day, extensive catalog, ease of reordering and everything comes stacked neatly on palettes without excess packaging, but shipping is expensive, so look for a free shipping code 2x a year-- and those catalogs-- ugh. Uline offers volume pricing, so give them a call at 1-800-295-5510 if this applies to you. We also use Amazon or Boxery for our corrugated boxes. For printed shipping boxes, we've used CustomBoxes.io. We order custom printed, fold up box mailers for our subscription boxes, and like Box Up, Pack Sales and Box Up. The price varies on the base; kraft, white or gloss and if you are printing inside, outside or both and the larger the quantity, the less you'll pay per box. You can buy as little as 25 to test a design or for a special promotion. Zebra Boxes offer custom boxes, printed mailers and bubble mailers with great prices. Sign up for company newsletters so you know when they have special promotions, like free shipping.
  

Software and Automation

• Wave: A fantastic, user-friendly tool for invoicing and accounting. This is what I first used when I started out, and it’s great for keeping track of finances without feeling overwhelmed.
  

• QuickBooks: If you’re ready for a step up from Wave, QuickBooks is a robust accounting software that provides advanced bookkeeping and financial management features, perfect for growing businesses.
  

• Zapier: Think of this as your business’s best friend when it comes to automating repetitive tasks. It connects your favorite apps and helps you automate workflows so you can focus on more important things—like growing your business.
  

• Klaviyo: The secret sauce for email marketing! It’s powerful, data-driven, and helps you segment and target your customers like a pro, driving more sales and engagement.
  

• Planoly: For those of us who love an organized feed, Planoly is a social media planning tool that makes scheduling and managing Instagram content a breeze.
  

• Canva: Still my go-to for creating eye-catching social media graphics, line sheets, and marketing materials. It’s super user-friendly and perfect for whipping up professional designs in no time.
  

Inventory Management

• Stock Sync: Perfect for managing inventory across multiple sales channels. It syncs inventory between platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon, making inventory management easy and preventing dreaded overselling.
  

• TradeGecko (QuickBooks Commerce): A robust inventory management system that integrates with Shopify, Xero, and other platforms, helping you keep track of inventory levels, orders, and fulfillment all in one place.
  

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools

• HubSpot CRM: A great free tool to manage your customer relationships, track sales leads, and monitor communications. It’s perfect for keeping everything organized and ensuring no customer falls through the cracks.
  

• Streak for Gmail: If you’re a Gmail user, Streak is a fantastic CRM that integrates directly into your email, helping you manage customer interactions and follow-ups right where you work most.
  

Project Management Tools

• Asana: A great project management tool to keep you organized and on top of all those to-dos. Perfect for teams or solo entrepreneurs who want to stay laser-focused.
  

• Trello: A visual project management tool that’s super easy to use. It’s perfect for organizing your daily tasks, collaborating with team members, and keeping track of progress on larger projects.
  

Additional Helpful Tools

• Flodesk: Another excellent email marketing tool with beautiful templates that make creating stunning emails quick and easy.
  

• Slack: For seamless team communication and collaboration. Even if your team is just you and a virtual assistant, Slack keeps conversations organized and accessible.
  

Honorable Mentions

• G Suite (Google Workspace): For email, cloud storage, document creation, and collaboration. A must-have for staying organized and efficient.
  

• Mailchimp: Great for beginners in email marketing, with easy-to-use features and a free tier that allows you to start building your list without upfront costs.
  

I hope you find this list helpful as you grow and scale your wholesale business. These tools have definitely made my life easier, and I’m excited for you to try them out and see the difference they can make in your day-to-day operations.

I’ll be back in a few days to share my absolute favorite tool for organizing my days as a business owner. Stay tuned. Happy wholesaling! 🛒✨