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Wanauma Graham has been immersed in solopreneurship for a long time. Before striking gold on her own, she was a sales manager and trainer for a wireless giant. She went on to found BF Media, a productivity brand for women solopreneurs and a valuable resource if you're looking to grow your woman-owned small business. Here, Wanauma shares her thoughts on what it takes to be a solopreneur and the practice that helped her stay organized and focused on the bag.
She writes...
With a background as a sales manager and trainer, I come from top sales environments where whiteboards were used to track daily sales results and rank sales representatives. They were prominently displayed in backroom high traffic areas where sales reps walked by throughout the day to get a quick glance and update their results for everyone to see.
It was our version of "water cooler talk". We gathered around the whiteboard for sales meetings, quick chats, and 1:1 weekly sales reviews. That sort of in-your-face sales tracking is old school, but it was and still is super effective.
I'm all about doing for myself and my business, what I would do for an employer, and much more. I owe myself that. Tracking my daily sales and KPI's is one of those transferrable skills that has helped me stay focused and on target.
Imagine walking into your office every day, greeted by a clear and visually engaging space that instantly gives you direction. The beauty of a whiteboard is that it’s more than just a practical tool—it can also enhance your office aesthetic, but more on that later. I'll show you how to turn a clunky white board into a chic and stylish focal point in your office. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform a basic whiteboard into a sleek, polished piece that complements your workspace and adds to your productivity vibe.
Stay tuned, and I’ll walk you through how to elevate this essential tool without sacrificing style!
But first, here's how a whiteboard can help you be a better solopreneur:
If you’re a woman solopreneur juggling multiple projects, a whiteboard might just become your new favorite productivity tool. Not only is it an excellent tool for brainstorming, but it can also help you keep track of your daily sales, set clear goals, and prioritize your to-do lists in a way that keeps your workflow organized and focused.
01
Brainstorming Sessions
When it comes to brainstorming, a whiteboard offers endless possibilities. There’s something about the large, open space that encourages free-flowing ideas, without the pressure of having to write neatly or in perfect order. Whether you’re mapping out a new marketing campaign or sketching the next product launch, you can throw all your ideas down in a way that feels more natural and less restrictive. Plus, it’s a breeze to rearrange or erase when you come up with something better. That kind of fluidity can spark creativity and help you connect dots in ways that you might not have thought of when working on paper or in a digital doc.
02
Daily Sales Tracking
For daily sales tracking, a whiteboard is the perfect visual reminder of where you stand, right in front of you. It’s not just a passive record of numbers—it’s an active tool that lets you see your progress, adjust goals in real time, and stay motivated. When you have your sales goals written on your whiteboard, you can break them down into smaller, achievable targets, making it easier to track your progress throughout the day. Each time you hit a milestone, you get that satisfying visual cue that you're moving forward. This tangible tracking system can keep you focused and help you celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small.
03
Setting Clear Goals
Setting clear goals is a lot easier when you can visualize them. With a whiteboard, you can literally see your goals in front of you every day. Whether it’s your revenue target for the month or a personal development goal, writing it out and placing it in a prominent spot keeps it top of mind. The act of writing things down is proven to help you commit to them, and when you see them every time you sit at your desk, it reinforces that commitment. You can also break larger goals into smaller steps or milestones on the same board, giving you a clear roadmap to follow, and making even the most ambitious goals feel more attainable.
04
Prioritize To-Dos
As for prioritizing your to-do list, there’s no better way to organize your day than with a whiteboard. You can easily categorize tasks by urgency, set deadlines, and cross off items as you go. The beauty of a whiteboard is that it’s flexible—nothing’s set in stone. If you need to shuffle tasks around or reprioritize, it’s as simple as grabbing a marker and adjusting. It’s also a great way to keep track of longer-term projects without letting them slip through the cracks. Having your to-do list in front of you, clearly organized, and updated daily ensures that you’re always focused on what matters most to move your business forward.
Here's a Visually Simple Layout
A whiteboard layout for sales tracking should be visually simple, easy to update, and designed to keep your goals front and center. Here’s a sample layout that you can use for tracking sales, broken down into sections that can help you stay organized and motivated:
1. Title: "Sales Tracker"
At the top, clearly label your whiteboard with something like "Sales Tracker" or "Monthly Sales Goals" so that it’s immediately obvious what the whiteboard is for.
2. Sales Goal for the Month
Section Name: Monthly Sales Goal
A large section at the top where you can write your sales target for the month (e.g., "$10,000 in Sales").
You could leave a space to show progress towards that goal. For example, using a large bar or thermometer that you can fill in with markers as you hit milestones.
Example Layout:
“Goal: $10,000”
Draw a simple thermometer or progress bar next to it that fills up as you approach your goal.
3. Daily/Weekly Sales Breakdown
Section Name: Sales by Day/Week
Divide the board into small blocks for each day of the week or each week of the month (depending on your sales cycle). This helps you break down your larger goal into manageable chunks.
For each day/week, you’ll track your actual sales and compare them to your goal.
Example Layout:
For each day of the week, write down the sales target (e.g., "$500 in Sales") and track the actual sales next to it (e.g., "$450").
Day Target Actual Sales Difference
Monday $500 $450 -$50
Tuesday $500 $600 +$100
Wednesday $500 $475 -$25
Thursday $500 $525 +$25
Friday $500 $550 +$50
Saturday $500 $450 -$50
Sunday $500 $600 +$100
You can update this daily and see where you need to catch up or where you’ve exceeded expectations.
4. Weekly/Monthly Totals
Section Name: Weekly Total or Cumulative Sales
Below the daily breakdown, have a section where you add up your sales totals for the week or month. This will give you an at-a-glance view of your overall progress toward your monthly sales goal.
Example Layout:
“Week 1 Total: $3,000”
“Week 2 Total: $4,000”
And so on, or for daily tracking: "Monthly Total" where you add all the actual sales at the end of the month.
5. High-Priority Focus or "Top Sales Priority"
Section Name: Top Sales Priority
A small section where you list specific sales goals or top-performing products you want to focus on. For example, if there’s a high-ticket product or a promotion, you can dedicate space here to track sales specifically for that item or promotion.
Example Layout:
“Focus: Product A” (and note how many sales you’ve made so far).
6. Sales Milestones and Incentives
Section Name: Milestones & Rewards
Have a section where you celebrate milestones (e.g., “First $500 Sale,” “Reached $5,000 in sales”). This could also include any incentive structure—like a reward for hitting a certain sales figure.
Example Layout:
“$2,000 in Sales = Free Coffee!”
“$5,000 in Sales = Dinner Out!”
This serves as an added motivational boost, reinforcing the idea that you’re working toward both business and personal rewards.
7. Notes or Adjustments Section
Section Name: Notes/Adjustments
Leave a small space at the bottom where you can jot down notes like promotions, adjustments, or strategies to hit your goals. This could be helpful for quickly noting insights, like “Sales dropped last week due to slow season” or “Try new marketing tactic next week.”
Example Layout for a Sales Tracking Whiteboard:
Title: Sales Tracker
Monthly Goal: $10,000
Day Target Sales Actual Sales Difference
Monday $500 $450 -$50
Tuesday $500 $600 +$100
Wednesday $500 $475 -$25
Thursday $500 $525 +$25
Friday $500 $550 +$50
Saturday $500 $450 -$50
Sunday $500 $600 +$100
Weekly Total: $3,100
Top Sales Priority: Product A
Milestones & Rewards:
$2,000 in sales = Treat yourself to coffee!
$5,000 in sales = Dinner date!
Notes/Adjustments:
Focus on Facebook Ads next week.
Review product pricing after $5,000 in sales.
This layout is both simple and functional, helping you track your sales and progress toward your goals while keeping the layout visually organized and easy to update each day or week. The key is to make it customizable based on what works best for your workflow while staying visually clear and motivating!
Now, as promised...
Level Up Your Whiteboard Aesthetic
Visualize a gold-framed whiteboard hanging on your wall, blending seamlessly with your décor, while also serving as the perfect spot to track goals, jot down ideas, and stay organized. It's not just about functionality—it's about creating an environment that inspires you every day.
Framing your whiteboard with a gold picture frame can turn it from a basic office necessity into a chic part of your workspace. A simple gold frame adds a touch of elegance, elevating the look of your office while maintaining the functionality you need.
Whether it’s tracking your goals, brainstorming new ideas, or keeping your daily tasks in check, a framed whiteboard can be a stylish yet practical addition to any solopreneur's office.
Plus, with just a few supplies, you can create a workspace that blends organization with style—keeping you motivated and on top of your game.
A whiteboard doesn’t have to be a clunky, unattractive object on your wall. With a little creativity, you can frame it in a chic way to fit seamlessly into your office decor. A simple gold picture frame can elevate the look and make it feel like a stylish part of your workspace rather than an afterthought. Framing your whiteboard not only adds a touch of elegance but also gives it a more polished, intentional look. It’s a way to blend form and function, making your office both productive and visually appealing.
Setting up your whiteboard is easy—start by deciding what’s most important for you to track. Do you need a daily sales tracker? A space to jot down your goals for the week? Or maybe a list of your top priorities for the day? The beauty of a whiteboard is that it’s entirely customizable to suit your business needs. Once you've figured out what to track, grab a few colorful markers to add some personality, and don’t forget to have a good eraser on hand for when things change (and they always do!). You can even color-code your to-do lists or sales goals to make them pop and keep your office looking vibrant and fresh.
Of course, setting up the perfect whiteboard isn't just about the supplies—it’s about creating a space that works for you. Whether you’re keeping track of your goals, brainstorming new ideas, or jotting down quick reminders, having your whiteboard in a place where it’s easy to access and view will keep you on track throughout the day. And when your workspace feels intentional and aligned with your style, you’ll find it’s much easier to stay motivated and productive.
To help you create the perfect chic whiteboard setup, I’ve linked to some of my favorite supplies below. With a few simple tools, you can transform your whiteboard from a basic office necessity to a stylish and functional part of your workspace.
Follow @WANAUMAGRAHAM
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Wanauma Graham is the founder and EIC of BF Media, and creator of the Solopreneur Success System™. Her book, 'Totally Unstoppable: Get Unstuck, Stop Putting Your Dreams on Hold, and Boldly Become the Woman You Were Made to Be' is available now. Follow @WanaumaGraham.
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