Why Every Small Business Needs a CRM Like 17hats

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve likely experienced the overwhelm—sticky notes everywhere, email chains that go on for days, and that sinking feeling that you’re forgetting something important.

Maybe it’s a client follow-up. Maybe an invoice. Maybe you promised to send a proposal, and it completely slipped your mind. (Ever been there? Worst feeling ever!)

The problem? You don’t have a system, or to be more accurate…you have a system, but it’s NOT working.

What you need is a CRM (Client Relationship Management system). And if you’re wondering, “Do I really need one?” The answer is simple: If you work with clients, Yes! yes, you do.

Let’s talk about why having a CRM is a game-changer and why 17hats is the CRM I swear by.

What a CRM Actually Does for You

A CRM is like having an extra brain for your business. Here’s how it helps:

✔ Keeps all your client info in one place (no more digging through emails)

✔ Automates follow-ups so you never ghost a lead again

✔ Simplifies booking, contracts, and invoicing (clients can sign & pay in minutes!)

✔ Creates workflows to streamline your processes

✔ Gives you back HOURS each week so you can focus on what actually makes you money

Think about it: How much time do you spend chasing paperwork, manually responding to emails, or remembering what comes next? If you had a system doing that for you, what could you focus on instead?

Why I Recommend 17hats

There are plenty of CRMs out there, but I’ve been using 17hats for years, and here’s why I love it:

🔹 Everything’s in one place (contacts, invoicing, contracts, scheduling, and workflows—no need for five different apps)

🔹 Super intuitive and user-friendly (even if you’re not techy)

🔹 Automates client interactions so you can onboard and nurture leads without lifting a finger

🔹 Affordable for small businesses without a huge learning curve

In short, it does everything you need, without making your life more complicated.

How to Get Started (Without Overwhelm)

1️⃣ Start with my FREE CRM Starter Kit – It’ll walk you through some important things you’ll want to know before setting up and optimizing a CRM for your business. Grab it here!

2️⃣ Pick ONE thing to automate first – Whether it’s your lead capture, invoicing, or onboarding process, start small.

3️⃣ Use templates & workflows – This is where the magic happens. I’ve even created pre-built 17hats templates to help you save time and get to work even faster. Check out my online store here.

Final Thoughts: If You Want to Grow, You Need a CRM

Running your business without a CRM is like trying to build a house without a blueprint. Eventually, things will fall through the cracks.

The sooner you set up a system, the more time and energy you’ll save. And if you want a head start, grab my FREE CRM Starter Kit so you can get organized and make the most of your time right from the start!

🔗 Download the CRM Starter Kit Here

If You Need or Want Help

If you feel like you need a little guidance to help you get started or just want someone to take the wheel and do the heavy lifting for you, I’m here for you. You absolutely can set up 17hats on your own, but there are also a lot of advantages to having some guidance and help along the way. Please don’t beat your head against the wall trying to figure it out! I offer a free Discovery call to chat about your needs and see if I can help. If it makes sense, great! If not, that’s ok too, but I want you to know you have options!

You might also like…

• Say Hello to Organization and Goodbye to Chaos with 17hats
• Master Your CRM System Setup with this Must-Do Prep Work
• Small Business Success: Crafting Business Processes that Work

If you’re interested in learning more about how 17hats can help you in your business, you can start with a 7 day free trial, which you will find at www.17hats.com. Just click on Start Your 7-Day Trial. Once the trial is over, or you’re ready to purchase, you’ll want to use my referral code, debmitzel, at checkout to get 50% off your first year of membership. 😊

Or, if you are ready to purchase right away without doing the trial, you can use my referral link to sign up and get the discount: https://referrals.17hats.com/card/debmitzel

Deb Mitzel is Your 17hats Guide—an experienced Small Business Operations Consultant and Coach, as well as a 17hats Implementation Specialist. With a passion for empowering small business owners, Deb specializes in helping clients reclaim their time so they can focus on building businesses that support their personal and professional dreams. Deb believes in creating an Integrated Life—a harmony where your business and personal life work together to serve you best. She knows that with the right systems, strategies, and a little guidance, you can build a business that is a blessing, not a burden. If you’re ready to simplify your processes and maximize your impact with 17hats or other tailored strategies, Deb offers a Free Discovery Call to explore how she can help. Click below to schedule your call and take the first step toward turning your vision into reality.

Schedule Discovery Call

Disclaimer: Some of the links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.  Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.