Edwin

The Edwin journal

Notes for independents and small businesses

Short, practical reading on running a one-person or small business, and on what Edwin is building.

Journal · 4 min read

The Quote That Went Quiet, and What to Do About It

A simple system for following up on quotes that have gone cold, so Canadian small business owners stop losing work to silence.

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Journal · 4 min read

Smoothing Out Slow and Busy Seasons So Cash Flow Holds Steady

Practical ways Canadian small businesses can plan ahead for seasonal swings, so slow months never turn into a cash crunch.

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Journal · 3 min read

Chasing a Quote That's Gone Quiet, Without Sounding Desperate

A practical guide for UK sole traders and small businesses on nudging a client who hasn't replied to a quote, plus how Edwin can do it for you.

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Rules · 4 min read

GST/HST: When a Small Business Has to Register

The small supplier threshold, the two tests the CRA applies, and a worked example of the date you have to start charging GST/HST.

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News · 5 min read

OpenAI has launched Dots: what an always-on assistant means for a small business

OpenAI's new Dots keep working while your laptop is closed. Here is what they do, what to check before you rely on one, and where Edwin fits.

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Calls · 4 min read

Why a missed call costs a tradesperson more than a job

When you're up a ladder or under a sink, the phone doesn't stop ringing. Here's what a missed call actually costs an independent tradesperson, and why answering it isn't the whole fix.

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Quotes · 3 min read

The best time to write a quote is while you're still on site

Most quotes get written hours later, from memory. Here's why writing them during the visit itself changes how often they get accepted, and how much gets left out.

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Rules · 3 min read

What the EU AI Act means for the tools working in your business

Since August 2026, any AI that interacts with people has to say so. Here's what that means in plain terms if you're an independent tradesperson letting software talk to your clients.

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Tools · 3 min read

Phone, email, calendar: why three separate tools cost you jobs

A missed call gets handled. The follow-up email doesn't get written. The calendar doesn't get updated. Here's what falls through when nothing is watching the whole loop.

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