BARB BUILT 💗 👑 ✨
Barb Built is a free resource hub created by and for Barbz who want to start or grow a small business. We gather practical, free and low-cost tools — mentorship, trainings, funding guides, and more — so you can move from idea to action without needing a big budget or perfect plan.Plans that don’t fit your real life don’t get followed. Barb Built helps emerging entrepreneurs turn free resources into clear, personal next steps – using both mentors and the people and routines already in your corner.
How to Use This ResourceThis is a free, living collection of resources for Barbz (and anyone else) who want to start or grow a small business using mostly free or very low-cost tools. Everything here is meant to be practical and beginner-friendly. You don’t need a perfect plan or a big budget to get started — just curiosity and the willingness to try a few things. Start by checking out the resource library or looking at the digital templates available to get started.What's in the Resource Library?
The Resource Library is a free-to-access spreadsheet organized into three main sections:
Mentorship & Consulting — Free or low-cost places to talk to real people who can give you advice, review your idea, or help you figure out next steps.
Free Courses & Trainings — Online workshops, self-paced classes, and learning tools that teach practical business skills (no tuition required).
Funding Resources — Guides and education on how to fund a business (grant writing basics, budgeting, understanding loans, etc.), plus links to places that offer capital when you’re ready.
The Resource Library is a living document and will be added to continually. We currently have spreadsheets for: International resources as well as US and Canada-based resources. More resources and more countries will be added as the Barb Built Resource Library is developed.
Turn Your Ideas Into Action
Nicki’s brand and Gag City’s small-business era remind us of something powerful: anyone can build something. It just takes passion and the courage to try. 💗As a professional researcher and small business owner, I’m donating my time to this project because I know collecting resources only helps if you actually have a plan to use them.That’s why I created these digital templates. They’re designed to help Barbz who are starting their own small businesses turn ideas into real, practical action.All templates are available on a free or pay-as-you-wish basis. Use them, adapt them, and make them yours.
Learning Plan TemplateThis template helps you decide what you need to learn and how you’ll learn it so you don’t get stuck in research mode.Use it to map out the skills, knowledge, or tools you need for your business, set realistic learning goals, and track your progress. Perfect when you know you need to grow but aren’t sure where to start.
Support System MapThis template helps you map out the people, communities, and resources you can turn to for advice, accountability, encouragement, or practical help. Fill it out once and keep it somewhere you can see it when things feel hard.Starting a business is easier when you know who has your back.
Small Business RoadmapA simple, visual roadmap that breaks your business idea into clear stages so you know what to do next.Use it to move from “I have an idea” to actual steps: validation, first offers, systems, and growth. It’s flexible enough for different kinds of businesses and helps keep you focused on action instead of overwhelm.