As someone who works for myself, this article is close to my heart. I hand picked these gifts for business owners based on things that I find useful, and that I am sure they will appreciate. I thought about gifts like personalized stationery and business cards, but to tell the truth, a business owner will want to choose those for themselves. And who uses stationery anymore? Most correspondence is done electronically. Because of this, I tried to include some useful modern techy gadgets, as well as business books and classes.
Even if they have been in business for a while, things change. Keep them up to date with these gifts, so they won’t go the way of the dinosaur.
1. Business Masterclass
Best gifts for business owners
Give the gift of knowledge. They can learn business strategy and leadership from Bob Iger, sales and persuasion with Daniel Pink, or advertising and creativity with Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein. With the subscription, they will have access to as many classes as they want. Not just business classes either, they can take writing, cooking, or even learn to sing. So it will be a great time to pick up a new hobby! I am thinking of signing up to learn guitar and meditation.
Or if you prefer giving them a one time class, choose from the many online business courses through Udemy. They can learn how to improve communication, get trained in Microsoft, or learn leadership skills, to name a few.
If they are more of a reader, get them some best selling books to hone their skills and learn some useful tips.
2. Boss Lady Candle
Gifts for female business owners
For when she needs a few minutes to collect her thoughts, give her a boss lady candle to replenish her confidence.
That’s fine for the office, but when she gets home she will prefer having a glass of wine in her boss wine glass.
Being successful in business is tough, but females have to work even harder to get ahead. Give her a luxury spa basket to relax and wash away the office for a few hours.
3. Accounting Software
Gifts for small business owners
While a medium to large business will have an accountant who will recommend software for record keeping, a small business owner is probably cutting costs and doing it themselves. Unless they have an eidetic memory and are a genius at math, they will need some accounting software to help them out. Just make sure to ask which program they prefer.
Depending on what type of business they have, they may need an order book. While a lot of orders are done online, many hand crafters still use an actual book for orders. Some small shops use physical order books too.
Sometimes people who work with their hands prefer the feel of something tangible. If your small business owner is one of these people, they may also need an income and expense log book
4. Adjustable Desk
Gifts for business owners who work from home
Sitting all day is bad for the back and shoulders, not to mention circulation. An adjustable desk lets them alternate between standing and sitting. They can adjust the desk while sitting so they won’t hit their knees if they have a mini bike exerciser underneath.
For those times when they are sitting, they will need an ergonomic chair for better lumbar support.
Or you can get them a kneeling chair which improves posture and circulation.
5. Phone Charging Padfolio
Gift ideas for business owners for conferences
Nobody can live without their cell phones nowadays. That goes double for people in business. Missing a text, message, or email could cost them tons of money. Due to the demands placed on phones, they don’t hold a charge as long as they used to. While that’s fine at the office, it doesn’t work at business meetings where they need to access valuable information. These padfolios have a built in phone charger, plus keep necessary documents in one place.
Another modern gadget is the Rocket reusable notebook. It comes with its own pen. When the meeting is done, they can upload the notes to cloud storage. Then they just erase the notebook with the cloth provided, and use it again. No more wasting paper or having their pen run out of ink in the middle of recording important ideas.
Depending on the type of business they have, a fingerprint lock notebook can be good for keeping sensitive information private.
6. Engraved Desk Plaque
Personalized gifts for business owners
Make them feel like they made it, with a personalized desk plaque.
Or get a personalized business sign to hang on the wall of their shop or office.
While a lot of custom office supplies should be left up to the business owner, custom pens are a great gift for new business owners to spread the word.
7. Fancy Decanter
Christmas gifts for business owners
These look elegant whether used at home to celebrate a successful business venture, or at the office to seal the deal.
A monogrammed laptop bag will be important for taking work back and forth or for traveling.
A portable charger will also be useful while traveling to keep devices up to speed. They don’t want their phone to die while waiting for an important message.
8. Books on How to Run a Business
Gifts for new business owners
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of sound guidance when starting a business. They may know a lot about their product or service, but unless they have an MBA, these books are a necessary reference.
If they run a primarily cash business, a money counter machine will come in handy. These not only count bills but can identify counterfeit money too.
They will also thank you for a subscription to a business magazine, whether in print or digital. Even once they have a lucrative business, it is important to stay up to date.
9. Hover Pen
Novelty gifts for entrepreneurs
These pens defy gravity. Spin them during a work break, and they won’t fall down.
Or get them some office supplies. Try an unusual stapler in the shape of a shoe or a dog. Get a unique tape dispenser that looks like a cassette tape or an alligator. Or give them novelty paper clips in the shape of animals or music notes.
So they don’t have to get up to reheat cold coffee, get them a coffee warmer to keep on their desk.
10. Whiteboard for the Wall
Good gifts for new business owners
A white board is great for expressing ideas in meetings or even for brainstorming at home. Get them some dry erase markers with erasers too.
You can also get some shower notes. These are great for jotting down ideas while bathing.
For home businesses, a Ring video doorbell will be helpful to view visitors, or to see when a package is delivered.
Noise canceling headphones are great for tuning out office distractions.
11. Single Cup Coffee Maker
Best gifts for small business owners
My husband recently switched jobs and went to work for a small business. As the office staff grew, the owner had to keep purchasing additional appliances. A single cup coffee maker will have less clean up and less waste than a traditional pot.
Other basic appliances are a microwave and a minifridge with a freezer. These improve productivity because employees can store and heat up their lunch without leaving the office.
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