Heart Be Your Guide

This isn’t where we tell you who we are.

It’s where we share why we believe the right connections can change everything.

Helping small businesses thrive through trusted connections.

Two black and white puppies lying on a hardwood floor in a bright home office with a corkboard wall, computer desks, office chairs, and a window with a curtain, in a cozy, well-lit space.

Heart Be Your Guide began with a simple belief: small businesses make our communities richer, more creative, and more connected. They deserve to be discovered, supported, and surrounded by people who genuinely want to see them succeed.

For years, I found myself asking—and being asked—the same questions:

"Do you know a great brand designer?"

"Who's your bookkeeper?"

"Where did you find that amazing small business?"

Those conversations inspired Heart Be Your Guide.

What started as a place to discover incredible independent businesses is growing into something bigger: a thoughtfully curated community where consumers can shop small, business owners can find trusted professionals, and meaningful relationships help businesses thrive.

My Story

A woman with short hair, wearing a denim jacket, black top, jeans, and shiny black shoes, sitting on a stool in a minimalistic room with wooden floors and a plain wall.

Looking Ahead

This is only the beginning. Heart Be Your Guide will continue growing into a resource for the entire small business community through trusted professionals, thoughtful storytelling, educational resources, and meaningful opportunities to connect.

Because when small businesses have the right support, they don't just survive—they thrive.

Thank you for being here. I'm so glad you found us.

— Caitlin

Hi, I'm Caitlin.

For nearly twenty years, I've worked inside small businesses of all kinds—from creative studios and branding agencies to retailers, floral companies, and design-build firms. I've worn many hats, including operations, marketing, HR, customer experience, finance, and project management.

That experience taught me something important: building a small business is incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel lonely and overwhelming. The right introduction, the right advisor, or the right creative partner can completely change the trajectory of a business.

Heart Be Your Guide is my way of making those connections easier.

What Makes Us Different

There are plenty of directories and marketplaces.

We're building something different.

We curate people, not listings.

Every business and professional featured in Heart Be Your Guide is thoughtfully selected because trust matters. My goal isn't to build the biggest directory—it's to build the one people trust the most.