When it comes to building a thriving business, our CEO, Todd Watson, believes in one key principle: learn from the best. To that end, Todd has returned time and again to a powerful collection of business books—each one shaping the way he leads, makes decisions, and grows the company. In fact, these aren’t just one-time reads. Rather, they’re must-read business books that continue to impact our team’s culture, strategy, and success.

Whether you're just starting out or well into your leadership journey, this list has something for you. So, whether you're an entrepreneur scaling your startup, a leader developing your team, or someone simply passionate about personal growth and business strategy, this list is packed with valuable insights to help guide and inspire your journey.

1. Small Giants by Bo Burlingham

Best for: Leaders who want to grow a purpose-driven, people-first company

I received this book as a gift years ago and really enjoyed it then, but after big transitions within my company I really came to lean on it as the path toward where I want to go. It’s so encouraging to see other companies that chose a path that didn’t just go build a company to be big and sell, but instead focused on being a great company for their community and employees. I re-read it again this year and still continue to be inspired by the stories that Bo shares in this book.” – Todd Watson

This book highlights companies that chose greatness over growth. Instead of scaling quickly, they stayed small on purpose. Their focus? Excellence, strong communities, and a healthy company culture.

Author Bo Burlingham calls them “small giants”—businesses that ignore the pressure to grow fast and, instead, build lasting legacies based on their values.

Key Takeaways:

• Success doesn’t always mean scaling fast
• Purpose-driven business models build lasting impact
• Keeping control within the company can be a strategic advantage

2. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

Best for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for a practical, values-driven approach to leadership

“This is my business Bible, the source I go back to for guidance in so many areas of how to run a company. When anyone asks my how to build a company, I tell them to start here. I make it a practice to listen to it each year and my leadership team has all read it. I use many of the rhythms from this book and I can’t thank Dave enough for the encouragement and challenge this book has been to our business.” – Todd Watson

In EntreLeadership, Ramsey blends entrepreneurship and leadership into one clear, actionable guide. With personal stories and practical tools, this book empowers leaders to take ownership of their businesses—and themselves.

“If you're the problem, you're also the solution.”

Key Takeaways:

• Strong leadership starts with self-awareness and growth
• Business success is driven by intentional culture and clear systems
• Leadership rhythms can build consistency and trust

3. The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Best for: Leaders focused on long-term success through team alignment and communication

“After EntreLeadership, “The Advantage” is next on my most influential books on how to operate a company. He cites “organizational health” as the key to success in a business and then works through the areas that create this health. Lencioni’s six critical questions are the foundation of how we structure our leadership and vision communication and what we come back to over and over in our team. It’s simplicity breathes life into what could be a stale process and is also a strong reminder in the importance of communicating things over and over again. This is the third book that I “re-read” this past year but just like good communication, it takes multiple times to really sink in.” – Todd Watson

Lencioni outlines six critical questions every organization must answer to build trust, clarity, and alignment. Simple in concept but powerful in practice, this book offers a framework that transforms how leaders communicate vision, strategy, and values.

“The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organizational health.”

Key Takeaways:

• Alignment at the leadership level impacts every layer of the business
• Clear, consistent communication is vital to culture and execution
• Repetition is key: say the important things over and over again

4. The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath

Best for: Anyone looking to create memorable, meaningful experiences for customers and teams

While not a traditional business operations book, The Power of Moments explores how to intentionally create standout moments in life and work. It’s a reminder that success is often built in small, powerful experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Key Takeaways:

• Moments matter—especially in leadership, culture, and customer service
• You can engineer moments that inspire, connect, and elevate
• Great companies don’t just provide products—they create experiences

Final Thoughts: Start With One, Build From There

If you’re looking to grow as a leader, build a healthier company, or inspire your team, these books are a powerful place to start. Each one has played a meaningful role in shaping how Todd leads—and how our company shows up for our clients and community every day.

Ready to grow your business through better leadership?
Start with one of these titles and let it challenge the way you think, lead, and build.

Our team has put together a list of fun Creative Curations of all the things we've really enjoyed listening, reading, and watching! Check them out!

You know that feeling when you discover the perfect song that matches your mood, a show so good you cancel plans, or a book that lingers in your thoughts long after the last page? We live for that.

We all have our go-to favorites—the playlist that gets us through Monday mornings, the comfort movie we’ve memorized line by line, or the podcast that somehow always knows what we need to hear. These aren’t just forms of entertainment—they’re fuel for creativity, motivation, and joy.

That’s why we’re sharing what inspires us.

For that reason, we put together our Creative Curations: the shows, music, books, podcasts, and more that have sparked new ideas, made us laugh, and helped us stay inspired through busy seasons.

So whether you’re looking for:

• A pick-me-up for your creative block
• A new binge-worthy TV show
• Uplifting music to soundtrack your day, or
• A book that shifts your perspective

—we’ve got recommendations you’ll love.

In short, we want you to get inspired, refreshed, and maybe a little obsessed (like we are!)

Favorite Music for Creativity & Motivation

• Rushmere by Mumford & Sons – “Eeeek! I am so excited they are back! Mumford & Sons was introduced to me by my now-husband over 16 years ago when we were dating and I've loved their music since. This new album is nothing short than wonderful. The sound is fresh, the lyrics are so positive and real. It's a solid listen for when you are working out or just being productive.”- Sarah from Marketing
• PATTERNS by Kelsea Ballerini – “This album is really good! With incredible production full of hooks, great interactions with melodies, and amazing sound selection interacting well with the lyrics for each song, this album feels like having the best drive to your favorite place with the people you love.” – Rod, (friends with Sarah, Marketing)

Must-Read Books That Shift Your Perspective

• Captivating by John Eldredge – “Helped me understand myself and heal parts that I didn’t realize needed some work.”- Kylie from support
• Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High – “Really great resource to realize how much negative impact a long lag time from issue to conversation can have in organizations or our interpersonal relationships outside of work”.- Jeff from Support
• The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind – Jess from Marketing
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni – Ethan from Marketing

Favorite Podcasts

• Unsupervised Learning – “Fantastic cyber security podcast for news and insights”.- Keegan, Product
• Marketing Made Simple (Donald Miller)- Clear, practical marketing advice rooted in storytelling. Great for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Favorite Movies and/or TV Shows

• Reacher (Season 3) – “Alan Ritchson stars as the larger-than-live Jack Reacher. If you love an action hero narrative packed with close calls, fight scenes, and a tough guy with a big heart under that hard exterior, this is a great watch.”- Jeff, Support
• Lethal Weapon – “Despite being a gritty action film, it had hilarious dialogue and natural chemistry between the leads, making it fun and rewatchable”. – Ahmed, Support
• Shrinking on Apple TV – “Hilarious, wholesome, and all around feel-good”. – Kylie, Support
• Night Agent on Netflix – “Such a great action series on Netflix and I don’t usually like to watch shows”. – Abraham, Support

Favorite Websites/Apps

• Google Keep – for quick notes, to-do lists, and organizing your life.
• Libby – borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free from your local library.
• Insight Timer – free meditations, sleep stories, and calming music.

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You know that feeling when you find the perfect song for your vibe, a show so good you cancel plans, or a book that sticks with you long after the last page? Yeah, we live for that.

We all have those go-to favorites—the playlist that powers you through a Monday, the comfort movie you could quote in your sleep, or the podcast that somehow always gets you. These little gems aren’t just entertainment; they’re fuel for creativity, motivation, and let’s be honest, pure joy.

So, we’re sharing ours! The Showit team has rounded up our Creative Curations—the shows, music, books, and more that have inspired us, made us laugh, and kept us going. Whether you need a pick-me-up, a fresh idea, or just something really good to obsess over, we’ve got you.

March's Best Music

Music is something we all connect with, and our playlists are as unique as we are. This month, here are three of our favorite songs, albums, or artists we can’t get enough of!

• When The War is Over by JOHNNYSWIM– “I've loved their music for years now, but I think this is their best yet. Their raw honesty and heartfelt storytelling are so good, almost like a warm cup of chicken soup on a rainy day. From battling depression to finding out about a long-term illness (and everything in between), every song connects with you on a deep level.”- Sarah from Marketing
• The World of Hans Zimmer- Part II: A New Dimension by Hans Zimmer, Odessa Orchestra & Friends, Gavin Greenaway- “Hans Zimmer is my top one Movie Scores composer. This double album features over two hours of music, transforming 17 of Zimmer's most iconic film scores into new orchestral suites. If you love movie scores, you will love this one. It contains some of Zimmer's most known and popular tracks.”– Sarah from Marketing

March's Best Books

We love a good story—whether it’s on the page or in your earbuds. This month, we’re spotlighting three standout books and audiobooks that grabbed our attention with unforgettable tales, powerful authors, and narratives that linger long after the last word.

• The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson – “It is a fantastic fantasy series with compelling characters, a unique magic system, and twists that will send your head reeling!”- Cole from Support
• The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson – “It is an immense fantasy series with exceptional worldbuilding and extremely deep characters who go through massive development.”- Cole from Support
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – “A fascinating sci-fi novel that is only available on Audible. It is extremely engaging and had me cheering in my car on the way to work!” – Cole from Support
• Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes: So frightfully awful.. yet wonderfully spiffing. Vol II – “Who doesn't love laughing.”- Keegan from Product
• The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster – “Darren talks about the ups and downs of owning/starting a business. I love that he talks about finding your passion, find your fight, find your strength, and knowing that this will be a ride that can be scary but also rewarding. I love his vulnerability of what it took to get to where he is at now.”- Monica from Billing
• The Illustrated Version of Harry Potter – “We recently have been reading longer form books with our daughter (7) and got her the first Harry Potter book, Illustrated edition.” – Kat from Marketing
• Through a Looking Glass Dimly: Recovering the Wonder of the Alice Books (Webinar) – “Alice in Wonderland is not just a guy describing an acid trip. It's actually a profound argument for transcendence and an ironic joke at the expense of the praise of the “rationality” of the enlightenment.” – Caleb from BDOW

March's Best Podcasts

• Raising Parents – “Just like in her book, (Expecting Better) Emily Oster uses data to tackle the deep, difficult, and urgent questions regarding parenting today.” – Jess from Marketing
• Grounded Wellness – “Provides trustworthy information on how to live a more holistic and non-toxic life.”- Adria from HR
• Self-Made Web Designer – “It's from me ;).”- Chris from Marketing

March's Best Movies/TV Shows

“I'm a dedicated fan of movies and TV shows—it’s my go-to for relaxing and having fun. I’m not into horror (like my mom would say: “Why would I voluntarily sit to watch something that's gonna make me suffer if life is already hard work?”), but give me action, suspense, conspiracy, or a good rom-com, and I’m all in. Here are some shows I’ve loved or am really enjoying right now!” – Sarah from Marketing

• Paradise on Hulu – “A thrilling political drama starring Sterling K. Brown as a Secret Service agent who finds himself at the center of a presidential assassination. When the leader of the country is murdered in a seemingly perfect community, he becomes the prime suspect and must unravel a web of secrets to clear his name. With plenty of mystery, suspense, and unexpected twists, this show keeps you guessing. If you love high-stakes drama with a touch of sci-fi, this one's worth a watch!“
• The Night Agent on Netflix – “A high-stakes thriller about an FBI agent who answers a late-night call and gets pulled into a deadly conspiracy. With spies, secrets, and nonstop action, it’s a wild ride full of twists. Seasons 1 and 2 are out now!”
• Silo on Apple TV – “A sci-fi mystery set in a massive underground bunker where no one knows the full truth. As one woman starts digging for answers, she uncovers secrets that could change everything. With mystery, drama, and dystopian vibes, it’s perfect for fans of Fallout and Snowpiercer! Seasons 1 and 2 are available now.”

March's Best Websites/Apps

• https://www.instagram.com/september___studio/?hl=en – “Super beautiful and inspiring florals.”- Kat from Marketing
• estatesales.net – “Awesome place to find treasures.”- Kat from Marketing
• https://palette.site/ – A browser extension to generate comprehensive palettes. A must-have tool for designers and frontend developers. Precise colour scheme extraction.
• Yuka app– Yuka evaluates food items based on nutritional quality, additive presence, and organic status. Cosmetic products are analyzed by examining each ingredient's potential health effects, such as being endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens, or irritants.
  

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It's awards season! The Golden Globes, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys are taking center stage, and we’ve been diving in (well, at least I have). We’ve hit the theaters, checked out some fresh TV shows, and listened to top-tier podcasts and audiobooks. It’s been so good to soak up all the creativity.

Let’s be honest, though—we all have those go-to favorites. You know, that playlist that gets you through a busy day (or the workout you don't feel like doing at 5 am), the comfort movie you’ve rewatched a million times because it never fails to make you smile, or that website you turn to when you’re searching for fresh ideas (I actually have a list on my notes app called “Sarah's favorites”). Think of these as your “Creative Curations.”

So, here’s our (the Showit team) list of Creative Curations: shows, music, books, and more that have inspired us—whether we needed a little nudge to finish a project or just a laugh to lighten the mood.

February's Best Music

Music is something we all connect with, and our playlists are as unique as we are. This month, here are three of our favorite songs, albums, or artists we can’t get enough of!

• The Living Room, Vol. 1 by The Kruse Brothers- Ethan from Marketing
• Polo & Pan, Sarah the Illstrumentalist, Tame Impala, Poolside- “Whoops, probably looking for one at a time, eh? Those are all just good music to vibe to that are easy to tune out the lyrics of (or don't have lyrics or are in another language).”- Jeff from Support
• Penny and Sparrow- I love these artists because of how intentional they are with their song writing as well as their overall unique sound.- Kara from Support

February's Best Books

We love a good story—whether it’s on the page or in your earbuds. This month, we’re spotlighting three standout books and audiobooks that grabbed our attention with unforgettable tales, powerful authors, and narratives that linger long after the last word.

• Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks – “It's a great book that encourages you to look at your life and all of the details that make up the very unique and interesting story of you.” – Jihae from Admin
• I’ll Be There (but i will be wearing sweatpants): Finding Unfiltered, Real-Life Friendships in This Crazy, Chaotic World by Amy Weatherly– “Finding unfiltered real-life friendships in this crazy chaotic world. I love how it talks about the realness of adulthood and finding and maintaining those true authentic friendships that are hard but also so rewarding.”– Shamesha from Marketing
• Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez– “Practical strategies on how to purchase profitable businesses!”– Adria from Admin
• Wild Color by Jenny Dean and Karen Diadick Casselman– “A book about classic ways of making different color dyes. Super fun and easy to follow”- Keegan from Product
• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders– “Exposure to the greats of Russian literature! Amazing advice for storytellers! Humor! Depth!” – Elisa

February's Best Podcasts

• The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott- “If you have loved the TV Show, you will love this podcast. it's an in-depth conversation about each episode of season 1 so far. It's intriguing and engaging!- Sarah from Marketing
• The Jefferson Fisher Podcast– “I love engaging with people. All. The. Time. Jefferson's podcast highlights common communication scenarios that typically leave one or both parties hurt or offended and offers tools and actionable steps to remedy these very same moments, creating the atmosphere for both parties to walk away better people.” – Hilary from Admin
• Jocko Podcast– “I enjoy this podcast because it is a good resource for building discipline and a good mindset.”- Zac from Product
• Stuff You Should Know– “It shares interesting facts and information.”- Shelly

February's Best Movies/TV Shows

• Severance on Apple TV– “This show is good. The new season was just released!”- Josh from Product

February's Best Websites/Apps

• Descript.com – “It's an Ai utility knife for creating content. I use it for writing descriptions and titles.”- Jefferson from Marketing
  

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Ever wondered what creative freedom really looks like when designing a website? Wonder no more! Our brilliant Kat, Art Director at Showit, took on the fun challenge of creating a brand-new Severance fan page for the popular TV series.

If you haven’t seen it, Severance is a sci-fi psychological thriller about Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an employee at Lumon Industries, where a wild “severance” procedure splits workers' memories into two lives: their “Innies,” who only know work, and “Outies,” who are clueless about their jobs. The show dives into the ethics, mystery, and drama of this dual existence, with season one earning critical acclaim, multiple awards, and a huge fan following.

The buzz around the long-awaited Severance season 2 is real, especially with nearly three years since its debut. The show’s marketing team has done some creative things, like setting up a LinkedIn page for the fictional Lumon Industries (yes, it's real!)—but surprisingly, it doesn’t have an interesting website to go with it! So we went ahead and created a Severance Fan Landing page.

How did we capture the show’s unique vibe on a landing page using Showit? Kat had a genius idea: mixing and matching canvases from our FREE TEMPLATES to create something fresh and fun.

Follow along as we walk you through the steps to design your own creative masterpiece!

Severance Fan Page Step 1. Start with the Template

Kat chose the free “Folio” template because it had a great color scheme and pixel icons that matched the show’s low-tech meets high-tech vibe. She paired it with the Google font “Michroma” for its similar typography feel.

Severance Fan Page Step 2. Create a Baffling Intro

Inspired by the confusing start of season one, she rearranged process canvases from the About page to be the first thing visitors see. To make it playful, she adjusted the offset values so the canvases overlap and added the iconic quote from the “tools” scene to close the opening sequence.

Severance Fan Page Step 3. Add a Show Clip

• The next canvas features a clip from the trailer, revealed through side-to-side moving shapes for a dynamic intro.

Severance Fan Page Step 4. Segway with Scrolling Text

To transition into employee bios, Kat added scrolling text of Lumon’s nine core principles (reused this element from the Cartera template Home Page- Scrolling Expertise Canvas to save time)

Severance Fan Page Step 5. Design Employee Bios

Kat used the testimonials section from the Fortitude template, swapping out review boxes for floating severance badge PNGs. For the bios themselves, she modified the Services canvas from the “Folio” template to create a cohesive employee file layout.

Severance Fan Page Step 6. Embed a YouTube trailer

The next canvas features an embedded YouTube trailer for season one as a tribute. While considering using the season two trailer, this site felt more like a love letter to season one.

Step 7. Add Iconic Quotes

Iconic quotes from the characters were a must-have, so hover effects and canvas views were used to bring them to life.

Step 8. Add The Episode List

Kat duplicated the Fortitude Template– Services canvas to showcase all nine episodes.

Step 9. Add a Countdown Timer

To complete the page, she added a countdown timer using Northfolk’s free code and tutorials—super simple and effective!

And that's it, friends. Thanks for checking out our Severance fan page.

One of our favorite things about Showit is how easily you can pull canvases from different free templates, either as-is or customized to match your design. And Kat showed us how to do just that! We hope you enjoyed this!

Want to try Showit for yourself? Go start your 14-day free trial today and start designing.

The new year is here, and there’s no better time to set your business up for success than to update your website.

Whether your site has been serving you well for years or it’s only a few months old, making a habit of regular updates is key to keeping it effective, engaging, and aligned with your business goals.

A website refresh doesn’t mean starting over. Small, strategic updates can make a huge impact, from refreshing imagery to fine-tuning your marketing language.

Let’s see why your website deserves some love this January and how to give it the updates it needs to shine in 2025.

Refresh Your Imagery

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s especially true on your website.

Updating your imagery can instantly make your site feel fresh, modern, and aligned with the current direction of your brand.

Ask yourself…

• Do my images reflect your current work, offerings, or style?
• Are my headshots up-to-date, or do they still feature my old haircut from 2019?
• Could I swap out stock images for something more personal or custom?

Fresh images create a better user experience and help potential clients see themselves in the stories you’re telling.

Whether it’s new product photography, updated brand photos, or showcasing your latest portfolio work, imagery is one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your site.

Refresh Your Marketing Language

Does your website copy still reflect who you are and what you do?

As your business evolves, your messaging should, too. 

Take some time to revisit key pages and consider:

• Does your About page feel like it was written by past you? If so, update it to reflect the professional and personal growth you’ve had since then.
• Are your Services or Offerings pages clear and compelling? Make sure your messaging highlights the benefits and solutions you provide to your audience.
• Do you need to update your calls-to-action (CTAs)? Strong, action-focused CTAs like “Book Your Consultation” or “Get Started Today” make it easier for visitors to take the next step.

Refreshing your copy doesn’t have to mean rewriting everything. Small tweaks to tone, language, or even a headline can make your website feel more aligned with your 2025 goals.

Add Any Missing Content

Has your business grown or shifted in the past year? We bet it has.

…which means your website should be growing with it.

Here’s what to look for when considering whether or not you have any “missing” content:

→ FAQs: If you’re getting the same questions from clients or customers, consider adding an FAQ section to save time and improve the user experience.

→ Sales Pages: Are you launching a new product or service? Create a dedicated page to showcase its value, answer objections, and guide users toward taking action.

→ Portfolio or Blog Updates: Have new work to show off or insights to share? Keep these sections fresh and up-to-date to highlight your expertise.

→ Social Proof: Have your clients or customers given you any really great testimonials this year? Make sure you add them to your website so leads on the fence can feel confident about inquiring about working with you or buying from you!

Think of your website as a living, breathing part of your business. When you update it regularly, it works harder for you, saving time and creating a better experience for your audience.

Update Your Offerings

Your services or products are the backbone of your business and your website needs to reflect the latest and greatest of what you’re offering.

Check your site for outdated offerings or information, like:

• Services you no longer provide
• Packages or products that need price updates
• New services that aren’t listed yet

Keeping your offerings current ensures that your audience knows exactly how to work with you. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase your growth and expertise as your business evolves.

Add or Update Pages for New Offers

If you’re rolling out new services, products, or experiences in 2025, your website needs to reflect them.

Whether it’s adding entirely new pages or tweaking existing ones, this is your chance to ensure every part of your site works seamlessly with your updated business strategy.

Here, we’ve got a few examples for you:

• Launching a webinar? Add a sales page to promote it and a custom confirmation page to confirm attendees’ spots.
• Starting a membership program? Create a dedicated landing page outlining the benefits, features, and how to join.
• Releasing a new course? Include an FAQ section and bonus information to help visitors feel confident making a purchase.

Your website is the central hub for your business, and every new offer deserves a home where it can shine.

Test Your Contact Form

You’d be surprised how many inquiries get lost because of a broken contact form.

Make sure yours is working properly by testing it from a visitor’s perspective:

• Fill out the form with sample information and check that the confirmation message appears.
• Ensure that emails are being delivered to the correct inbox.
• If you’ve made any updates to your services or availability, confirm that your form reflects those changes (like updated timelines, package options, or response times).

Your contact form is one of the most important elements of your site—it’s the bridge between you and your potential clients. A quick test is all it takes to ensure no leads fall through the cracks.

if, you want to update your contact form, consider paying our friends at BDOW! a visit.

Just like Showit websites, BDOW! forms are fully customizable to fit your website aesthetic perfectly.

Why Your Website’s STILL Essential in 2025

In today’s digital-first world, your website isn’t just an online placeholder—it’s your most powerful marketing tool.

It works for you 24/7, attracting new clients, showcasing your expertise, and turning visitors into paying customers.

A well-maintained website is key to standing out in a crowded market, establishing credibility, and keeping your business competitive in 2025.

Make 2025 Your Website’s Best Year Yet

Your website deserves just as much attention as the rest of your business.

By updating your imagery, fine-tuning your copy, and adding any missing pages, you’re not only making your site look better—you’re helping it work better for you.

Thinking about making bigger changes this year? With Showit, you have the flexibility to make updates whenever you need to. And if you ever need support, we’re here to help every step of the way (GIFs included).