# BoutiqueStack — Stack Shortlist Worksheet (free lead magnet v0.1)
**For:** solo consultants & boutique agencies (1–15) on retainers  
**Pairs with:** https://boutiquestack.pages.dev/tools/stack-cost/ (when live)  
**Updated:** 2026-10-23 · Estimates only — verify vendor pricing

Print or duplicate this doc. Spend 20–30 minutes. Bring the result to the Stack Cost Calculator.

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## 1. Practice snapshot
- Role / offer: _______________________________
- Team size: ☐ Solo  ☐ 2–8  ☐ 9–15
- Active opportunities (approx): ______
- Active retainer clients: ______
- Monthly software ceiling: $ ______

## 2. Where friction lives (pick one primary)
- ☐ Pipeline / follow-ups / renewals forgotten
- ☐ Proposals, contracts, invoices, scheduling
- ☐ Email nurture / newsletter / launches
- ☐ Reporting for partners or your future hire
- ☐ Other: _______________________________

## 3. Must-haves (check)
- ☐ Pipeline + next steps
- ☐ Email marketing / nurture
- ☐ Proposals + contracts
- ☐ Invoicing / payments
- ☐ Client scheduling
- ☐ Calling / sequences
- ☐ Shared inbox

## 4. Admin hours you can spare / week
- ☐ ≤2  ☐ ~4  ☐ up to 8
- Current frankenstack tools (list): _______________________________

## 5. Category decision (circle one)
Use BoutiqueStack’s rule of thumb:
- Paperwork friction → **Client-ops** (HoneyBook / Dubsado / Bonsai)
- Pipeline friction → **Sales CRM** (HubSpot / Pipedrive / Close / Capsule / folk)
- Both → under 8 people + package work → client-ops first; outbound-heavy → CRM first

Your category: _______________________________

## 6. Shortlist (max 3 — force a cut)
| Rank | Tool | Why it fits | Est. $/mo | Est. admin hrs/wk | Affiliate note (ignore for ranking) |
|------|------|-------------|-----------|-------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 1 | | | | | |
| 2 | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | | |

## 7. 14-day trial plan
- Tool to trial first: _____________
- Success criteria (2 bullets): 
  1. ________________________________
  2. ________________________________
- Kill criteria (when you stop): ________________________________
- Calendar block for setup (date/time): ________________________________

## 8. Retainer stages to load (copy)
Referral → Discovery → Scope → Proposal → Verbal → Signed → Kickoff → Delivery → Renew

## 9. Email capture (optional)
When BoutiqueStack’s list is live, send this completed worksheet summary to yourself and subscribe to the Retainer Ops Brief for pricing-change notes — not another blast of “best CRM” listicles.

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© BoutiqueStack · Not legal, tax, or financial advice · Rankings never for sale