The Small Business System
You started a business because there's a thing you do better than anyone else. But instead of creating and selling that thing, you're dealing with the boring admin we all share:
- Registrations,
- Filing,
- Receipts,
- Returns.
This is stressful. It drains your mental energy. So your filesystem is a mess, your todos are worse. Let's not talk about your email.
Between us, Lucy and I have been contractors, consultants, and business owners for 30+ years. We know it's hard, so we solved it for you.
We spent half a year collecting decades of shared history, analysing our archives, deconstructing previous jobs, researching dozens of small business types, and speaking to customers.
Then we built a comprehensive, cohesive Johnny.Decimal system that will help your small business succeed. We know it works, we use it every day.
“We switched our whole business over and now everyone's on the same track. Everything has a logical, decimally defined place – and it's easy for someone else to find that document again when they need it.”
— Des, Datum Machines
Example
You just got your annual office insurance renewal notice. Boring but essential. And now: easy. Either browse the intuitive structure of the system, or search this site.
There it is. Find that folder and save the document using our recommended naming standards.
The same structure in your reminders ties everything together. Think about how powerful this is – you see this task and you already know where that policy document will be.
And if your business partner asks where it is? Just say "twelve dot twelve". Now they can find it instantly too. Removing these 'paper cuts' saves you hours a week. It gives your brain space to breathe.
“All 3 of my email inboxes are down to zero, all of my expenses are coded, my projects are not lost and forgotten and I, for the first time in my adult life, feel like I'm starting the year better off than I finished last year.”
Jeff, Lovett Sundries
You might notice this example is like the one from the Life Admin System, 12.12 Home insurance & claims. This is deliberate. We
designed the systems to be as similar as possible. This leaves your brain
even more space to work on the good stuff.
AI 🖤 JD
LLMs love documentation and structure. That ability combined with our MCP server makes your agent extraordinarily capable.
Add in our agent skills and your machine-readable index, and the productivity boost is amazing. I'll be developing these tools extensively, and you get them all.
Not into AI? Just don't use it. Johnny.Decimal has been around since 2010. We're good for humans and robots alike.
Join hundreds of businesses around the world that run on Johnny.Decimal. Download it and move in. You'll be more organised by the end of the day.
Pay with PayPal.
No subscription. Updates for life.
Everything has a 14-day no-questions money-back guarantee.
What you get
The system was designed to organise everything in a business, regardless of its product or service.
It fits in 5 areas:
-
10-19 Business administration, -
20-29 Products, suppliers, equipment, processes, & inventory, -
30-39 Marketing, channels, customers, orders, & shipping, 40-49 Creative assets, and-
W0000-9999 Work packages, a place to manage your projects.
With 200+ meticulously designed IDs across 21 categories. And a fully-searchable 50,000-word online manual.
The manual lists all categories and IDs, what might go in them, and any exceptions. There's also 'ops manuals' with steps for common business operations. We'll be building more, ensuring your agent can use them.
The most support
We have dedicated community support channels, you can email me directly, or set up a 1:1 Zoom session with me any time. Including now, if you have any pre-purchase questions.
As small business operators ourselves, we know what it's like. We will help you be more organised and less stressed.
Membership tiers
Small Business is included in our Business membership. It's our top tier, so you also get the full suite of training and software.
| US$35 | US$210 | US$360 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Admin 150+ IDs for your life | Included | Included | Included |
| JDHQ AI tools for your agent | Not included | Included | Included |
| University 20+ hours of video training | Not included | Included | Included |
| Small Business 200+ IDs for your business | Not included | Not included | Included |
AI requires your own agent (ChatGPT, Claude). Works with local models.
People like it
“The Small Business System can sort of also be considered a crash course in small business management, not just filing and organisation.”
— Michael
“Johnny.Decimal is the only organizing system that has genuinely stuck for me, and it's changed how I work and think – I'm grateful for the care you and Lucy have put into it.”
— Trevor
“I've tried all of the other popular organizational frameworks, and this is the first time I feel like I trust my system more as it grows.”
— Victoria
Questions
What software do I need?
The system works with whatever you already use. You'll need an app to manage your index. I recommend Obsidian but you can use any app that either lets you keep a list of notes, or is a database. People use and enjoy Bear, NotePlan, DEVONThink, Notion, Craft, Emacs, and more.
It works the same on Mac, Windows, or Linux. You can even use it on your iPad, though setup is a little harder because of its limitations.
Where is my data stored?
Wherever it is today: I never touch your data. What I give you is structure and process. If your data is on your iCloud Drive today, that's where it stays.
What happens after I buy?
If you're not signed in, you'll receive an email after your payment is processed. It has a link to create your account. If you're already signed in, you'll get instant access to your purchase.
What's the guarantee?
If you don't like it, you can have your money back. No questions asked. You've got 14 days to check it out. Forward your purchase receipt to hello@johnnydecimal.com.
If you want to tell us what we could have done better, please do: it really helps. But no pressure. You can just say 'I'd like a refund'. If you can't find your receipt, tell me what you purchased and when and I'll look it up. (You should be more organised. Ha ha.)
Can I upgrade later?
You can upgrade from any membership level to a higher level at any time. Anything you've already paid will be discounted from the upgrade amount.
Is there a coupon/deal/offer?
No. You'll notice that we don't try to trick you with fake countdowns or bogus 'deals'. When you buy something there isn't another screen that tries to upsell you at the last minute. The price is the price.
Similarly, we don't do seasonal offers. So you don't have to think about when to buy, or wonder if waiting will get you a deal.
What if I need help?
Email me. I answer every message personally, usually within 24 hours.
Buy
Pay with PayPal.
No subscription. Updates for life.
Everything has a 14-day no-questions money-back guarantee.