About Haff Notes
Hi there! I'm Melissa Haffeman, the founder of Haff Notes.
I believe business doesn't have to be complicated, intimidating, or exhausting. In fact, I'm on a mission to make business concepts easy to understand so you can build a business you truly love to own—one that fits your life, not the other way around.
My Story
You might be wondering how I ended up here, demystifying business jargon and cheering on beginning and growing entrepreneurs from my little corner of Alaska.
My journey began in 2019 when I opened The Islander Bookshop on Kodiak Island. Like many first-time business owners, I felt completely overwhelmed by the traditional business resources I found. With no idea where to start, I simply dove in and learned along the way.
Those stressful years stuck with me. I realized there had to be a better way to approach business—one that didn't require an MBA or the ability to decipher complex spreadsheets just to get started.
Since then, I've launched and grown five businesses, including Alaskalux, a soy candle company that started with 14 fragrances (lesson learned about scope creep!) and my bookstore. Along the way, I've discovered that successful businesses don't have to come at the cost of what matters most.
What You'll Find Here
At Haff Notes, you'll find:
Weekly Business in Plain English articles that break down one business concept at a time
Real-world examples from my journey and others' (you'll get to know my candle business quite well!)
Step-by-step guidance for building a BRAVE business plan (that's Big Picture, Readiness, Assets, Visibility, and Earnings)
Practical templates and resources that make business planning feel doable
No jargon without explanation. No overwhelming information dumps. Just clear, actionable guidance delivered like we're chatting over coffee.
Who This Is For
Haff Notes is for people who:
Have a side hustle they dream of growing
Want to start a business but feel overwhelmed by where to begin
Are building businesses that help others and strengthen communities
Value balance and don't want to sacrifice family time for business success
Feel like they "should" understand business terms but find themselves lost in the jargon
If you've ever thought, "There has to be a simpler way to do this," you're in the right place.
Why I Do This
Beyond my love for business strategy, this work is deeply personal. When I worked for the school district, I traveled monthly and had late meetings weekly, missing so much of my kids' early years. Entrepreneurship gave me the flexibility to be there for my dad during his cancer treatments and to homeschool my children.
That's the kind of freedom I want for you too—a business that aligns with what matters most in your life.
Let's Connect
I'd love to hear about your business dreams, challenges, or questions. Drop me a note in the comments, or reply to any email—I personally read and respond to messages from this community.
Here's to building a business you love to own,
Melissa
P.S. New here? Start with my 52-Week Business in Plain English Challenge where I break down one business concept each week in terms anyone can understand. No MBA required!
