Now, we do not have to cut checks to employees because we don't pay ourselves, so I created a database in Access tailored to our business. I have a table with the knife inventory in it. It contains: model, serial, handle material, steel, other specs, asking price, sold for price, method of payment, customers name.
Then, I have another table for the customer base that has the customers name and mailing and contact info.
Lastly, I have a table that I enter in the expenses to run the business. It is simple with who got paid, for how much, when, method of payment, type of expense (office, materials, supplies, travel, food, etc.)
But, I do like Excel, so when I have to tally something, I usually make a query for what I want and paste it into Excel for sum or average, etc.
and anything's better than quickbooks! LOL