24 of the Best Instagram Accounts Every Small Business Should Follow
Are you on Instagram?
I’ve recently started to dig it over there – but I find it harder than other platforms to “discover” people in the small business space who I want to follow.
Because those #smallbiz or #entrepreneur tags are flooded with all sorts of spam & stolen images!
So over the past year I’ve done my own digging and exploring.
(in fact – you might have seen me ask my Insta followers for some input on this a few weeks ago)
If like me, you love following small business peeps who are killing it on Instagram – either in terms of follower numbers, engagement or just killer content – I present to you:
24 Instagram Accounts Every Small Business Should Follow
#1 – boldbrandfast (Rob Russo)
Rob KILLS it with the visual content in his profile. As he should as a visual marketing consultant 
Rob seriously makes me think about the full picture of my profile on Instagram – to see what I mean go visit his profile. After a bit of scrolling, you’ll start to see the interconnectedness of a lot of his posts.
And he definitely knows how to make his message jump out at you!
#2 – hilaryrushford (Dean Street Society)
I don’t know that I can name another Instagrammer that has her brand down more than Ms. Hilary Rushford.
Hilary’s devotion to her brand and her audience has paid off – her current following is over 84,000 and getting 1200 likes or 40 comments on a post is just another highly engaged day in the Dean Street Society Instagram world.
Hilary has two passions that she expertly weaves throughout her account – her personal stylist expertise as well as her entrepreneur coaching (& Instagram marketing) expertise.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your own Instagram account or want to follow a #DeanStreetBetty who really knows how to cultivate a devoted & engaged following – go follow Hilary and enjoy following her Brooklyn, college football, and entrepreneur adventures. And of course those #DeanStreetDanceBreaks!
#3 – onewomanshop (One Woman Shop)
I love this account.
Cristina and Sara are “co-conspirators” who run the One Woman Shop account. They serve as a community for solopreneur women looking to connect with fellow one-woman-shops.
BUT the thing that’s different about this account is that it’s not just content from Cristina and Sara.
More often than not, they invite a solopreneur woman to take the reigns of the account and show a day-in-the-life of their business.
I actually took the reigns awhile back and can personally attest to how fun it can be to participate in an Instagram takeover.
If you’re looking to connect with solopreneur women, onewomanshop is a must follow!
#4 – wework (WeWork)
WeWork is a national chain of coworking spaces for entrepreneurs. Do you have one in your city?
WeWork has 2 of the elements of a killer Instagram account down pat – huge following (42,000) plus branding that makes you get the “feel” of what it might like to work in their spaces.
If you follow WeWork, you’ll get to experience their solid mix of posts highlighting their spaces, their members, motivational quotes and other posts that just make you know they really “get” the work-for-yourself mindset.
#5 – budgetsandcents (Budgets and Cents podcast)
This is a new(er) account that I know through Carrie of Careful Cents – small business financial coach & writer
The budgetsandcents account is super on-brand but that’s not my favorite part of this account – what makes this account one of my favorites is the #truthbombs they deliver in branded quote form about awkward financial conversations & topics.
If you’re a small business owner who could use a little more honest conversation around the financial part of your life – go follow budgetsandcents.
#6 – creativelive
Have you ever caught a free training from the folks at CreativeLive? If so, you know they always offer a high quality experience – from the content of the trainings to the visual quality of the virtual class – CreativeLive is top notch.
Following their Instagram account means getting a behind the scenes look at their A-level process and a ton of inspiration from their teachers, students and CL team.
You can also be featured on their account by tagging #creativelive to photos – especially of ones where you’re participating in one of their many classes.
#7 – patternobserver (Michelle Fifis)
Michelle’s business (Pattern Observer) is almost *made* for Instagram.
PatternObserver’s niche audience of budding/growing textile designers fits perfectly into the visual Instagram world.
The patternobserver account regularly features some of Michelle’s favorite “found” patterns out in the world for inspiration but also regularly features patterns developed by her own Textile Design Lab members and anyone who uses the #PatternObserver tag to share their own designs.
If you love being inspired by visual designs – whether you’re a textile designer yourself or not – this is the account for you.
#8 – theinstagramexpert (Sue B Zimmerman)
If you’ve ever explored trying to “learn” Instagram in the past, you’ve probably heard of Sue.
Sue’s account is one to follow if you’re not only looking for inspiration of how to handle a personal brand on Instagram but she’s also not shy about providing value – regularly sharing mini tips here and there to help you better navigate Instagram for your biz.
Really – if you’re trying to use Instagram for your business, Sue’s account is a must-follow.
#9 – evolveyourweddingbusiness (Heidi Thompson)
If you’re in the wedding industry, Heidi is your gal for growing a profitable wedding business. Her account is full of prompts and tips to help you grow your wedding biz.
Whether it’s a new podcast episode, a countdown for her latest product launch or simple sharing a quote or tip – Heidi’s wedding brand shines through.
#10 – johnleedumas (Entrepreneur on Fire)
If you haven’t heard of John Lee Dumas and his podcast, Entrepreneur on Fire, I’d be a little surprised. But if this is the first you’re hearing of John and EonFire – you’re in for some huge game-changing insights.
John’s podcast business regularly brings in more than $500,000 PER MONTH and he regularly shares the details of how that happens on his blog.
His instagram account feels exactly like his website and is full of behind the scenes of kickstarter launches, the day to day of running his biz, plus some very on-brand inspiring quotes and “value bombs” – John is a must-follow if you haven’t already.
#11 – marieodesign (Marie O’Neill Design)
I absolutely adore the posts Marie puts out on her Instagram. Marie is an illustrator and designer from Australia who creates the most adorable graphics and logos.
Marie’s account is full of examples of her professional work but more entertaining are the little graphics she creates to showcase her oh-so-amusing thoughts on life.
If you’re on Instagram for a smile and a laugh, Marie’s account is for you.
#12 – meganmweaver (Megan Weaver Photography)
I’m not a Dallas resident myself but if I’m ever in the area, I’m hitting up Megan for a quick photo shoot of my own.
Megan photographs bloggers and women entrepreneurs and uses her profile to largely showcase her work.
If you’re looking to be inspired for a photo shoot of your own if you’re not in Dallas like me, follow Megan for some ideas for the next time you need one.
#13 – yellowconference
Yellow Conference seeks to put on a gathering of a creative women who want to use their strengths and skills for good. Everything about their Insta makes you feel like you’re getting a virtual preview of the cheerfully inspiring in-person annual conference.
Not to leave you hanging for the rest of the year, Yellow Co. regularly serves up inspiration and highlights speakers and other community members year-round.
#14 – ladyprojectorg
The Lady Project Org connects women who are up to awesome things. And they use their Instagram account to do just that – with high quality photos & graphics that exactly reflect their brand.
The Lady Project Org Instagram account regularly highlights community members and blog contributors with a side of inspiring quotes.
If you’re a woman entrepreneur, check them out to get to know some of your fellow peeps:
#15 – beingbossclub
If you’re tired of the pink & fluffy kind of entrepreneurial advice, Being Boss is for you. Emily and Kathleen are two bad-ass bosses who bring their knowledge and push to their Being Boss podcast.
These two are all about the branding and their Insta feed shows. Whether they’re sharing a behind the scenes selfie, a new podcast episode, or simply a quote or piece of advice – consistent branding is clearly a priority.
One of my favorite things about this feed is that they use quote images that highlight points from their podcast interviews with various guests.
#16 – napturalnicole
Ever feel like it’s hard to blend behind-the-scenes & selfies with staying on-brand? Nicole’s Instagram feed is a master of doing so.
The ever-so-subtle consistent image formatting makes Nicole’s feed feel cohesive without necessarily hitting you over the head with branded image after branded image.
Follow Nicole for the behind the scenes of her life as an income strategist, social influencer & speaker.
#17 – laurakashner
You have to admit, graphic designers seem to have an unfair advantage when it comes to visual networks like Instagram. And Laura Kashner’s feed does not disappoint.
Laura’s eye for white space shines through and immediately puts you at ease. If you’re looking for an example of an Instagram account who excels at showcasing a feeling across all their posts, Laura’s feed is for you.
#18 – annesamoilov
Anne is a launch nerd and one of my favorite entrepreneurial people. She’s obsessed with launching, planners, and her daughter Mila.
All of the above show through in her account. Follow Anne for gorgeous workspace & launching posts.
#19 – belongmag
Magazines are another one of those “unfair advantage” people that I can’t help but follow on Instagram.
Belong is a magazine for women entrepreneurs and bloggers.
Their Insta is full of inspiring quotes and previews of their PHYSICAL (and digital) magazine.
#20 – estutland
If you’ve ever felt like your own thoughts get in the way of what you could be doing in life & biz, you’ll find Erin Stutland to be a god-send.
Erin is the creator of Shrink Session – which combines fitness with motivational meditation to help “re-program” both your head and your body. Her Insta is a perfect reflection of that.
#21 – splendidlycurious
Suzi of splendidlycurious is a whip-smart web designer with a lot to share on the topic of branding.
Suzi’s feed is one to follow not only if you’re looking for an example of branding done well on Insta but also if you’re looking for actual advice on how to pull it off yourself.
#22 – freshbooks
Freshbooks is a FUN brand in a not-so-traditionally-fun industry – accounting & invoicing.
If you’re looking to be inspired by how you can up your branding game even if you think *you* are in a boring industry, follow Freshbooks. Their posts always bring a smile to my face
#23 – savorsuccess
Savor the Success is a mastermind community for women entrepreneurs who are looking to build their dream businesses.
This is another feed that excels at giving you the brand feeling – the feeling of what it must be like to attend their events in person. Their feed is full of pictures of incredibly joyous attendees and behind the scenes shots of members working on moving their businesses forward.
If you’re looking to connect with women who are serious about taking their businesses to the next level, check out Savor the Success.
#24 – chantellespeaks
Chantelle is a speech stylist & courage igniter. As someone who always needs a little motivation in the public speaking arena, I love Chantelle’s feed.
Full of courage-igniting prompts, Chantelle’s Insta is one to follow if you’re in need of some fuel in the “I think I can” department.
How About You?
Are you a small biz owner with an awesome Instagram account you think we should follow? Or do you have an account you can’t get enough of on Insta? Share the link below so we can check it out! And of course, if you want to keep up with what I’m up to on Instagram – follow me here:
Hey Liz (and fans of Liz!),
This is a great list! I hadn’t heard of most of these people so I appreciate learning about new resources! Over the past several months, I’ve made it a point to really focus on IG for building our business. We’ve recently started a podcast (it’s called Style Matters) and we’re creating images that are specifically meant to promote it. What we’re doing is taking some things that our podcast guests are saying and turning them into little inspirational quotes. It’s so much fun! Anyway, we’d LOVE it if you’d check out: @littleyellowcouch
I LOVE Instagram! I run a photo challenge every month, and you can find me @amandasuehowell
I think soon I’ll start one for my bookish blog too. 😀