How Artisans Alley Keeps a 30-Maker Rotating Roster Running Smoothly with Connecteam

“Overall, we’re very happy. We’re sticking with Connecteam. We’re not planning to go anywhere else.”

Jeremy Worthington, Owner

Key Results

• Remote-first scheduling that works. Jeremy manages 30 makers and publishes the monthly roster from anywhere, without stepping foot in the store
• Makers are on board fast. Most get set up and start using the app quickly, with minimal hand-holding required
• One platform, zero scheduling gaps. Every maker knows their shift, and the roster is always current

The Challenge: Scheduling a Non-Standard Team With No Room for Confusion

Artisans Alley runs on a model most scheduling tools are not built for. Thirty makers, rotating availability, commission-based participation, and an owner who manages everything remotely. The previous tool, PlanDay, shut down its Australian operations. A replacement had to be simple enough for a team with varying levels of technical experience.

• There was no clean way to manage shift swaps. Makers could offer their shift to others, but a true two-way exchange was not possible, meaning manual follow-up was often needed to close the loop
• Deputy was evaluated as an alternative but rejected. The mobile interface was harder to navigate and onboarding felt more complex for users with different levels of technical confidence
• Setting recurring availability proved difficult for several makers. Some resorted to marking availability day by day instead of using the recurring option

“Connecteam is very easy to use in terms of setting it up and doing the availability.”

Jeremy Worthington, Owner

How Artisans Alley Uses Connecteam to Run a Rotating Maker Schedule

Jeremy built his operation around three platforms. Square handles transactions, Xero manages invoicing, and Connecteam handles all rostering. The goal was simple: publish the schedule once a month and let the system do the work.

• Each month, Jeremy reviews availability across all 30 makers and assigns shifts based on their green and red availability markers, then publishes the roster to the whole team at once
• Makers receive push notifications tied to their phone calendars, so they always know when they are scheduled without checking manually
• New makers get onboarded fast. Jeremy sends them the Connecteam app link and a short video guide. Most are set up and using the platform within the same day

“Once a month I go in, do all of this, publish it, and then I don’t look at it again for another three weeks.”

Jeremy Worthington, Owner

Results That Affect Artisans Alley’s Bottom Line

Remote Scheduling That Actually Holds

• The monthly roster is built, adjusted, and published entirely from Jeremy’s desk, with no need to be on-site
• Makers manage their own availability inside the app, reducing back-and-forth communication before the roster goes live
• Shift reminders go out automatically, so makers show up informed and on time

An Interface the Whole Team Can Use

• Connecteam was chosen specifically because its mobile experience is clean and accessible for a diverse group of makers who needed a simple mobile experience
• Most team members get onto the platform quickly and independently, using the help videos Jeremy shares
• The app replaced all informal scheduling methods, making Connecteam the single source of truth for every shift

“Getting them on board, getting them to use it, and sending them the link to the Connecteam video guide. This is how you use it. Pretty much all I have to do.”

Jeremy Worthington, Owner

Before vs. After Connecteam

Why Connecteam Was the Right Move

Artisans Alley needed a platform built for simplicity. Jeremy evaluated Deputy and chose Connecteam because the mobile interface was cleaner, easier to navigate, and better suited to a team with varying levels of technical confidence. The onboarding process sealed the decision. What PlanDay once offered in terms of scheduling flexibility, Connecteam replaces with a smoother, more intuitive experience that works for both the manager and the team.