10 Tools I Use To Run My Business

BUSINESS

May 23

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I make a small commission from them. Thank you for your support.

It's no secret that I love my tech gadgets and all things creative. As a designer, I am constantly having to test out new programs, apps and services to best suit my workflow. I had a few people ask what services I use across my various design projects and so I decided to put together my ultimate list of 'must have' tools for any designer. In this post, you'll find the 10 best tools that are essential to running my business.

Here are the top 10 Tools I use to run my business.

Trello
Are we surprised that Trello would make it to the TOP 10 Tools for me? I say this to everyone that has a business, If you want to create a successful business, you need to organize your tasks. If you haven't heard, Trello is the perfect tool for organization. When it comes to business and building a team, it is definitely my second brain. I house all of my business documents, projects, launches and more. As a visual person, it allows me to visually see what I’ve got going on and where everything is. It’s so easy to manage with a team as well.
Squarespace
Running a business requires a website, most of us know this. Squarespace: the savior of business owners, the hero that comes in to save the day--the easy website creator. Squarespace is amazingly user friendly, way more than anyone else on the market. It singlehandedly allows me to take full ownership of my website without having to hire someone. This means, whenever I am pivoting my services or changing my images, I do not have to reach out the web designer. You can even create a super simple Instagram landing page to add to your Instagram bio. It’s super easy but you can make it more custom by learning CSS. There are tons of websites that you can go for code and even YT videos. I’ve created a few myself. Find them here
Dropbox/Apple Files
How many times have you found yourself frantically searching for a set of meeting notes, client feedback, or project specs? I am sure it has happened more than once. MI use cloud storage like dropbox and apple files in my everyday running of my business to store my files. Since my business is based on the internet it's important to keep the moving quickly and efficiently. I often use these services to share documents and images with other members of my team.
Canva
I use Canva in my business to create most if not all of my marketing materials. If you haven't heard of Canva, it's a platform that allows you to create custom designs & graphics as well as edit virtually any design or photo online. I use Canva on a regular basis to market my business, manage social media accounts, and create beautiful & engaging graphics for clients.
Adobe XD/Procreate
While I use Canva for a lot of my marketing materials, I use Adobe XD and Procreate on my iPad to get a little more creative. These two help me design interesting typography art and doodles. I enjoy just creating and learning new things everyday. It’s actually therapeutic.
Wondershare Filmora
I wouldn’t have a successful Youtube channel if it wasn’t for Filmora. The fact that I am able to make a one time purchase of this amazing software is amazing! This application allows me to edit beautifully and create a unique visual experience for channel as well as Instagram Reels and Tiktoks.
Notion
Ah, my second brain! Or my life database. Notion has truly come to take up space in my life. I use Notion every single day to plan my day and make sure I stay on track for all of my life goals. It allows me to link two related databases so I can really see the progress bar of my goals. It takes a bit getting used to but it truly will change how you do things once you do learn. You can watch my life dashboard here.
Facebook Creator Studio
What's the best way to plan out my Instagram content?' you might ask. As a blogger, content creator, or influencer, this is a question I have received numerous times. I used to scratch my head each time, not quite sure how to answer this question. It wasn't until recently that I finally figured out a process that is working for me and for other influencers like you. I have way too many Instagram profiles and most of these social media schedulers, charge by the amount of accounts you have. I found a FREE way to do it using Facebook’s own Creator Studio. You can schedule all of your Instagram accounts using this one login. It’s a game change for me.
Watch this video on how to set yours up: How To Schedule Your Social Media Posts for Free
Tailwind
Speaking of social media, Pinterest is by far my favorite. It’s not your typical social media platform. It’s more visual and is used as a search engine rather than a get a place to get social. This means your content is evergreen. I have pins I made 12+ years ago still circulating. What this could mean for you is that your website is continuously getting traffic. Tailwind is essentially a Pinterest scheduler but it is more than that. It shuffles your already posted pins for you so it will constantly get new eyes and traffic. There are also communities you can join. I talk about all of that in this video: How To Claim Your Website On Pinterest - Verify Squarespace Website & Tailwind Overview
Loom
Every single one of my tech tutorials is filmed using Loom. Even my courses! This video messaging tool lets you shoot, record and share easily—all in one go. Another great feature is the fact that you can also access your videos on any device with the Loom mobile app or via your browser. Almost no learning curve! There are no watermarks. You can record in HD. You can password protect videos or make them available only for certain email addresses. This is a great way to onboard a client, send a tutorial of something to someone or drop a video of something exciting in your newsletters. The possibilities are endless!