Resources For You
When I first started building my business, I fell into the same trap most people do—bookmarking every blog post, signing up for every freebie, and trying every tool that promised “more leads” or “less stress.”
Spoiler: I had a ton of bookmarks, open tabs, and saved PDFs… and that became overwhelming.
Over time, I found a handful of systems, tools, and people that actually helped—things that I have tried and tested in my business and my clients’ businesses.
That’s what this page is. Not a laundry list. A curated collection.
I’d recommend these to a friend who’s trying to build something real and sustainable—without burning out or selling their soul. Some may be free, some are paid, and a few include affiliate links (clearly marked). But I only share what I’ve tested, loved, or would personally stand behind.
Pick what fits. Leave what doesn’t.
This isn’t about doing it my way. It’s about finding your way—with less trial and error.
Keep in mind that this is a living page. I’ll be updating it regularly with new and exciting finds.
Table of Contents
1. Tools That Actually Do Their Job
Platforms, apps, and software that make running a business easier—not more complicated. From email marketing to scheduling, these are the digital sidekicks that play well together and don’t nickel-and-dime you into frustration.
Stripe
Best for: Payment collection with international flexibility
Handles payments like a pro—especially if you work with clients across different countries and currencies. It has a clean setup and a powerful dashboard and integrates with almost everything.
→ Use it if you need reliable, no-drama payment processing.
Google Workspace
Best for: Professional email and beyond
Stop sending business emails from @gmail.com. Workspace offers branded email, cloud storage, calendars, and synced and scalable documents.
→ Use it for a polished brand presence and collaborative workflow.
WordPress
Best for: Building a website that grows with you
The website builder with growth potential. Not the simplest, but incredibly flexible. This is it if you want to own your platform and scale smart.
→ Use it if you want full control over your content, design, and features.
Carrd
Best for: Simple, stunning one-page sites
When you don’t need a full website—just a clean, professional place to point people. Great for landing pages, link-in-bio setups, or MVP launches.
→ Use it to get something live today without overthinking it.
2. Systems That Keep You Sane
Templates, workflows, and behind-the-scenes setups that help you stay organized and in motion. These aren’t rigid blueprints—they’re flexible frameworks to help you move forward with less decision fatigue.
Notion
Best for: Organizing your brain (and business)
A blank slate that turns into whatever you need—project tracker, content calendar, SOP hub, digital planner. Basically, it's your business command center.
→ Use it to centralize scattered ideas, plans, and to-dos.
3. People Worth Learning From
Mentors, creators, and fellow small-biz folks who consistently offer insight without the fluff. No vague motivational speeches—just smart ideas, honest experiences, and practical advice.
Kim Doyal
Best for: Creative business growth and real-talk content strategy
Why I follow: Kim brings soul to strategy. Her Women, Wisdom & Wealth Substack blends business insights with personal storytelling to help you feel better about your money mindset.
→ Read her Substack: Women, Wisdom & Wealth
Simple Is Profit (Mark Thompson)
Best for: Creating simple, profitable digital products and staying lean
Why I follow: Mark gets to the point. His writing is refreshingly direct and focused on what actually drives profit for solo creators
→ Read his Substack: Simple Is Profit
Yana GY
Best for: Newsletter growth, paid subscriber strategy, and AI-savvy systems
Why I follow: Yana doesn’t just talk tactics—she tests them. Her approach is built on data, experimentation, and sustainable systems that help creators grow without chasing gimmicks.
→ Explore her Substack: www.yana-g-y.com
4. Things I Use Weekly (or Daily)
The tools and habits I rely on so much, I don’t even think about them anymore—they just work. This is the shortlist I’d pack if I had to rebuild my business from scratch.
Grammarly
Best for: Quick writing polish
Like a second set of eyes that catches what you missed. It helps tighten your writing, adjust tone, and avoid embarrassing errors—without making things sound robotic.
→ Use it to clean up spelling and grammar on blog posts, client emails, and social content.
ChatGPT
Best for: Research, ideation, and instant feedback
From outlining content to brainstorming offers, this tool helps keep momentum going. Not perfect, but it’s like having a super-speedy thought partner.
→ Use it to get unstuck, generate ideas, and polish drafts.
Claude AI
Best for: A second opinion with context
It is my go-to when I need more thoughtful or longer-form output. It is great at summarizing big ideas or helping organize content.
→ Use it for deep work, long-form support, or when ChatGPT feels too quick.
5. Just For Inspiration
Sometimes, what we need isn’t a tool—it’s a spark. These books, podcasts, and ideas have reshaped how I work and think.
Keep Going by Austin Kleon
This book I’m currently reading isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about staying sane and steady while doing meaningful work.
I’m reading it to help get a grip on spiraling, stalling, or just need a reset button.