Business Tools
Dubsado | Software I use to manage invoices, contracts, payments and client management.
Airtable | If Google Drive had a baby with the coolest database you’ve ever seen, the result would be Airtable. It’s so amazing and I am always finding new uses for it.
Bluehost | I’ve hosted all my sites through Bluehost for years and have always loved the freedom self-hosting gives me.
WordPress | For now, my sites are all built on WordPress, but I’m hearing the siren song of Squarespace more and more lately.
Anchor | This is what I use to host my podcast files and submit the feed to iTunes. Super easy and more importantly, FREE. I love Anchor’s philosophies and ease of use.
Asana | What I use to organize my brain.
Spotify Premium | Because I realized if I was going to be listening to music all day every day while working, I didn’t want to listen to all the ads.
The Appothecary | A tool I needed so much I made it myself! This is my database of helpful apps, software and technologies that can help you run your business.
Communication
Slack | What did people do before Slack existed? Seriously, it must have been the Dark Ages.
Gmail | The one true love of my life.
Boomerang | Sending emails later keeps me looking professional and helps set boundaries with clients.
Inbox for Gmail | I am obsessed with this email app, even though I try really hard not to check email on my phone.
Design
Adobe CC Creative Suite | I routinely use Photoshop and Lightroom to edit photos and create graphic assets.
Canva | An amazing little tool that I recommend to anyone who doesn’t have a design background but wants to make pieces that look professional.
Unsplash + Pexels | Free, high-quality stock images.
A Color Story | What I use to edit all my Instagram photos.
Pixieset | How I deliver photo galleries to clients, friends and family.
Equipment
27″ Apple iMac | Yay for super-fast processing speeds and lots of memory! I added this (refurbished) computer to my arsenal this year and it’s helped make my work more efficient and more fun.
Macbook Pro | I work out of the house about 75% of the time, and this sturdy computer helps me do everything I need to do on the go.
Bose Headphones | These help me concentrate in the cafés I tend to frequent to get work done.
Blue Snowball iCE Microphone | This is what I use for recording my podcast. I used to use the Samson Go Mic and was really happy with it too.
Nikon D90 + 35mm f 1.8 lens | I’ve had this camera body for so long that it’s no longer available so I’m linking to the newer model! I have other lenses, but this one has essentially stayed put on my camera ever since I bought it 5 years ago – it’s great in almost every situation.
Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover A5 Notebook | I used to be a Moleskine girl but I am now a fierce convert – I love the larger page size, the little dot grid, and the smoothness of the paper in these books.
Uni-ball Jetstream 0.7mm pens | The best pen! Ever! Anytime I have to use something else, I am cranky.
Learning
Offscreen Dispatch | Useful links, app suggestions, and thoughtful articles.
The Useletter | Tons of tips for small business owners.
Tuesdays Together | My favourite monthly meetup for creative entrepreneurs.
Creative Mornings | I rarely miss this free monthly breakfast speaker series because I always leave inspired.
Note: Yes, some of the links on this page are affiliate links! That means that if you purchase something I recommend, I might get a small kickback or extra month of service. But I want you to know I would never recommend something I didn’t love and use! In my work I come across a ton of apps and equipment, but it takes a lot for something to make it onto this list.