The Tools I Used to Launch My Business
I'm approaching 3 years in business, which has me reflecting on the rollercoaster of launching my own business. It was a whirlwind of excitement, a touch of terror, and a lot of "how do I make this work?!"
If you’re launching a business or have a business idea but are unsure about which tools and resources you will need to get started. I'm sharing the tools and assets that helped me get my business off the groung and a fairly low-cost way to get started.
Honeybook
Honeybook provides a wide range of services that can be beneficial for independent business owners when they are just starting out. They offer templates for contracts and proposals, as well as scheduling and booking features. You can also create systems to keep your business running smoothly with their automation feature. This is the magic of Honeybook – it simplifies the client journey, allowing you to create attractive proposals, send contracts effortlessly, and handle bookings like a professional. Additionally, it keeps everything organized, saving you from creating everything from scratch. This tool comes with a cost, but it’s worth it for all its functions.
Squarespace
Your website is your storefront to the world. I find Squarespace makes it easy to build a website, even if you're not familiar with web design. You have a ton of templates to choose from and you can drag-and-drop your way to a stunning site, complete with appointment booking features and built-in. They also have an email marketing feature—I use their email marketing feature to send my newsletters. You can subscribe to my list here! Squarespace offers varying subscriptions depending on the tools you’d like to include with your website purchase.
Google Sheets
When I started, I knew I needed to keep track of my expenses so that when tax time came around I wasn’t scrambling to figure them all out. You can use Excel to track these, but I like Sheets spreadsheets because I can access them from my phone making adding expenses as they occur pretty easy. Google Sheets is also great for creating invoices and generating reports. Plus, it's free and accessible from anywhere, making it a budget-friendly and convenient choice. You will need a Google account, but that is also free.
Canva
Don't let a lack of design skills hold you back. Canva is your one-stop shop for creating eye-catching marketing materials. From social media posts and stunning email graphics to professional business cards, Canva has a ton of templates, fonts, and images to make you look like a design pro. They have a free option or a premium option available. I started with the free and eventually purchased the premium option for all the time-saving features.
Business Photos
Speaking of visuals, don't underestimate the power of high-quality photos to elevate your brand. Whether it's showcasing your product, capturing your team's energy, or portraying the experience you offer, impactful photos grab attention, tell your story, and increase engagement. Invest in professional shots or get creative with your camera – authentic visuals go a long way in building trust and connection. The photo that was used in this post was from one of my branding sessions.
Notion
Staying organized is key, and Notion is your free content calendar command center. Map out your social media posts, blog ideas, and email campaigns in one central location. Notion also excels at project management, allowing you to collaborate with your team (or your future self!) and keep track of tasks and deadlines.
Starting a business can be overwhelming. I hope these resources and tools will help you feel more at ease about where to start. Embrace the journey and get ready to launch your dreams into the world.
