Starting a new business? Feeling overwhelmed by all the moving parts? Been there! The good news is—there are tools out there that can save you time, energy, and sanity while helping you look polished and professional from day one.

I’ve tested so many platforms, apps, and services over the years, and these are the ones I actually use and recommend. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a small business owner, or someone just getting started, these tools will simplify your workflow and help you show up online confidently.

Let’s dive in—because I know you’ve got a million tabs open trying to figure this out!

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For Organizing Your Business: HoneyBook

Running a business is more than just creating—there’s contracts, invoices, scheduling, and client communication to manage. And let’s be real, keeping all of that in check can be a headache if you don’t have a system.

That’s why I love HoneyBook—it’s an all-in-one client management system (CRM) designed specifically for creatives. You can:
✔ Send proposals and invoices
✔ Automate workflows
✔ Schedule calls
✔ Accept payments—all in one place.

If you’re tired of manually piecing everything together, this is your solution.

💡 Pro tip: Get 30% off your first year with this link!

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For Graphic Design: Canva

No designer? No problem. Canva makes creating beautiful graphics so easy—even if you’re not naturally “artsy.”

Use it for:
✔ Social media posts
✔ Website banners
✔ Business cards
✔ Email graphics
✔ Presentations
✔ Literally anything visual.

With thousands of templates (and even AI-powered design tools!), you can look pro-level without hiring a designer.

💡 Pro tip: The Pro version lets you remove backgrounds, upload brand fonts, and access millions of stock images.

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For Video Editing: Descript

Want to create killer videos without spending hours editing? Descript is game-changing for podcasters, YouTubers, and social media creators.

✔ It automatically transcribes your videos so you can edit them like a Google Doc
✔ You can remove filler words (um, uh, like) with one click…it’s WILD!
✔ It has screen recording, subtitles, and AI-powered voice cloning

💡 Pro tip: If you create any kind of video content, this tool will save so much time.

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For Writing & Brainstorming: ChatGPT

If you’re staring at a blank screen wondering what to write, let me introduce you to your new best friend—ChatGPT.

This AI-powered tool helps you:
✔ Generate content ideas
✔ Write social media captions, emails, blog posts, and video scripts
✔ Draft sales pages & website copy
✔ Brainstorm business strategies

💡 Pro tip: Use it as a creative assistant…but always add your personality to keep things authentic!

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For Email Marketing: Flodesk

Building an email list is one of the best things you can do for your business. But let’s be honest—most email platforms are complicated.

That’s why I love Flodesk. It’s stunningly simple, lets you design gorgeous emails, and has an easy-to-use automation system.

✔ No tech headaches
✔ Drag-and-drop email builder
✔ Pre-built email workflows
✔ A flat monthly fee (no extra costs as your list grows!)

💡 Pro tip: If you’re tired of clunky email platforms, Flodesk is a game-changer.

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For Social Media Scheduling: Later

Want to plan, schedule, and auto-publish your content across Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, and more—all in one place? Later makes social media easier and more intentional, so you can stay consistent without feeling glued to your phone.

✔ Auto-posts to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest & LinkedIn
✔ Lets you schedule & preview your Instagram grid
✔ Link in bio tool to drive traffic from social media
✔ Helps you batch content & stay organized

💡 Pro tip: Later’s AI-powered caption suggestions and analytics tools make it a must-have for anyone looking to grow their social presence without stress.

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For Website Hosting: Showit

If you want a beautiful and customizable website that’s also easy to edit, check out Showit.

✔ Drag-and-drop design (no coding!)
✔ Fully customizable templates
✔ SEO-friendly
✔ Works seamlessly with WordPress for blogging

💡 Pro tip: If you’ve been putting off building your website because “tech is hard,” this is your answer.

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For Contracts & Legal Protection: The Contract Shop

One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make? Not protecting themselves legally.

If you’re a creative service provider (photographer, designer, coach, etc.), you need legit contracts. The Contract Shop has attorney-drafted, easy-to-use templates for:
✔ Client contracts
✔ Terms & conditions for your website
✔ Privacy policies

💡 Pro tip: Don’t wait until you have a problem to get legal protection—set yourself up right from the start.

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For Productivity & Focus: Notion

If you need a single place to keep track of ideas, goals, and to-do lists, Notion is a powerful all-in-one workspace.

✔ Plan content calendars
✔ Organize projects
✔ Take notes
✔ Track habits & business goals

💡 Pro tip: It’s like having a digital planner on steroids—highly recommend!

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Final Thoughts: Start Smart & Keep It Simple

When I first started my business, I spent way too much time trying to figure out the right tools—and let’s be honest, Google doesn’t exactly make it easy.

So consider this your shortcut—these tools will help you ditch the overwhelm, stay organized, and actually grow your business (without wanting to throw your laptop out the window).

👉 What tools do you use and love? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear!