While running your life
I challenge you to find me someone who has been on social media since 2020 who hasn’t seen a post about starting a side business or finding new streams of revenue. They probably don’t exist, because that has become a common thread across all conversations when talking about navigating life during and after the pandemic. While I agree that you shouldn’t solely rely on a single source of income, there are more nuisances to it that we have to address. That’s what I intend to do for you here, wrapping up with my all time favorite tools for all kinds of entrepreneurial ventures.
https://bchicpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1766784/13136558-running-a-side-business-while-running-your-life
In this episode, I go over the importance of time blocking, determining milestones, creating “intermediate packets” (a concept from “Building a Second Brain”), and tracking expenses from the very beginning. And what you’re all here for…a list of top tools I’d recommend!
Solopreneur tools to use
I’ve used so many tools overtime when getting my business started and each have their strong points. Here are the ones I’m using now and pretty much swear by:
- Google Workspace: Google Drive and email for business, but the email is at your own domain.
- Google Voice: Add on a new phone number to keep your information private and keep it professional.
- Google Domains: Host your domain here and easily connect to Google Workspace.
- Notion: my favorite project management app! Trello, Asana, and Clickup are also highly used.
- Siteground and WordPress: host your site and build it out like a blog.
- Payhip: my current favorite for hosting my website, selling digital products/services, publishing a blog, and hosting my membership. And it’s all with a free account. You pay 5% per transaction.
- Wix or Squarespace: host and build out your eCommerce or portfolio site at these sites.
- Etsy: the #1 online marketplace for handmade sellers. My digital products are sold there for additional exposure.
- Paypal/Stripe: payment processing to receive debit and credit card payments through your business, online and in-person.
- Mailchimp or Convertkit: great for starting email marketing for free.
- Mailerlite: great free email marketing platform (I haven’t tried yet, but the features list is stacked!)
- Buzzsprout: podcast hosting site, and they’ve recently integrated advertising and AI generation.
- Canva Pro: great for beginner level designing and many professional templates are available.
- Vixer: video editing for TikToks, Reels, Shorts, etc. Paid app on Apple. (I personally like it better than CapCut for TikTok.)