Small Business Tools, Supplies, and Resources
From online business tools, to books, to work essentials, below are all of my go-to business resources.
*I will be updating this list from time to time as I read new books, change software/tools, etc.*
*this post may contain affiliate links*
Online Business Tools
Acuity Scheduling for easy appointment scheduling
This is probably the best investment I’ve made thus far, and I am telling you that you need to make it too.
Since upgrading to the paid account, Acuity Scheduling feels like my first true assistant.
I pay for their emerging subscription, which gives…
Automatic reminder emails to your appointments (I have 2 that go out, 24 hours in advance and 30 minutes in advance)
Intake forms for your prospective clients to answer questions
Integration with Zoom, so if someone schedules an appointment with me, a Zoom link is automatically included in the calendar invitation
Integration with Stripe, my go-to payment platform
It also connects to Instagram and Facebook pages, so the “book now” link on both pages can go straight to your scheduler.
Invest in it.
Canva for marketing graphics
Hands down the best tool for making graphics. I use this to make Instagram posts, blog images, social media banners etc.
I upgraded to the paid version and find it totally worth it.
Stripe for easy payment processing
Super simple free (they do take a small fee from transactions) service for collecting business payments.
Quickbooks for accounting
Quickbooks Essentials is an accounting system that allows you to track and label your expenses, transactions, and cash flow. Basically, it is very important for you to stay on top of your money, and pay taxes once you become profitable. And if this stuff isn’t tackled upfront, it’s going to be very costly come tax time. So invest in this early on, and do your best with figuring out how it works. QB self-employed “they say” is ideal for independent contractors. Essentials is better for Small Businesses.
Office & General Online Business Supplies
The Simplified Planner as my physical daily planner
So I use my Google calendar to keep track of my meetings and big picture priorities, but to me, a physical planner complements the e-calendar nicely.
I keep my personal events in my physical planner. I also, every morning, glance at my e-calendar and plot my schedule out in my simplified planner along with what my other to-dos are.
As much as I wish to be paperless, it just doesn’t work for my sanity in the long run.
The Kate Spade Extra-Large Notebook for journaling
I don’t know if I am putting this here for you, or for me. I absolutely love these extra-large notebooks by Kate Spade and am entirely loyal to them. This is what I journal in every morning. It’s where I write and recite my affirmations. It’s where I do my brain-dumping and big dreaming.
I don’t take general notes in this notebook because it’s way too nice for that. I use very underwhelming and traditional note pads for that.
They are often sold out, so just in case that link leads you nowhere, here’s another, and another.
The Pilot G2-10 Gel Pen for journaling and note-taking
Who doesn’t have a favorite pen? Probably a better question: are you on team gel, or not? If you’re looking for the smoothest writing instrument that makes note-taking easy as pie, this is your pen. Or I guess I should say, this is my pen. I use them constantly, have them all over my place, and order a new pack the moment I’m on my last one.
Quick note: If I am wanting a finer/cleaner line or writing in my planner (limited space), I use the Pilot G2-7. But I am always stocked with both.
Desk iPhone Holder for IG Lives & hands-free stories
I’ve had some questions about how I go “live” on Facebook and Instagram professionally, and the answer is this iPhone holder! I go live on Facebook on my laptop and have this holding my phone to go live on Instagram. I definitely recommend it to anyone who uses live video for marketing/content creation.
iPhone Ring Light for cloudy days
I use this to clip onto my iPhone when it’s a dreary Chicago day!
Very Basic Tripod for photos, videos, reels, etc.
There are so many tripods to choose from, and I’ve been asked a lot which one I use.
And honestly? I use a really cheap one that works just fine.
When you first start a business, there are things to invest in and things you just don’t have to early on. You don’t need the fanciest equipment. You just need equipment that works. And this one definitely works!
Mindfulness Supplies
I’ve you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know I have a little bit of a morning routine.
Almost every morning I work out, I journal, I meditate, I recite affirmations and mantras and I read my vision.
Meditation Pillow/Cushion for meditations, quiet time, etc.
I had a few inquiries about my meditation cushion, so I wanted to link it here for you! Well transparently mine is out of stock at the moment, but this one is VERY similar with great reviews.
Favorite money, business, and life coaching books
MONEY & BUSINESS BOOKS
You Are A Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
The number one book I recommend to anyone who desires money and is totally averse to reading the really “cheesy” books about it like I have listed below.
Whether you love money and have a great relationship with it and you want more of it, or you’re anxious about money at all times and have a lot of befriending to do, this is the book for you.
Jen drops the F-bomb, makes you laugh a ton, and makes you stop worrying so g-damn much and gets you to start doing something about it.
I know you will love it. It’s not even a question.
You will love it.
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Great book for business mentoring, money coaching, and confidence building.
Not only do we need more books telling us that we should be millionaires, but we need a powerful Black woman on the cover of them.
Rachel gets you to believe big and do big. Pick this book up if you’re looking for a business mentor in a book.
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles
My NEWEST number one recommendation for anyone desiring more wealth and wants the cut-and-dry way of learning how to achieve it.
It is a quick read and covers all the basics of how to make and attract more money into your life.
I didn’t read it for so long thinking it was the same as Think and Grow Rich and it’s not at all.
It’s 100x better.
Read it.
Disclaimer: it was written in 1910 (1910!!!!!!) and there is one very outdated and slightly offensive word used in the book (it is not used in an offensive way, the word is just retired from our language by now so seeing it is surprising). It bothered me enough to create a disclaimer, but not enough that I won’t recommend the book. Ya dig?
Rich as F*CK by Amanda Frances
A great money read for women specifically who desire nice things but are trapped in self-doubt and insecurity.
Great journaling exercises throughout the book.
Do them if you’re serious about uncovering your money BS.
LIFE COACHING BOOKS
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
Yes, this book is just as good as the money one, but it’s more focused on your life. If your life is lame AF and you find yourself just going through the motions of it all, then read this book. Also if you are ready to transform your life, contact me and inquire about life coaching. Because I believe every single person can live the life they dream of if they just decide that they are going to. You included.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The most transformational book I have ever read in my entire life.
For it to have the maximum effect, read it when you are in a position of adversity. I read this one and you are a badass after a 5-year relationship ended and combining the two of them was like sipping a cocktail that turned me into Beyonce.
I was honestly unstoppable.
I stopped shedding tears, booked a 10-day trip to Spain, bought a new car, sold my condo, bought a condo double the price of my first condo, got a substantial raise at work, and just ended up living my best life in so many ways.
If that didn’t sell you just now, I don’t know what will. This book was also the reason why I was able to bounce back from getting laid off within 24 hours of the news, and then focus all my energy in starting a business.
It’s just powerful.
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
This book had me admitting finally that I was meant to start a coaching business. I read the preface and cried hysterically in my bed, wishing that I didn’t want to be what I knew deep down I wanted to be.
I know that sounds perplexing, like “why would you be crying for realizing your passion?”
The answer is because entrepreneurship is hard. And income isn’t guaranteed. And I have to put myself out there, like a helluva lot, to succeed. And some people are judging me or wanting me to fail. And for all of those reasons, I wished I didn’t want to create this life for myself. I wished that I could just be happy and satisfied with a regular job. But the truth is I wouldn’t be. I was meant to be an entrepreneur.
The Alchemist is a beautiful story about a boy finding his purpose. And if you need a feel-good story like this, then this is it.
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Ok, friends! That is all I’ve got for now. If I have forgotten anything please let me know. Don’t hesitate to message me on Instagram if there are any additional books, tools, supplies etc. you want me to add to this list. But I hope this is helpful. If you use any of the tools above or read any of the books I suggested, please let me know! DM me or tag me in your Instagram story and I’ll be sure to reply.