The Business Tools & Resources We Use and Recommend

Running a business takes heart, time, commitment, and support.

Gavin and I both know firsthand that building a meaningful business is rarely a solo endeavor. Even for those of us who are independent, creative, intuitive, or highly self-directed, we need systems, tools, mentors, software, education, legal guidance, and community support to help carry the vision forward.

Over the years, we’ve experimented with many platforms, programs, and resources. Some we tried briefly. Others became trusted companions in our work and daily rhythms.

Below are some of the business tools, software, educational resources, and support systems we personally use, appreciate, or recommend to fellow entrepreneurs, especially those building heart-centered, service-based businesses.

Software & Platforms We Use

Canva - For graphics, presentations, social media posts, PDFs, workbooks, flyers, and visual branding. Canva has become one of the easiest and most accessible design tools for non-designers. We use it constantly ourselves and with our team.

Kajabi - An all-in-one website platform for online courses, community spaces, landing pages, email marketing, client resources, and program delivery. Kajabi allows us to keep many moving parts under one roof, which simplifies things considerably. Your first 30 days are free. 

Calendly - Simple scheduling that saves back-and-forth emails. Clients can book sessions, discovery calls, and meetings with ease.  Calendly syncs with your digital calendar and even sends reminders to your clients. And, most recently, the software includes video recording, summaries, and note-taking.

Google Workspace - Our digital filing cabinet and collaborative workspace with documents, spreadsheets, forms, presentations, videos, notes, and content outlines. We use Google Drive daily and appreciate the collaborative environment it creates. 

AI Tools We’re Using

ChatGPT - Excellent for brainstorming, outlining, refining writing, generating ideas, summarizing, strategy support, and creative exploration. One of the key skills is learning to ask thoughtful questions and provide context. 

Claude - We often find Claude especially strong at longer-form writing, nuanced editing, thoughtful analysis, and organizing complex ideas. This platform is really taking off with its co-work space and agents. More to be revealed. 

Gemini - Useful for integration with Google tools and research-oriented support. We’ve found it especially helpful when working within the Google ecosystem, as it has access to our Google folders, files, and emails (if we allow it). This supports knowledge management and content creation. 

Legal & Business Protection

Legal Love - A legal resource designed for spiritual entrepreneurs, creatives, and online business owners. Lisa Frayley has many DIY templates and comes from the heart. Helpful for contracts, legal templates, and business protections that still feel human and approachable. When I created my Business Soul Map certification agreements, I used Lisa's template. Get on her newsletter, and you'll be invited to free webinars, too. 

Alternative Balance Insurance - Liability insurance for wellness practitioners, coaches, and holistic professionals. Many practitioners overlook insurance until they need it. Having proper coverage creates peace of mind. Plus, Alternative Balance members have access to free online business education and networking. Both Gavin and I lead programs for the members. 

Josh Gerben / Gerben IP - Helpful resource and education around trademarks, copyrights, and protecting your business, brand names, courses, and intellectual property as an entrepreneur or creator. I've used him with my clients in the past, and he is straightforward and comprehensive. 

Programs, Coaching, & Support I Offer

Much of my work is devoted to helping entrepreneurs build businesses that are sustainable, aligned, relational, and rooted in who they truly are. This includes retreats, coaching, The Business Course, online networking events, and The Business Soul Map model. 

The Business Soul Map is the framework I developed to help service-based professionals build businesses that honor both practical structure and your inner life. Because business is not only a strategy. It’s energy, relationships, timing, communication, courage, boundaries, creativity, and the willingness to continue growing. Learn more about my coaching and schedule a discovery call.  

People We Learn From & Recommend

George Kao - An authentic business trainer for solopreneurs since 2009, George offers grounded guidance on authentic marketing, joyful productivity, and healthy marketing practices for soulful entrepreneurs. Gavin introduced me to George’s work, and I appreciate his Substack posts.

Joanna Sapir - A business strategist focused on helping holistic wellness practitioners build sustainable, profitable businesses. She has an excellent podcast and offers many free resources that are practical, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful.

Amy Porterfield - Amy is well known for helping entrepreneurs grow online businesses, especially through email marketing, digital courses, and list building. Her free trainings and podcast are rich with actionable insights.

Marisa Murgatroyd - Marisa offers resources and programs to help entrepreneurs grow their online businesses in creative, engaging ways. I especially recommend joining her email list and exploring her YouTube content. I participated in her yearlong business program in 2018. 

I'm grateful for all of the business tools available today.

And, it can feel overwhelming at times.

My encouragement is this: choose what genuinely supports your life, your energy, your values, and your way of working.

You do not need to build someone else’s version of success. You get to create a business that reflects who you are. 

Always trust your intuitive knowing, your gut, and your dreams. They will guide you where you want to go. 

A note of transparency: Gavin and I are affiliates for a few of the resources mentioned in this article, Kajabi, Legal Love, Alternative Balance Insurance, and Google Workspace. This means we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through one of our links, at no additional cost to you.

We only recommend tools, platforms, and services we genuinely use, trust, or believe offer meaningful value to entrepreneurs and service-based professionals.