For anyone who’s in the process of starting to dream about building their own business, or is in the early stages of entrepreneurship, creating a tech stack for your business can feel really overwhelming.
There’s so many options out there, more options than ever, and it can be really overwhelming to know which tools you really need.
You don’t want to overdo it with so many tools that you get bogged down in subscriptions and business expenses. But you do want to pick the right platforms that will not only make running your business more smooth and more professional, but actually help grow your revenue and protect your boundaries, your energy, and your life.
That last part is really what I care about.
In this week’s episode of the Built from Love podcast, I walk through the actual tools I’ve used over the years (many of them for over a decade) and the categories they fall into.
One of the first things I started noticing as my business grew was how much time I was spending on admin tasks. Downloading and uploading contracts. Sending invoices manually. Putting reminders in my Gmail calendar to remember when to follow up on payments. Using one platform for scheduling, another for forms, another for contracts.
I was trying to be as scrappy as possible to keep expenses low. But I was also relying on my own brain to hold everything.
That’s not scalable. And it’s definitely not sustainable when you’re balancing business and babies.
When I finally invested in proper systems, it single-handedly saved me so many hours. Not only does it save time and energy, it adds a layer of professionalism to the whole experience. Payments are reminded automatically. Contracts are signed inside one organized portal. Clients can see where we are in the process.
Put it in the system. Automate. Good systems equal more freedom. They equal scalability.
Inside the episode, I talk about six main categories of tools (plus a seventh bonus that isn’t software at all). I won’t go deep into the platforms here — I want you to listen for that — but I will share the categories because this framework is what really matters.
1. A Website
Your website is crucial virtual real estate. Especially if you are a virtual business owner, this is like someone walking down the street and coming across your brick and mortar shop.
It doesn’t need to be a massive undertaking in the beginning. I started my website design business with the simplest landing page and landed four clients off the bat. It just needs to clearly communicate who you are, who you serve, what you offer, and what the next step is.
Eventually, your website should become an ecosystem that generates leads for you day and night. But it can grow with you.
2. Email Marketing
It is so crucial that you own your audience. Social media is rented space. We have no ownership of it.
The number of people on your email list is in direct proportion to your revenue as you grow your business. Even if you haven’t officially launched your product, start building your email list early. Give people a reason to stay in touch with you.
3. A CRM System
If you work one-on-one with clients, this is the thing that will save you the most time. Contracts, invoices, scheduling, questionnaires, reminders — all housed in one place.
You do not want to rely on your own brain to remember when to send out that invoice. Especially not as a mom.
4. A Platform for Scaling (Courses or Digital Products)
This is something you can grow into. If you’re creating resources already, it can make sense to package them into something that can be sold more than once. Passive income is not super passive, but it can be a beautiful addition to your business once you have traction.
5. A Platform for Sharing Your Voice
For me right now, that’s podcasting. I truly believe podcasts are only going to continue to grow because people want to hear someone’s original voice. They want authenticity. They want to know it’s really coming from you.
If you’re thinking about starting something like that, start before you’re ready. Improve as you go.
6. A Writing Ecosystem
If you love to write, start writing. Whether that’s a blog or a platform that helps your work get discovered more easily, writing is still powerful. It creates connection in a way that short-form content often can’t.
And then…
7. Human Design
This is the tool that isn’t software.
Human Design helped me understand that I don’t need to work the same as everybody else. That I’m meant to work in short bursts. That I need rest. That I operate better as a guide than as a constant doer.
It helped me build a business that aligns with my energy, especially as a mom with limited time and limited capacity.
I really want to emphasize this part.
You do not need everything at once.
Pick systems that feel aligned to you and the way your business needs your energy protected. Add one at a time. Let your business grow into the next level before you invest in the next tool.
These platforms, layered slowly over the years, have helped me build an engine that supports my revenue goals while protecting my boundaries and my life.
So id you want to hear exactly which tools I use in each category and why I chose them — along with the mistakes I made along the way — I break it all down in this week’s episode of Built from Love.
Go listen to the full episode, and if you’re in the dreaming or early-building phase, take this as your reminder:
Start simply.
Test your offer.
Add one system at a time.
Protect your calm.
The rest can grow with you.
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