NO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OPERATES WITHOUT HELP
50 tools every entrepreneur needs
Below is a list of tools, templates and products that I personally use to run, scale and automate my online business. Steal my favorites to quickly take your business to the next level!
instagram tools & templates
This Canva Social Graphics Pack allows you to seamlessly communicate your branding across all channels, without having to do any of the heavy lifting! It includes IG story and post templates, Pinterest pin designs and Facebook cover templates!
Have you seen those fun, Q&A templates floating around Instagram lately? Create your own and be the next viral hit with these fantastic Instagram Stories Q&A Templates!
Take the headache out of planning an Instagram puzzle feed (you know the feed where each image seamlessly connects to the one above and below it?!) with this awesome template! It's super easy to use and comes with a great step-by-step tutorial.
Do your Instagram photos need a little more oomph? Check out these Lightroom Presets! They're super easy to apply and will take your photos to the next level in just a few clicks! Don't have Lightroom? Check out this Mobile Preset Pack instead!
If you're trying to make it as an Influencer or Blogger, you need a Media Kit! This Media/Proposal Kit has 14 pages and is easily customizable in Canva! Want a simpler option? Try this two-page media kit instead!
Searching for, or creating your own quote graphics can be quite time consuming, that's why I love this beautiful Entrepreneurial Quote Pack! It includes 305 different quotes - that's almost an entire year's worth!
camera equipment
My personal camera of choice! The Canon 6D Mark ii takes beautiful photos without effort and has insane auto-focus in video! It's the perfect camera for anyone looking to learn how to use a DSLR. It will go with you from beginner to advanced!
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Lens is what I have on my camera at all times. It takes the perfect landscape, portrait and product photos! Because of the low F stop you can get that amazing blurry 'bokeh' in the background that you see in every insta-pro's images!
The Rode VideoMic is the #1 mic for vloggers & video makers. It's lightweight, easy to set up, and provides clear audio without picking up background noise. This makes it ideal for recording audio in pretty much any environment!
This DSLR Ring Light provides excellent 'natural light' to your photos and videos. It has multiple adjustment options so you can choose your desired level of brightness. Bonus - it's super easy to attach & travel with!
This lightweight K&F DSLR Tripod is a super sturdy, folds up small and has an easily adjustable (and quality) ball head. It allows you to take photos at any angle and has super smooth panning so your panoramic shots & videos come out crystal clear. This is the perfect companion for any photographer!
Not sure you want to carry around a DSLR? Go for a mirrorless camera instead! The Sony Alpha a6000 is perfect for novice or pro photographers, provides amazing quality photo and video, and is half the size & weight of conventional DSLRs!
smartphone accessories
The Ztylus 3 in 1 Smartphone Lens allows you to dramatically improve your photos without investing in a new camera! It simply snaps onto your phone and transforms the lens into a 60mm telephoto, 16mm wide angle and a 10x macro lens!
The GripTight Gorilla Tripod is a must-have for anyone using their phone to capture photo and video regularly. The unique design allows you to wrap the legs around objects, giving you an entirely new perspective to your shots! It also doubles as a selfie stick and a stabilizer!
Have you noticed the sound quality on your phone is kinda fuzzy, no matter what model you have? Attaching a small Lavalier Microphone like this will drastically improve sound quality which makes your content easier and more enjoyable for your audience to consume!
Beach vacation coming up? This Underwater Phone Case is a must-have if you want to capture amazing photos while surfing, diving, snorkeling, skiing, kayaking & more! Don't have an iPhone, here's a waterproof case for Samsung phones!
Are your devices always dead? You need a Portable Phone Power Bank! This power bank charges your phone (and other USB compatible devices) safely and quickly, so you never have to frantically search for a place to plug in again!
Self conscious about taking video of yourself? I can relate! This SmartPhone Ring Light instantly improves your photo quality, lighting and skin tone! This model has three different light selections to choose from and adjustable arms help you achieve the perfect angle!
software & automations
SkillShare is a must-have resource for any entrepreneur. This platform offers thousands of video courses that teach everything from marketing to graphic design to filing your taxes! Click here for two FREE months!
Adobe Lightroom is a must-have for any budding instagrammer or photographer. With lightroom you can quickly and easily make small edits or make massive changes to any photo!
Later is my personal Instagram scheduler of choice. It allows you to auto-post, preview what your feed will look like and includes extremely detailed analytics so you know what's working and what's not! Use code: VIPALEXTOOBY for one FREE month!
Tailwind offers a double-whammy by allowing you to schedule both Pinterest pins and Instagram posts! I personally use it for Pinterest and am very happy with it's features!
SamCart is the ultimate tool for any entrepreneur selling online. Its a payment gateway that allows you to not only sell your product but implement upsells, subscription plans, free trials & more! A must have for increasing conversions!
Want to start making more sales? Use Deadline Funnel! This software allows you to add countdown timers to almost anything (including in emails!) It creates urgency and pushes people to take action!
website & biznecessities
SiteGround is my personal host of choice. Many hosting companies are similar these days so there's plenty to choose from, but if you value great customer service, SiteGround definitely delivers!
Ever received an email from me? ConvertKit was behind that! It's (in my opinion) the best email marketing software on the market currently. Perfect for beginner to advanced business owners & it's FREE (to start!)
Ready to monetize your site and your Instagram? Shopify can help you set up an easy to manage & beautiful online store! It also seamlessly connects with IG so you can tag your products in your posts!
Thrive Themes has completely changed the way my website and business operates. They have an entire suite of website tools including a drag & drop page builder, lead collector, quiz builder, countdown timers & more!
Considering creating a course to sell to your audience? Great idea! Use Teachable to host the content, collect payment and manage all of your students!
Bluehost is one of the most reputable hosting companies out there and is recommended by WordPress themselves! They have affordable prices, flexible packages and a great customer support team.
entrepreneurial books
Crushing It is just one of Gary Vee's epic entrepreneurial books. Gary knows how to kick anyone into gear and his no-bullshit insights on business should be heard by everyone!
Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your influencer status, this book by Brittany Hennessy will help you strategize your next big move, from seeking bigger partnerships to monetizing your influence.
If your dream is to ditch your gruelling 9-5 and start earning income without completely sacrificing your hobbies and sanity, The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss will be your ultimate guide!
A common misconception to living a happy, productive life is that you have to be positive all the time. In The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, Mark Manson describes how confronting your trials head-on and conquering them leads to long-term happiness and success.
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso proves that being successful isn’t about where you went to college or your current financial status. It’s about listening to that little voice telling you to go for it, and knowing which rules to follow and which to break!
Many of my students struggle with the "social" aspect of Instagram because they are introverted by nature. This book by Beth Buelow helps you discover how introversion can actually be a valuable asset in marketing and business!
computer & office accessories
Working from a laptop? You need a laptop stand to move your computer to eye-level. I don't want you to end up with on-going back and neck pain!
Never lose any of your hard work again! An external hard drive is a must-have for any online entrepreneur. This one is durable, reliable, includes cloud storage import, backup and password protection!
Have you seen these felt letter board in Instagram posts? They're the perfect piece of decor for your office and the 'gram! You'll never run out of things to say (and fun ways to say them)!
This planner takes organization and goal setting to an entirely new level! It includes specific pages to help manage your daily tasks, positive mindset, life goals, business strategy and more!
Who doesn't want a levitating moon lamp for their office?! This office addition not only looks cool but it's also an awesome prop for Instagram photos!
Keep track of your goals and endless to-do lists with this Whiteboard / Corkboard duo! Perfect for the person who needs visuals and loves to cross things off her list!
video & lighting
This Professional Ring Light Kit instantly smooths out and evens skin tone, boosts the quality of production and makes everything look professional! This kit includes an adjustable tripod, adapter for both smartphones and DSLR cameras, warm and cool light panels & a carrying case!
Creating videos for YouTube or your next course? Great lighting makes all the difference. Transform your video from amateur to advanced with the Neewer 700W Softbox Lighting Kit. This kit will help you achieve the perfect shot, every time, with soft, continuous light!
This Backdrop Support Kit is an essential tool for any indoor video creation. Easily transform any room into a studio by fastening the backdrop of your choice to this stand. It can accommodate sheets, fabric, paper, etc to create a seamless and beautiful backdrop for everything you create!
Want to take your video creation to the next level? This DSLR Gimbal will help you get incredibly smooth, professional video footage in any setting. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to use. There's a smartphone version, too!
The DJI Mavic Air Drone is a must-have for every travel enthusiast and videographer! Drones can capture views that will wow you and your audience! This Mavic Air requires minimal setup, is easy to fly, has incredible range, and outputs excellent photo/video quality!
The Blue Yeti USB Microphone offers clean, crisp recording for YouTube, Podcasting, Skype calls, music creation and lot more! No driver installation required - just plug into your computer's USB port and start recording!
instagram courses
The Instagram Ivy League is a complete A-Z resource that teaches you how to build a targeted and engaged following, create content that wows visitors and speaks to your target market, strategically design Instagram stories that show off your authority, educate your audience, increase your engagement & encourage sales. Additionally you'll learn how to craft the perfect post, collaborate with others, implement a paid advertising strategy, create a lead magnet, start your email list and more! This program is truly like no-other and will be the ONLY Instagram resource you ever need.
Please note: this page includes affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission in the event that you purchase one of these amazing tools (which I fully back!). This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the creation of the free content that goes into this site. Thanks for your support!
