From One Business Owner to Another
In addition to my passion for natural, non-toxic living, I’ve spent decades running multiple businesses and supporting others as a business consultant and executive assistant. Over the years, I’ve tested countless tools and platforms to find the ones that truly save time, simplify processes, and help businesses thrive.
As a fellow small business owner, I know how overwhelming it can be to juggle all the moving parts. Just like simplifying your home environment, simplifying your business tools can free up time and energy for what matters most. That’s why I’ve created this list of my favorite resources—tools I personally use and trust to make running a business just a little easier.
This list will continue to grow, so check back often. I only recommend products and services that I know and love. I may receive payment if you decide to invest in one of these products–at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Ingredients for a Thriving Business
These tools and platforms are your recipe for success
Click below to jump to the details:
Business Finances
- FreshBooks: Streamline your business finances with a user-friendly platform.
- QuickBooks Online: Manage your cash flow, invoices, and expenses with cloud-based tools.
Business Growth Platforms
- Champagne Society & Champagne Room Platform: All-in-one tools and coaching for coaches and educators.
Everyday Tools:
- HP Instant Ink: Never run out of printer ink—save money and time.
Organization & Productivity
- AirTable: Simplify your to-do lists, databases, and projects in one versatile app.
- AppSumo: Discover lifetime deals on business tools and resources.
- Canva – Everyday Visual Design Made Easy
Web & Tech Solutions
- GreenGeeks: Web hosting with excellent customer support.
- Group Collector: Automate collecting Facebook Group answers and streamline your workflow.
Why Airtable is My Go-To for Organization and Databases
I can’t believe it took me so long to start using Airtable—especially since it’s FRE*E! It’s hands-down the best way to create and manage a database without struggling to make Excel do things it wasn’t designed for.
Airtable is incredibly versatile and user-friendly, with an app for on-the-go access and easy table sharing for groups. I use it to manage to-do lists, organize social media posts, track gardening notes, cross-reference homeopathy remedies with symptoms and articles, and store health and toxin information. One standout feature is the ability to create forms that automatically populate your database—perfect for tasks like coordinating our church’s meals ministry while keeping it simple for those filling them out.
Airtable does so much more than I can list here, so if you’re looking for an intuitive and powerful organization tool, I highly recommend checking it out!
Why I Love AppSumo for Business Tools and Resources
AppSumo has become one of my favorite go-to platforms for finding great deals on business software, tools, and courses. They consistently offer innovative solutions at incredible prices, and their lifetime deals are especially appealing for those of us who love investing in quality programs without the burden of recurring costs.
I’m always on the lookout for their lifetime deals on tools and programs I’ve been considering, and AppSumo has helped me discover new resources I didn’t even know I needed! Whether it’s streamlining my workflow, upgrading my marketing, or exploring new educational courses, their offerings have been a game-changer for my business.
If you’re looking for high-value tools to support your business growth, AppSumo is definitely worth checking out.
Why I Recommend Canva
Canva is hands-down one of my favorite tools—it’s so versatile, and I use it every day! Whether I’m creating social media graphics, presentations, flyers, or even website visuals, Canva makes design quick and easy, even for non-designers.
Its drag-and-drop interface and massive library of templates, fonts, and images save so much time. The ability to collaborate on projects and share designs seamlessly with others is an added bonus. Plus, their Pro features—like background removal, brand kits, and resizing options—are worth every penny.
If you want a tool to elevate your visuals without needing advanced design skills, Canva is a must-have!
Why I Recommend the Champagne Society and Champagne Room Platform
If you’re a coach, consultant, or online educator feeling overwhelmed by tactics, tech, or the sheer effort of growing your business, The Champagne Society by Melissa Ricker is exactly what you need with straightforward, step-by-step guidance.
The Champagne Room software is an all-in-one solution that brings all the foundational tools you need into one streamlined platform. Say goodbye to juggling multiple tools—it’s all here:
- Customer Relationship Manager
- Calendar Scheduler
- Website & Funnel Builder
- Course Platform
- Membership Portal
- Automation Builder
- Email & SMS Marketing
- Contracts & Proposals
- AI Copywriter Tools
By replacing multiple subscriptions with this all-in-one solution, you not only save time but also save money—making it a smart investment for your business.
Beyond the tools, what sets The Champagne Society apart is the support. Melissa’s monthly “Strategy Behind the Tech” sessions are invaluable, breaking down how to use the tools effectively and—just as important—the “why” behind them. And Darlene’s coaching has been instrumental in helping us refine our marketing strategies and apply them for real results.
With templates, email sequences, and automations ready to go, The Champagne Room simplifies your processes and gives you the clarity and confidence to grow your business.
If you’re ready to ditch the overwhelm, save money, and make real progress, check it out through my link. It’s been a total game-changer for me, and I highly recommend it!
Why I Recommend FreshBooks for Business Finances
As a FreshBooks Certified Collaborative Accountant™, I can confidently say that FreshBooks is an excellent tool for managing your business finances. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or entrepreneur, it makes tracking expenses, invoicing clients, and managing cash flow simple and efficient.
FreshBooks stands out for its intuitive interface, robust features, and seamless collaboration between business owners and their accountants. It’s a fantastic alternative for clients looking to switch from QuickBooks Online, offering a smoother, more user-friendly experience without sacrificing functionality.
If you’re looking for a stress-free solution to streamline your business finances, I highly recommend FreshBooks. I’m here to help you get started—and I can even get you a 15% discount!
Why I Recommend GreenGeeks for Hosting and Email
I recently moved my website hosting and email over to GreenGeeks, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision! Not only am I saving money every year, but their onboarding and migration services have been exceptional.
One standout feature that made the transition so smooth is having a dedicated Customer Success Specialist (huge shoutout to Bryan!) who I can contact directly during the process. This personalized support has made a big difference, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by their commitment to customer satisfaction.
If you’re looking for reliable, hosting with excellent service, I highly recommend GreenGeeks. They’ve exceeded my expectations at every step!
Why I Recommend Group Collector for Facebook Groups
Group Collector is an absolute must-have for anyone managing a Facebook Group. It simplifies the process of collecting member responses to your group questions by automatically saving them to Google Sheets and integrating seamlessly with your email marketing software.
This tool saves so much time and effort, eliminating the manual copy-paste routine while ensuring you don’t lose valuable data from potential members. Plus, you can grab it here for a one-time payment of just $79 for the lifetime deal—an incredible value for what it offers!
If you’re serious about managing your Facebook Group efficiently, Group Collector is definitely worth checking out!
Why I Recommend HP Instant Ink
This service has been a total game-changer for me! No more last-minute panic when I run out of ink while printing late at night for an early morning event (yes, procrastinators, this one’s for us!). HP Instant Ink ensures you always have ink on hand by automatically sending you cartridges before you run out.
The best part? You pay by the number of pages you print, so no more stressing about printing in color versus draft mode. The savings are incredible too! To give you an idea, my printer uses four cartridges that usually cost over $70 per set. Last year, I changed cartridges six times, which would have cost me $420. With HP Instant Ink, they sent me ink six times before I needed it, and I only paid $115.18—saving me over $300!
HP Instant Ink offers several plans to fit your needs, with popular options ranging from $4.99/month (50 pages) to $13.99/month (300 pages). We even have one of our old printers on the $1.49/month plan (10 pages). You can easily switch plans between months as your printing needs change.
Use my link to get 1 FREE month of HP Instant Ink service and experience the convenience and savings for yourself!
Why I Recommend QuickBooks Online
As someone who has worked with QuickBooks since its earliest days—and with ProAdvisor access—I’ve seen firsthand how powerful and reliable it can be for managing business finances. While I’ve been a long-time fan of QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online offers many of the same great features with the added convenience of cloud access.
QuickBooks Online makes it easy to track expenses, manage invoices, and handle cash flow, all from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s a solid choice for small business owners looking for an all-in-one financial management tool.
While I’m focusing less on offering QuickBooks services in my business, my ProAdvisor expertise allows me to share insights and tips from years of working with the platform. If you’re thinking about using QuickBooks Online, it’s worth exploring!