my favourite tools for your business
01/ systems & processes
02/ the ultimate starter trio
03/ design experts to learn from
04/ books, podcast
Canva
GRAPHIC DESIGN PLATFORM - FREE
A lifesaver for batching content! If you don’t have access to design software, Canva can help you with that. As a professional designer, I create my own templates for social media content in bulk (sometimes even on my phone!). It saves me so much time.
Planoly
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT - FROM $13/M
Visually plan your Instagram for that curated feed. Other than the normal functions of planning, scheduling, analytics, and hashtag groups, they have the placeholders and notes function where you can plan on the go without an image.
Website, social media & design platform that’s suitable for beginners
The ultimate trio to get you started
Squarespace
WEBSITE BUILDING & HOSTING - FROM $14/M
The website platform that I swear by. It’s a drag and drop builder with many creative possibilities. There are also email, scheduling, e-commerce, and membership area as an add-on. If you are looking for a professional site, this is the platform to use.
Hello Bonsai
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - FROM $17 / M
I use Hello Bonsai to send out proposals, contracts, and invoices + track my business revenue. An email will be sent to you when your client opens up your proposal. How cool is that? They also have all sorts of automation + project management features.
Asana
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL - FREE
Asana is where I do my client communication and track the status of my project. My client and I always know our deadlines and what’s coming up next. I use it to manage my personal to-do list as well. The free version is sufficient for me currently.
Notion
DOCUMENTATION & ORGANISATION - FREE
This is the brains of my business. I use it to plan and track my business growth. I also invite my clients to co-create with me here for brand strategy, social media calendar, and website copy workbook here. I am currently on the personal pro plan ($5 / M)
WeTransfer
FILE SENDING - FREE
I’ve been using this for yearssss! If you need to send out huge files (up to 2GB with the free version) without signing up for an account or dealing with pesky ads, this is the most fuss-free service you can ever get.
Google Workspace
EMAIL & DOMAINS - FROM $8 / M
All the Google tools for your business. A professional email, google drive, calendar, and everything else that you are familiar with. No more dealing with inboxes that don’t work. If you are based in Asia, I have promo code for 10% off your first year, just drop me an email!
Systems and processes that makes the backbone of your business
All that backend stuff
Flodesk
EMAIL MARKETING - FROM $38 / M
The best-looking email marketing tool out there in the market. Seriously I’ve never seen an interface like this and it is easy to navigate and set things up. The templates are easy to customize too! 100% will recommend if you are looking to up your email game!
HotJar
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL - FREE
Asana is where I do my client communication and track the status of my project. My client and I always know our deadlines and what’s coming up next. I use it to manage my personal to-do list as well. The free version is sufficient for me currently.
Google Analytics?
EMAIL & DOMAINS - FROM $8 / M
All the Google tools for your business. A professional email, google drive, calendar, and everything else that you are familiar with. No more dealing with inboxes that don’t work. If you are based in Asia, I have promo code for 10% off your first year, just drop me an email!
When you are ready to level up and get into the nitty gritty of your business
Marketing tools
Lito
LIFE & WELLNESS & BUSINESS - PODCAST
If you only have time to listen to one podcast this is the one! They have helped me with my mental wellbeing and discover what I really want in life. P.S. I left my job and started PassionSwirls because of them too. Podcast is free and they have a community subscription. If you would like to embark on your wellness journey alongside likeminded people, DM me, I will usher you in :)
Per our last email
FREELANCING NIGHTMARE CLIENTS - PODCAST
Hosted by the creative duo over @weekendcreative, laugh along with them as they read out crazy client stories people have submitted. Aside from their contagious la, learn how to set healthy boundaries and what’s not ok in freelancing. They also have awesome cocktails recipes every ep!
Insight Timer
EMAIL & DOMAINS - FROM $8 / M
All the Google tools for your business. A professional email, google drive, calendar, and everything else that you are familiar with. No more dealing with inboxes that don’t work. If you are based in Asia, I have promo code for 10% off your first year, just drop me an email!
Building a StoryBrand
MARKETING BOOK
An extremely useful book to marketing and positioning your brand. It is also straight to the point, and an easy read. Perfect for anyone who is starting out or even seasoned business owners who needs a refresher on how to clarify your messaging.
Some of my favourite business and wellness channels that I consume from time to time!
Books, podcast, youtube
Apple Cheeks
EMAIL & DOMAINS - FROM $8 / M
All the Google tools for your business. A professional email, google drive, calendar, and everything else that you are familiar with. No more dealing with inboxes that don’t work. If you are based in Asia, I have promo code for 10% off your first year, just drop me an email!
Jenna Kutcher
EMAIL & DOMAINS - FROM $8 / M
All the Google tools for your business. A professional email, google drive, calendar, and everything else that you are familiar with. No more dealing with inboxes that don’t work. If you are based in Asia, I have promo code for 10% off your first year, just drop me an email!
Branding w/ Bre
BRANDING COURSE - DISCONTINUED
Bre from Rowan Made shares her entire process, systems, and templates to run a brand design business. This course helped me pivot from a graphic designer to a brand designer in a short time.
Wayfarer
TEMPLATES FOR DESIGNERS
Presentations are what makes or break your work. Abbey has made these awesome templates that you can just plug in your work, and look super professional while saving lots of time.
Get the template bundle here →
Better brand designers
PODCAST FOR BRAND DESIGNERS BY BRAND DESIGNERS
Bre from Rowan Made shares her entire process, systems, and templates to run a brand design business. This course helped me pivot from a graphic designer to a brand designer in a short time.
Experts to learn from + Design books & Podcast I love
For my designers ❤
SquareStylist
SQUARESPACE COURSE
Bring your Squarespace website to the next level with code. Rache teaches foundations that are applicable to other platforms too. The weekly workshops alone make the investment super worthwhile.
Join Standout Squarespace Here →
Off Air Juicy Designer
DESIGN PODCAST
Bre from Rowan Made shares her entire process, systems, and templates to run a brand design business. This course helped me pivot from a graphic designer to a brand designer in a short time.