10 Softwares I Can’t Live Without

Running a creative small business on your own is no small feat — between designing, emailing, packaging, and posting, it can feel like you’re juggling a hundred jobs at once. Over the years, I’ve tested what feels like every app and platform under the sun to make my workflow more efficient, my client experience smoother, and my brand look more professional.

These are the ten tools I truly can’t live without — the ones that help me run my one-woman business with ease (and a little sanity).

I send all my invitation proofs via Dubsado!

1. Dubsado

My beloved CRM (client relationship manager) — and honestly, my right hand. Dubsado keeps every project organized from inquiry to delivery, helps me automate repetitive tasks, and makes my client process look polished and professional from start to finish.

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2. Adobe Creative Cloud

Yes, it’s pricey. But if you’re a wedding stationer or designer, Adobe is non-negotiable. Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop — plus the shared libraries — make it possible for me to work faster, smarter, and at a professional level.

I love Canva for quick designs, but there’s just so much Adobe can do that Canva can’t.

3. Flodesk

Email marketing is one of the most overlooked (and underutilized!) tools in the creative small business world. Building an email list is so important — and Flodesk makes it easy, beautiful, and enjoyable. The templates are stunning, and it’s super intuitive to use.

A look inside Notion – there is also an app for your phone!

4. Notion

Holy cow — Notion changed my life this past year. I’m a list-maker to my core, and this platform lets me keep every aspect of my business organized in one place. Projects, social media planning, finances, course notes — everything.

5. Squarespace

I’ve been a Squarespace girl since day one. It’s beautiful, intuitive, and easy to customize with just a little bit of code.

Plus, I can sell products, courses, and stationery directly through my site. I love that I can buy high-end custom templates (like these) and make them feel totally unique to my brand.

6. Chatbase

Want a question widget on your site like mine? Chatbase is the secret. It scans your entire website (and any PDFs or info you upload) so it can answer visitor questions like a real assistant — without you ever needing to reply to another “quick question” email. You can even train it to use your tone of voice. It’s been a total time-saver for me!

7. Repurpose.io

Anything that saves me time as a one-woman show is worth its weight in gold. Repurpose automatically reposts my Instagram Reels to TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest — without me lifting a finger.

You can connect tons of other platforms, too, so your content actually works for you instead of collecting dust after one post.

A look inside Foil Pressure Dwell Heat, my foil printing course inside ThriveCart!

8. ThriveCart

If you’ve ever dreamed of adding passive income through courses or digital products, ThriveCart is the way to go. It hosts your products, manages checkouts, and even delivers your course content all in one place. I use it for all of my online courses and digital downloads — it’s simple, sleek, and reliable.

9. ChatGPT

I try to limit my use of AI, but I have to admit — ChatGPT has been a game changer for social media and content creation. From brainstorming captions to outlining emails or simplifying complex ideas, it’s like having a creative assistant on standby 24/7. If you’re not using it yet, start today. Trust me.

10. Shippo

Shippo is how I handle all of my shipping — every single order.

It syncs automatically with my website, calculates package sizes and weights, and even gives me discounted shipping rates across USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

It’s made my fulfillment process so much smoother and faster.

final thoughts

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final thoughts 〰️

I’m a big believer in working smarter, not harder — especially when you’re running the show solo. Each of these tools helps me stay organized, save time, and keep my client experience as seamless as possible.

I hope they help you do the same!

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. But I promise — I only recommend tools I personally use and love.