Simplicity is key….but so are some really dang good tools that help you run your business well despite chronic conditions! And for that benefit, a little extra on the sparkles go a long way!

There are a few foundational tools every entrepreneur needs to run a business, if you have chronic conditions, these tools become your life lines, day savers, and supermans on days when symptoms are hightened and your energy and focus are dragging!

»  Tool # 1 – Google Drive

Obviously we need somewhere to house and organize all the things that come along with running a business. But how much more awesome is it that this place also creates docs, spreadsheets, presentations (think webinars), forms, and SO much more?!

Ok so I’mma geek out just a little bit here and give you a little breakdown of the behind the scenes in my businesses

1.  I organzie folders by “department” like these:

• • • • • Security
        • Website
        • Marketing
        • Legal
        • Resources
        • Programs Taken

2. Within each folder I’ll break it down a little further if needed. The idea behind this is that, for instance, when I had a V.A. helping with social media, I wanted to share specific folders with her inside marketing but she didn’t need access to every category in Marketing, just what was applicable to her duties and what might help her do her tasks better but without overwhelming her with all the tkhings.

» Tool #2 – Canva

If you haven’t yet, totally go check out my mini-tutorial post on how I set up my Content Creation System for FREE using Canva, then come back over here 😉

okay, so if you checked it out, you can totally see how I systematize anything and everything I can!

In fact, confession, I spent 7 hours today fighting with a spreadsheet to narrow decisions for me on brain fog days and make sure I’m diversifying my content….I kinda won a battle and kinda lost a battle but it’ll really reduce HOURS every month in the future when I sit down to plan, so it’s worth it! This spreadsheet is legit the step before logging into Canva and it shows me what needs to be created 😉

Back to Canva!

I still use the free version of Canva and can usually do most everything I need as far as graphics, presentations, flyers, and so much more! I use it’s ability to create video graphics for stories/reels but I tend to use Adobe Rush for my video editing and compilation but a lot of that is just because I’m used to it and it’s a habit.

» Tool #3 – Zoom

I still use the free version of Zoom also lol 

It works great for client meetings, recording tutorials/webinars/challenges, coffee chats with your growing network, etc.

I probably use this tool equally as much as the others listed and I never would have guessed that I would in the beginning of my business.

I’ve used Zoom combined with a private Facebook® Group to host challenges, record trainings, practice lives lol, a ton of different combos.

PRO TIP:

If you’re not excited about being on camera, obviously you can practice with your phone doing ordinary tasks to get comfortable with it, but if hosting a challenge or webinar for an audience wrecks your nerves, simply start a private Facebook® Group, click ‘Go Live’ and ‘Share Screen’ then in another tab start a zoom meeting and minimize the window. 

You can practice bringing energy to a “webinar” before you actually host your first one. Plus rewatch it to see where you get hung up, need to know your slides more, etc.

» Tool #4 – Trello

If you’ve been around this corner of the web for any length of time, you’ll know I love me some Trello! Yes, there are other platforms and some of them I use and love equally but Trello is what I started with, learned quickly, and still use today because it does what I need and I don’t want to take the time to learn the same functions in other platforms…also, I’m still on the free version of Trello too.

Just a few of the things I use Trello for in my personal life and businesses:

1. Content System

2. All-in-One Meal Plan/Recipe/Grocery Shopping System

3. PR/Features/Speaking/Publications System

4. Event Marketing Workflow

5. Email Nurturing System

Alrighty, there you have it. My 4 Tools Every New Spoonie Entrepreneur needs to set a foundation of systems and functionality in their life and business! 

I hope this was helpful! There’s a few more we could geek out over but I don’t want to overwhelm you and these 4 will definitely get your business off the ground and set up on a good foundation to build and grow!

That’s all for now! Chat soon and God bless!