EVERYTHING I USE
TO KEEP MY BUSINESS MOVING
Here are the tools and platforms I use in my own business every day. They help me design, stay organised and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. You absolutely do not need all of these to start or grow your business, but each one has made my work easier in different ways.
I only recommend tools I genuinely use and trust, so if they’re listed, it’s because I believe they’ll make your workflow feel lighter too. There is no gatekeeping here. If something supports my work, I’m happy to share it. I don’t recommend anything I haven’t used myself - if it isn’t here, I either tested it and didn’t love it or it simply wasn’t the right fit for me.
I’ll keep updating this Toolkit as tools evolve, improve or as I discover new favourites. Some links are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A growing collection of tools and tricks to help you build with confidence
A global community of photographers offering beautiful, artistic photos - ideal for banners, moodboarding, website mockups and fillers while you build your brand photography
Unsplash
A huge library of free, high-quality images. Great for lifestyle, creative and brand visuals that don’t feel too “stocky.”
Pexels
I use Loom to record quick walkthroughs, tutorials and explanations for clients. It removes the need for long emails or meetings and lets clients revisit key information in their own time. A brilliant communication tool that saves hours.
Loom
My go-to for quick mockups, social media graphics and client template work. Some designers like to joke that Canva isn’t for “real” designers but honestly, who has the time for that conversation. Canva has its place. It’s fast, accessible and perfect for clients who want to update their own assets without stress. When speed and ease matter, it’s brilliant.
Canva
When a project needs depth, nuance or a more crafted finish, I turn to Adobe. Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign give me the control and precision that heavier design work requires. This is where brand assets, detailed illustrations and polished visuals come to life. It’s powerful, reliable and a core part of my design toolkit.
Adobe Creative Cloud
The platform I use to build every website I design. Showit gives complete creative freedom, no code needed, and flexibility so each brand feels totally unique.
Showit
DESIGN TOOLKIT
Where I keep email, docs, contracts, shared drives, shared documents and day-to-day admin - clean, secure and dependable. Great if you want a simple, professional setup without juggling multiple tools.
Google Workspace
My go-to accountants. It’s no secret that for me, accounts is the worst part of running my own business. They take care of everything from bookkeeping to accounts, giving me peace of mind and freedom to focus on creative work.
Crunch Accounting
My client-management system. Bloom helps me send contracts, questionnaires, invoices, messages and forms all in one place so I can spend less time on admin and more time on design.
Bloom.io
STUDIO MANAGEMENT
ThriveCart is brilliant if you're creating digital products, templates or mini-courses and want a seamless, high-converting checkout. It’s known for strong funnels, simple upsells and the fact you pay once rather than monthly. Great for creators building out a product ecosystem.
ThriveCart
Shopify Starter is ideal if you want a simple, reliable way to sell digital products or small offers, especially through Instagram. It takes minutes to set up and is perfect for creators who want a clean, trustworthy checkout without the overwhelm of a bigger e-commerce build.
Shopify Starter
Simple, beautifully designed email marketing - just right for creative businesses that want gorgeous newsletters without overwhelm.
Flodesk
MARKETING & SALES
The platform I use to plant a tree for every website project. Transparent, meaningful and one of the easiest ways I know to give back to the planet.
Ecologi
My favourite fitness app for busy creative mums. It helps me stay strong and feel grounded even when life gets hectic. I include it here because your wellbeing is part of running a sustainable business and this app has genuinely helped mine.
Her Strongest Self (HSS)
WELLBEING & THE PLANET
For every website I build I also plant a tree through Ecologi so your project has a real and lasting impact on the planet.
the ENVIRONMENT
In 2026 I am donating 5 percent of every project to six charities close to my heart supporting families, children and communities who need it most.
CHARITY
Creativity and conscience go hand in hand here. For the Brave is built on the belief that design should make a positive difference in the world and I’m committed to giving back in ways that matter.
Environment + Impact
When you partner with for the brave, you’re not just building your own future - you’re helping others too.
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