Resources
for
creative entrepreneurs
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cowork approved
Software
I’ve tested countless systems over the years. Below are the systems I’m consistently recommending to my clients and use personally.
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
An incredible, all-in-one platform for service providers to manage clients. Proposals, contracts, invoices, automations, scheduling appointments, and now an incredible internal payments system, Dubsado is truly like having your own VA.
20% off your first month with code "honeycombcreative"
I recommend:
Explore the deep dive
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
My all-time favorite project management system. ClickUp is an incredibly powerful tool for managing your business internally and externally. You can customize how you use so it makes sense for the way you work. They've also recently introduced features like Clips (a Loom replacement) and AI to help you learn from you.
I recommend:
get 10% off clickup
Explore the deep dive
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
Professional email & everything you love about GoogleDrive all in one easy subscription. I recommend getting professional email as soon as you start your business so you don't have to migrate later. You can easily start with the lowest plan and if you are like me with lots of files, you may benefit from the business plan.
I recommend:
get pro email
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
You probably know Squarespace as a website builder, but did you know they offer domains? In fact, they purchased GoogleDomains last year. Squarespace Domains is easy to use, offers built-in privacy protection (i.e. you won't get as much spam because your personal info is floating around with your domain), and allows you to easily sign up and manage professional email in the same place as your domain.
I recommend:
get a domain
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
When it comes to building a website, things can get overwhelming especially if you don't feel like you have the design or tech skills to build a website. Showit is an incredible easy-to-use, intuitive platform to build your website. You can choose to start from scratch if you like full design freedom and starting from a blank page OR my recommendation is purchasing a template or using Showit's built-in library of templates. Regardless of what you choose, you'll find that Showit has incredible support and an extensive help center that will have your back if you get stuck or have a question.
get a free month with code "honeycomb"
I recommend:
start building
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
Move over Slack, Telegram, and WhatsApp because Azura is here delivering a beautiful, on-brand communications platform built with users top of mind. Not only is Azura female-owned and founded, it's an impressively robust tool for only coming onto the market in early 2024. Head to the deep dive to see all the ways I'm using it and how it compares to other platforms you've likely tried.
10% off first month with code "honeycomb"
I recommend:
start your free trial
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
If you regularly conduct interviews, record content, do webinars, or record podcasts, you're going to love Riverside. Riverside is an incredibly simple (but powerful) video capture tool you can use directly in your browser like you would GoogleMeet. However, unlike recording in Zoom or GoogleMeet there are powerful features specifically made with content creators in mind. A few of my favorites are being able to download individual video and audio files for each person on the recording (especially useful if you are creating content or doing an interview) and the resize feature where you can automatically resize for social. There's also an amazing marker tool where you can flag an important clip WHILE you're recording instead of having to watch it back!
I recommend:
If you edit anything long-form, may I introduce you to your new best friend Descript? Look, I've tried Premiere Pro, GarageBand, and several online tools for video editing and nothing compares to the ease of Descript. One of my favorite features? Being able to edit using the transcript. So if I don't like something, I highlight it and delete like I would any of my long-form written content, only with Descript, it takes it out of the video. Brilliant and time-saving. They've also introduced Studio Sound which is an incredible tool to enhance the sound of your videos if you don't have a professional mic.
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
AI
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
Sure, you can use GoogleMeet or Zoom's internal recording tool for your meetings, but what about an AI bot that will summarize everything and give you the ability to share those notes? Fireflies allows me to be more present in meetings because I'm not preoccupied by trying to take notes and get through the meeting agenda at the same time. Fireflies also incorporates into ClickUp so I've set up trigger phrases that cue Fred (my bot) to create tasks if I say that trigger word. The more I've used Fireflies, the more its learned from me and subsequently is more accurate over time.
get 10% off any plan
I recommend:
start your free trial
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
AI
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
Communication when you're creating and collaborating can become tedious and email isn't the way. So instead of going round and round trying to understand exactly what a client or collaborator is looking for, I use Pastel to ensure there's clear communication. With Pastel, you're able to gather feedback that's not only clear, but communicate about the feedback within Pastel.
I recommend:
get better feedback
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
ConvertKit markets their platform for creators and has some unique content tools like paid newsletters and other forms of monetizing your content. It plays well with platforms you may be using to distribute your podcast, videos, or e using to distribute your podcast, videos, or long-form content. I use ConvertKit for my design business and targeted waitlists.
I recommend:
If you're looking for one of the simplest platforms for email management, I would recommend Flodesk. Flodesk started out focusing on beautiful emails and they absolutely deliver on that, but have recently introduced Checkout which is an answered prayer for anyone wanting to seamlessly sell digital products, offer single services, or simply not use a separate system for sales. Flodesk is also affordable and very intuitive. Even if you don't fancy yourself a "techy person", you'll find Flodesk is straightforward to use.
Klaviyo is my favorite platform for eCommerce email. Over the past 4 years that I've worked in Klaviyo, I've seen the platform evolve into a truly robust all-in-one email and SMS solution. They've also recently integrated a reviews feature so you can easily collect reviews via email without an additional paid app. Another incredible feature? Branded customer notifications. Now, through Klaviyo, you can easily create on-brand Shopify customer notification emails without having to write code! They've made some amazing updates to their workflows using AI to help you build workflows for your eCommerce biz without spending hours doing so.
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
For anyone selling courses, digital products, or ongoing subscriptions, you'll need an eCommerce platform to support them. While I typically recommend Shopify for most eComm stores, ThriveCart specializes in digital products and subscriptions. One of my favorite features is their lifetime plan where you pay a flat fee and never have to pay again for the platform. They also allow you to host your products and courses within the platform. Checkout can be customized depending on your needs and I find the platform to be fairly intuitive. Not the most intuitive platform for eComm, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be set!
I recommend:
I am likely not the first or hundredth person to tell you about Shopify. I've worked on the platform building stores for over eight years and it is my go-to platform for eCommerce. I've yet to find another platform that is as customizable or easy to setup as Shopify. You can go from concept to store in one day (not counting anything legal you'll need to set up). In the deep dive, I'll share my recommendations for themes, apps, pro-tips, hacks and more to make the most of your Shopify store.
Client management
project management
email & file management
domains
website builder
communication
video
meeting recording
feedback gathering
email marketing
ecommerce
design
You've no doubt heard of Canva, but have you explored Adobe Express? As a designer, I love my Adobe programs but often feel limited by their cloud and collaboration capabilities. Adobe Express is everything I love about Adobe, but online. All of your Adobe fonts are accessible and they have some really amazing features like being able to create multiple file sizes within one project. Another feature I'm loving right now is the Generative Fill which is one of Adobe's AI tools. It's really powerful and time saving. I find this especially helpful for creating ads or social content that needs to be sized for the feed and stories. I've yet to try it out for video editing but I do really love Adobe Express for documents I would traditionally create in InDesign.
I recommend:
The queen of cloud designing and collaborating. We all know it and love it. I highly recommend a pro account if you plan to use Canva for the majority of your design because you can set up your brand and specific parameters, among other features. Right now, I'm loving the MagicExpand feature when I need more white space on a photo and the text animation.
@teamapconsulting
Most business advice on the internet makes me cringe, but I genuinely love Ashli's content and her resources are GOLD. I find her takes refreshing, honest, and on-point. If you value tangible business strategy, you'll love Team AP.
@ericareitman
Where to even start...we all need an Erica in our lives who will push us to the next level. She is truly one of a kind and helps other business owners embody that "one of one" energy too. If you want to truly begin to chart your own path, start by learning from Erica.
@commamama.co
McKayla is one of my favorite follows to learn more about SEO and blogging. She puts out great, easy-to-digest content and recently launched a podcast that I'm so excited to check out. If you're looking to generate more organic traffic, McKayla is your girl!
favorite follows
favorite follows
cowork approved
Sourcing
products
Faire
If you're looking for a great place to start your wholesale sourcing, Faire is a wonderful resource. I love Faire because you can easily connect with vendors from around the world and filter based on your specifications whether that be "Not found on amazon", "women owned", "US based", etc. Faire also makes it easy to keep track of orders, pay invoices, reorder and sync to your Shopify store (saving you hours of time importing products).
packaging
noissue
If you're looking for sustainable packaging with low minimums and great prices, I've been really with noissue. They make the buying process so efficient, a rarity when ordering print materials), while offering such a wide range of products for your whole business. Each of their products includes descriptions on sustainability and how its made so you can choose the right products for your store. For Cowork, I sourced water-activated tape, stickers, and postcards from noissue. The quality is incredible and their customer service so far is top-notch.
packaging
Papermart
If you're on the hunt for boxes or other packaging like tissue paper or ribbon, you'll almost certainly find what you need at Papermart. I was having the hardest time finding affordable post-FSC (aka recycled material) shipping boxes and biodegradable (and cute) tissue paper. Papermart not only had both, they carry an extensive assortment of box sizes and bundles come as low as 25, a huge win if you are a small store. Papermart also has many, many more products on their site and the buying experience, while a bit outdated, was easy.
packaging
EcoEnclose
File this under "rabbit holes that were incredibly long". Finding eco-friendly labels with low minimums feels nearly impossible. However, I found EcoEnclose, a wonderful company selling all manor of labels that are made in a sustainable way. I purchased shipping labels from them, but they had a number of great products for those interested in eco-friendly eCommerce labels. Check them out for all your label needs.
print on demand
Art of Where
I love seeing companies that not only share my values for sustainability and providing a healthy working environment, but also delivering a really exceptional product. Art of Where is based in Canada and is committed to paying their employees a fair wage, above minimum wage to start. They also print on demand, meaning less waste and they dropship, allowing you the option to not carry inventory. Art of Where integrates into your Shopify store and they have a very easy-to-use design tool to set up your products. Our Cowork Signature Scarves are manufactured by Art of Where and I couldn't be happier with the quality, customer service, or communication.
custom merch
BagMasters
BagMasters specializes in, you guessed it, custom bags. They have all sorts of bags for any need including some specialized designs that I particularly like. I've ordered from them personally and the customer service as well as delivery were all clear and accurate.
custom printing
FastPrinting
While I always recommend having a local printer, you may find limitations with their capabilities. For specialized and custom printing, I recommend FastPrinting. FastPrinting is custom start to finish, you'll be selecting color, paper weight, print color, and finishes. The quality is top-notch and so far, I've only had positive experiences. I highly recommend ordering their sample pack if you are new to custom printing or plan to order often. This allows you to see the papers and finishes as they will appear in real life rather than on a screen. You'll also get a better understanding of paper weights and feel more confident in your choices. FastPrinting offers a wide variety of products and can accomodate custom requests as well. You will need to submit a quote for each order you'd like to place, but their response time is quick and they will flag any issues with your designs before it heads to print.
Semi-custom printing
Moo
Moo is my go-to for fast, semi-custom printing. They are incredibly reliable for business cards, postcards, and stickers. I appreciate their reorder feature which saves time when you just need a restock. They also offer some level of customization with paper options and finishes, although this will be much more limited than a custom printer like FastPrinting. However, for everyday business materials, they are wonderful!
custom printing
QuikPrint Austin
One of the things I miss most about Austin is having access to my incredible local printer BUT they ship! When I tell you Quikprint can do almost anything, they really can. Die cuts, custom finishes like letterpress, custom sizes, a multitude of paper weights and so much more. They have an easy quote tool on their website and I can't say enough good things about their wonderful customer service.
cowork approved
Digital products
When it comes to digital products, these are the best of the best made by entrepreneurs who I respect and admire!
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
It's no secret that I am one of Reveal Studio's biggest fans. Kaili is unbelievably talented and only puts out the very best products. The Digital Seller's Copy Kit is no different. If you plan to launch digital products of any kind, I cannot recommend this enough. It walks you stage by stage through everything you need to successfully launch a digital product and includes the COPY TEMPLATES you need at every stage. That alone is worth it to me because her copy templates are gold. I particularly recommend this kit if launching a digital product feels intimidating. You'll have everything you need to take the stress off and focus on creating the best possible product.
get 10% off the kit!
The digital sellers copy kit
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
Don't have the time or money to hire a copywriter? This is literally the next best thing. Kaili has templates for virtually every aspect of your business. They are comprehensive and thorough not only giving you the HOW but also the WHY so you're learning sales psychology along the way. My favorite templates:
neuromarketing for beginners
must-haves copy kit
sales page template
testimonials that convert
reveal studio co. templates
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
I'll be frank, I don't love most of the website templates out there for one reason: they don't solve the core issue of most websites. Websites need strategy and they need compelling copy. A good design will only get you so far. That's why I'm especially excited to see website templates infused with sales psych come to the market. Built for Dreamers not only promises beautiful templates, but ones that will actually propel your business further because they are designed with strategy in mind.
get a website template
built for dreamers showit templates
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
You know I'm obsessed with ClickUp and earlier this year I connected with someone who is a genius when it comes to organizing your biz. Jillian is a ClickUp wiz and she's created some incredible ClickUp templates to help you get started with key sales and marketing data tracking. Use code "CALLIE10" for 10% off the templates below:
sales KPI tracker
lead tracker
marketing bundle
the intuitive obm clickup templates
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
Finding great mockups can be a challenge and moreso if you don't want to use what everyone on the internet is using. I have a few resources that I use for mockups, but Moyo is a favorite because of the wide variety of styles. You can easily find something to match your brand and style.
moyo mockups
I have a girl crush on RB Mockups. They are stunning, simple, and easy to use. If you do a lot of mockups for clients to show uses for logos, you'll love the wide variety of these mockups.
rebecca berrington mockups
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
Wanting to start a podcast? This course has all the guidance you need to start your own podcast. It's really tangible and tactical, zero fluff. I love Elizabeth's approachable teaching style. You can also listen to the course like a podcast with the Kajabi app so you can work through the course on a walk, cleaning up around the house, or at your desk.
learn more
podcast success blueprint course
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
Dub-Ins is a form builder that enhances your Dubsado forms using code, only you don't have to know a single line of code to use it. The magic is in its editor which allows you to visually build the form and then generates the code you need to input into Dubsado. I highly recommend this tool if you plan to use Dubsado for proposals.
learn more
Dub-ins code-free form creator
Digital sellers copy kit
reveal copywriting templates
showit templates
clickup templates
mockups
podcast course
dubsado form templates
legal templates
Regardless of where you're at in your business journey, you need to be legally protected, full stop. But that doesn't mean you have to go out and hire a lawyer for every little thing. The Boutique Lawyer offers templates for so many different business uses. I've personally used her templates for my policies, coaching terms, and digital product terms. The templates are easy to use and update via GoogleDocs and then you can transfer them into whatever system you use!
learn more
the boutique lawyer legal templates
Service
If you need a service for your business, these are the people I put my full weight behind. Choose the service you need to see my recommendations.
providers
Lifestyle Goods
A selection of lifestyle products that help me get things done and take care of my body.
women's health
Elix Healing
Healthy nails
Bare Hands Manicure
athleisure
Girlfriend Collective
fave teas
Piper & Leaf
tea time
Fellow Kettle
fave yoga mat
Alo Yoga Mat
fave yoga teacher
Puzzle Fit
wear all day tees
Pact Organic
headphones
Bose Over the Ear Headphones
on instagram & threads
@coworkwithcallie
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