All my favorite things
IN LIFE & BUSINESS
People often ask which courses I’ve taken, which tools & software I use, and which microphone or camera I use to record course lessons or blog posts. I firmly believe in sharing details like that, so now instead of asking me you can check it all out for yourself!
* DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links are marked with an *Asterisk. Everything listed here I’ve bought, tried/applied in my own day-to-day #workfromhome life. If you purchase through those links I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you, but the point is always to share truly helpful things with you.
Cheapest/best ways to get an easy HD webcam*
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
Need a legit crystal clear HD webcam but don’t want to spend a fortune –and you already have an iPhone?
There are TWO really great options & one is FREE! No joke.
This software installs on your iPhone AND your computer allowing you to use your phone’s camera wirelessly or wired as a high-resolution webcam in all the main software you’re already using, including Zoom, Google Meet, Whereby, Descript, Facebook & YouTube streaming, etc. It’s actually WAY better quality than my C920X external webcam –and at least as good as my 2021 M1 Macbook Pro built-in FaceTime camera!
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Descript*: best video editing software
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
What if you could edit your video content the same way you edit your blog posts? 🤯 With Descript, you can LITERALLY do that!! And now with their new Storyboard features, it’s even easier and you also get a ton of new features with access to “B-Roll” (stock photos & videos, sound effects) & more!!
If you’re a content creator, you CANNOT skip over this seriously badass tool. Film your content, create & edit your transcript, export for YouTube, social media, blog posts, etc & finally create professional video content …without the pro. 😉
$$/mo
ThriveCart*: checkout software, courses & more
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
ThriveCart does a LOT of things WITHOUT the monthly subscription. For a one-time payment, you get checkout software for digital and physical products, upsell and funnel management, course hosting & management, and a way to build & manage your own affiliate program! Other tools like Kajabi charge more in one year than ThriveCart will cost for a lifetime of use!
$$$
How to ClickUp*, by Layla Pomper
⭐️ What We Think
How to ClickUp is an action-oriented Mini Course designed to help complete beginners manage daily productivity inside ClickUp...in less than one day!*
I’ve tried 8 or 10 project management apps since starting freelance work back in 2015 and to be perfectly honest they all have their individual pros & cons. Now, I needed high-level reporting and customizability that other apps like Asana and Notion weren’t able to give me, …so I landed on ClickUp (again). Because this project management tool has SO much packed into one app, it’s not that intuitive to learn. I binged a ton of ClickUp-focused YouTube videos, and then I found Layla, –a vetted ClickUp Consultant from ProcessDriven. I binged most of their YouTube channel & quickly decided I wanted to learn more from her, specifically. If she couldn’t do it FOR me, then I wanted to learn her methodologies –which is exactly what you get inside How to ClickUp! I’ve now built out detailed systems for my business inside ClickUp & I finally feel comfortable on the platform. So thankful for Layla & her relatable nerdiness! 😁
Sidenote, you also get access to this mini-course WITH the separate ProcessDriven Membership & they work really well together!
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The Middle Finger Project*
⭐️ What We Think
Stuck on copywriting for your business along with some legit laugh-out-loud, real-AF inspiration? Ash provides inspiration, motivation, and personality in spades. I literally couldn’t put this one down, …and may/may not (definitely do) have multiple copies of this book. 😂
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Termageddon*: favorite Privacy Policy & Cookies widget
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
“The most comprehensive website policies generator on the market.” You can “use Termageddon to help comply with privacy laws such as the CCPA, GDPR, UK DPA, CalOPPA, PIPEDA, and more.” They “also help you comply with consumer protection laws, provide eCommerce disclosures, and limit your liability.”
Their web app literally walks you through every facet of the setup & if you have any questions at all, Hans (co-founder) or his team are always happy to help.
To get 10% off your first year, use my affiliate code LAUNCH10 or click the link below to get started!
$$/yr
ClickUp*: my project management app
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
I desperately needed to be able to see the overall progress of anything easily and ClickUp handles this WAY better. I can see progress bars or completed task counts for any list, folder, space, or set of tasks, even if they’re not in the same grouping, which makes it much easier (& more accurate) to monitor client progress in their homework without missing important details or questions they have along the way.
I can also keep so much more ClickUp now, including better support ticketing with a ClickUp form embedded on my website for clients to fill out, and of course, my own business task management where automations & recurring tasks play a very important role.
Notifications are also much easier to control as there are a LOT more options to customize so I see what I want and not what I don’t.
$$/yr
Booked Out Designer*, by Elizabeth McCravy
⭐️ What We Think
Elizabeth McCravy is a successful Showit web designer with a website template shop and an awesome podcast who pours her heart & soul into this course. BUT it’s not platform-specific and it doesn’t teach web design at all; in fact, it doesn’t teach design at all. This course is all about the processes of running an online business and learning how to book out your client calendar. The student community is invaluable, the coaching with both Elizabeth & Becky is a fantastic combination of how-to + mindset, and the course material helped my business scale –reaching my first $10k month. Worth every penny and enrollment is always open!
$,$$$ (payment plan available)
(Lean) Instant Pot Cookbooks*
⭐️ WHAT WE THINK
My favorite cookbooks for my Instant Pot also happen to be leaner recipes, –but don’t let that fool you because Brittany’s (author) recipes are sooo good! My ‘foodie’ of a husband even approves. 😉😂
I have all 3 of her cookbooks & loved them so much, I ended up buying one of each for family members & also gifted 6qt Instant Pot to them both too ––I wasn’t kidding when I said I loooove my Instant Pot!)
I don’t abide by her ingredients lists 100%; her family has special nutrition needs, so I’m able to sub out any unusual ingredients as needed and they still turn out lean & absolutely delicious!
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Ember Smart 14oz Coffee Mug*
⭐️ What We Think
Sick of making 50 trips to the microwave to nuke your cuppa joe because you got too focused on work & let it get cold? Never again. Keep it on the coaster & it’ll legit be hot ALL DAY long. Or off the coaster for up to 80/90 minutes. #luxurycoffeesplurge
$$$
Standout Squarespace*, by Rache of SquareStylist
⭐️ What We Think
If you’ve taken other Squarespace courses and feel pretty comfortable on the platform BUT you want to dive deeper, learning how to write your own custom code solutions for even more creative designs that are still client-friendly, –you’re ready for Standout Squarespace by Rache of SquareStylist. It’s one of the most comprehensive courses I’ve ever taken so it’s a big time commitment (it will take a few months to get through it all, or at least a month if you take time off to do the course full-time), ––but it’s worth every penny. Rache is an amazing teacher with such a creative mind!
$,$$$ (payment plan available)
Square Secrets Business™️, by Paige Brunton
⭐️ What We Think
Once you’ve mastered Square Secrets it’s often a natural path for you to wonder, “I loved designing my website… how can I make a living doing this?” And that’s exactly what led me to jump into this course too. Paige continues to share business secrets related to how to run a business around designing websites for clients on Squarespace, sharing how to get your first clients, and more. It’s the perfect follow-up to Square Secrets™️! Enrollment is only open a couple times a year, last I checked.
$,$$$ (payment plan available)
Square Secrets™️, by Paige Brunton
⭐️ What We Think
**NOW ALSO COVERS FLUID ENGINE!
If you need a website, can’t afford to hire a designer, and want to try your hand at DIY –this is the perfect course to get you up & running! Paige gives you all the “secrets” she used in her own web design business to design creative websites for her clients WITHOUT any code! The course is packed full of tips & tricks, design basics, some sales strategy, a great FB community & monthly coaching calls. This course was the catalyst for me on my own website design journey! Even with a background in graphic & print design, this course helped me learn the Squarespace platform and redo my own amateur website with confidence ––and it can help you do the same! Enrollment is only open a couple times a year, last I checked.
$,$$$ (payment plan available)
Copywriting for Creatives*, by Ashlyn Carter
⭐️ What We Think
Writing the copy (text) for your business happens literally everywhere: social media captions, emails sent to your clients AND your subscribers, sales pages on your website, –and more. You write copy for your website all the time, –and if you were to hire a professional copywriter to write ALL of your copy for all things, this would be an outrageous business expense. When I realized this myself, –I turned to Ashlyn in CfC. This course has helped my business relate to thousands each month, and bring in awesome clients that relate to me & my words. Ashlyn is a copywriting guru!
$,$$$ (payment plan available)
ProcessDriven Membership*, by Layla Pomper
⭐️ What We Think
ProcessDriven Membership is the most comprehensive resource for ClickUp admins to turn operational chaos into a proven, repeatable, process.*
I’ve tried 8 or 10 project management apps since starting freelance work back in 2015 and to be perfectly honest they all have their individual pros & cons. Now, I needed high-level reporting and customizability that other apps like Asana and Notion weren’t giving me, …so I landed on ClickUp (again) but it’s not that intuitive to pick up because it has SO many features.
Then I found Layla of Process Driven, –a vetted ClickUp Consultant; I binged most of their YouTube channel & promptly decided to join the membership. It’s been an absolute GAME-CHANGER for learning how to build out & use ClickUp to get the most out of it. I’ve now built out a detailed system for my client portals, organize business admin tasks, plan course & blog content, and support ticketing in just a few months & I finally feel comfortable on the platform. So thankful for Layla & her relatable nerdiness! 😁
$$$
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1*
⭐️ What We Think
My favorite way to slowly go deaf while I work. Skeptical at first, –these speakers put out an ASTONISHING sound and the sub kicks out some serious bass. For the money, you really can’t beat this setup. #thankmelater
$$$
Building A Storybrand*
⭐️ What We Think
If you’re new to copywriting, Donald’s approach to learning how & what to write for your business is so incredibly helpful. Game-changing even. If you can’t afford a copywriting course quite yet, this will help you get started.
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AirPods Pro*
⭐️ What We Think
Killer sound & full immersion with the noise-canceling feature (which can be turned on OR off!), and decent battery life. With noise cancellation on, I can nearly drown out my husband’s band practice if I need to focus on work while he plays. With it off, I can hear everything around me, on top of the audio I’m playing. These are my FAVORITE earphones!
$$$
L'ange Le Duo Grande curler
⭐️ What We Think
I have thick hair; a lot of fine strands that want to be wavy but would never hold a curl for more than a few hours. UNTIL this. The air holes set the hair as it curls so it literally lasts until the next wash day. Second-day hair never looked so good! Comes in 2 sizes.
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