Everyone has distinct likes and dislikes, and our brains all work in different ways. But as business owners, we’re all looking for the tools and systems that will allow us to run our businesses in the best way possible.

I just hit my 6th year in business, and I have spent so much time over those years trying to figure out what tools and systems were right for me. I wanted to get organized, have tools that work for the way I individually think and like to see information, and have a system that would allow me to scale my business. It’s only been in the past little while that I’ve finally gotten down to a method that really works for me, my team, my clients, and my partner in my other business, Creative Boss Method. Since business owners are often curious about tools others are using and whether or not they might be a good fit for them, here I’m going over my four favorite business tools and how I use them in my now successful system.

Many businesses are pivoting right now due to COVID-19. With so much uncertainty in the economy here in the US and around the world, businesses are having to shift into what’s going to work in the current circumstances with what they can control. And I’m right there with all of the small business owners figuring out how to work at home on lockdown with my kids while the schools are closed. I’ve had to make some quick adjustments, and I wanted to share the things I’m specifically focused on in the hope that they might help you, too.

Instagram is my favorite way to connect with other business owners, creators, and moms.

It’s also the hottest social media platform out there at the moment.

So if you want to up your Instagram game, I’ve got 3 underused ways you can take your photos and turn them into something great for your account.

Yikes, friends! The competition is fierce!

Gone are the days of being able to set up a so-so website for online presence and run around handing out business cards.

When you hand out a business card now, you can bet a week’s income that the recipient is going to turn around and look you up online for credibility about what you say. And the state of your website will either attract them or deflect them from hiring you, buying your product, etc. This is where the investment in good photography can make a huge impact on whether your visual game is on point and whether you’ve given your brand the visual credibility it deserves.

I’ve been in business for 6 years!

In those 6 years, I’ve been on cloud nine, ready to throw in the towel, and everywhere in between.

I’m about to get super real here with my reflections and 20/20 hindsight, but I have to own that I’m grateful for all of the business experiences I’ve had because they’ve shaped where I’m at today. And my hope is that by sharing these thoughts, you might get some encouragement and clarity around things going on in your business.

Service-based businesses need photos, too. While they may not have any physical products to sell, service providers like designers, marketers, and branders, still use images for their websites, social media, and blogs. Good stock photography can give you the opportunity to stretch your image material for longer amounts of time, spend less than you would on additional custom brand images, and still have eye-catching photos to display online. And I’ve got an easy, pennies-on-the-dollar way to get beautiful stock photography, including some shot by yours truly.