Entrepreneurship humbled me. When I first started, I wanted to do everything myself. I worked with multiple calendars, spreadsheets, pens, pencils, and A LOT of coffee and frustration. It did not take me long to realize that there were tech tools at my fingertips that could simplify my work life.
I think the challenge is finding the tech tools that work best for each person. Every person has their own unique styles and preferences, and it often takes trial and error to find the right ones.
After a few years in business, I have narrowed down my favorite tech tools that I use daily in my business and as the editor at AMSE.
Asana: I cannot tell you how many checklists and notepads I would drag around, trying to keep track of every task and deadline. Asana simplifies this in a user-friendly format. As a team member, I can stay on top of what is assigned to me and get the satisfaction of checking off items on my task list. It is great for managing small and large projects with multiple elements and team members, as you can tag others in comments and tasks. My favorite part of Asana is the ability to toggle between views; from list-style to boards to calendar view, you can view your progress, your way. Learn more about Asana here.
Trello: similar to Asana, Trello offers you a way to track tasks and projects from start to finish. Utilize multiple boards to track progress on various projects. Use the cards to keep information on leads, clients, and employees organized in one place. My partner at The Military Mom Collective uses Trello for our big projects with multiple partners and moving parts, as it allows us to track each partner from proposal to project completion. Find out more about Trello here.
Dubsado: truthfully, I do not use Dubsado to its full potential! I began using it as a simple way to send contracts, agreements, and proposals that look beautiful and professional. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Dubsado is perfect for client management from onboarding to offboarding. Create workflows that can be automated, and never lose a document again. Plus, AMSE members get 15% off their monthly or yearly subscription! Find the discount in your Member Dashboard, and learn more about how Dubsado can help you today.
Quickbooks: did anyone else struggle with math in high school or college? I cannot be the only one. When I started my business, I was low on funds and needed a way to keep track of our finances. Quickbooks is the go-to application for bookkeeping and finances. There are multiple subscription options and features, depending on your personal needs and budget. I like the ability to send invoices and receive payments directly through the application (for a minimal fee) and the plethora of reports available. It also integrates with many tools and applications and allows you to designate an accountant to assist you.
Quickbooks does take some time and training, and you want to ensure that your account is set up properly. I recommend finding someone to assist you initially. I used Joana Linares at Enumerista LLC; she offers a Quickbooks training program that really educated me on how to properly chart and track our finances. Find her here or in an AMSE Group Coaching or Virtual Coworking session - she’s an AMSE member and Group Coach!
Canva: a graphic designer I am not. Not even close. Canva takes a lot of the guesswork out of design to allow you to create beautiful, branded images, presentations, social media posts, and more. While many people use Canva and it may seem that you will find repeated images or designs, this tool allows you to customize yours to make them your own! Sign up for free or upgrade to a Pro plan for a low price. This unlocks all stock images and allows you to add your brand colors, styles, and logos for efficiency.
As a military spouse entrepreneur, you might be filling many roles in your business. Take my advice and find a few tech tools to help you streamline, simplify, and automate your business tasks.
Hopefully, this will help you grow your business...in which case, you can hire others to help with these same tasks!
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Rachel is the co-owner and editor of The Military Mom Collective. She has been an Air Force spouse for 18 years and is a mother of four children. She holds a BA in English and a MA in Management. When not busy with work or her family, she enjoys reading as many books as possible and drinking all the coffee.
Rachel is also the Editor at AMSE and a freelance writer. She has been featured on We Are The Mighty, Her View From Home, AMSE, The Beautifull Project, Hand-in-Hand QC, and other publications. She has been blogging for herself and other organizations for over 10 years. She is always trying to stay on top of SEO practices and loves using the power of experiences and storytelling to empower businesses and individuals.
