HELPFUL BUSINESS RESOURCES

The Trusted Tech Stack

"I'm always testing new platforms and experimenting with integrations to get work done more efficiently and effectively. I hope my passion for system design can save you some time and headaches by looking into my fully-vetted options first."
~ Brian Royce

1Password

1Password allows easy sharing of passwords and confidential information across your team.

Act! CRM

ACT is a robust CRM I’ve used for almost 20 years. I can help you customize and implement ACT!

Counterpoint SQL

Counterpoint is one of the best, most powerful POS & Inventory Management systems on the market.

Data Studio

Google Data Studio makes it easy to visualize raw data. Plus, it’s 100% free and you don’t need a Gmail account.

Elementor Pro

Elementor Pro is the easiest to use and most powerful no-code WordPress website builder.

Genius Scan +

Genius Scan + works on IOS and Android. OCR and cloud integration makes it a great tool for remote teams.

IDrive

I have trusted IDrive as my go-to tool for workstation and server backups for over 10 years and NEVER lost a file.

Lucidchart

When it’s time to pull up a tool for advanced diagrams, Lucid Chart wins my vote. Adios, Visio.

Make

Formerly Integromat, Make is my first choice for workflow automation. Let’s make some magic happen together!

Malware Bytes

Malwarebytes is my choice for cyber protection and they added a VPN recently which is great for remote teams.

Microsoft 365

There’s no ignoring the power of some of the Microsoft tools in the newest version of their productivity suite.

Miro

My favorite tool for Digital Meeting Whiteboards, Flow Charts, Mind Mapping, Brainstorming and more.

Movavi

Movavi Screen Recorder and Movavi Video Editor Plus are my go-to’s for easy screen recording and video editing.

Notion

Notion has earned my vote for Project Management, Knowledge Management and Workspace Design.

OBS

OBS is a free, open source software with powerful features for video recording and live streaming.

Quickbooks

QB is my pick due to its scalability, advanced functionality, desktop version and time in market.

Workspace

Google Workspace is easy to learn/implement and generally integrates better with modern SaaS platforms.

Next ?

Who will earn the next ‘coveted’ spot, LOL? It takes a while before it tends to happen. Stay tuned!

“Everything you need to know about anything is already documented in a book somewhere!”
~Elon Musk

BOOKS WORTH READING

These are my top-recommended books because they’ve led to implementation of at least one takeaway that yielded high-impact results. If you’re looking to improve an area of your business, these are some good reads!

All Favorites

Not a fan of reading? Don’t have the time? Try Blinkist for recaps of key takeaways and actionable items!

ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS

Did you know that some of the world’s top universities offer certain classes and lecture material online 100% free of charge? Additionally, companies and industry professionals are pushing out their own classes and certification programs you can take advantage of. Take a peek.

Coursera has a mix of the globe’s top universities as well as courseware from thought-leading companies like Google and IBM. They also offer certifications and full degrees from top universities for a fraction of the cost.

edX offers free courses from top schools all over the world. There’s a certificate option you can purchase to bolster your resume and show employers you know your stuff. MBA’s and mini degrees are also available.

Udemy is a platform for professionals, by professionals. If you’re looking to pick up specific skills in a variety of categories, this is an inexpensive way to do it. You tend to get more real-world experience on this platform.

FEDERAL RESOURCES

You’ll cross paths with at least one of these three Federal agencies over the life of your business. Fortunately, these agencies provide quite a lot of helpful information. I’ve handpicked a few of the less-known links from each.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The SBA became a household name since “The Pandemic” because PPP and EIDL money touched most SMB balance sheets. But there are other less-known services the SBA provides.

US PATENT & TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

I recommend consulting with an attorney for patent and trademark advice, but there are quite a few resources for the DIY’er to navigate through some of these muddy waters!

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)

We all have to deal with Uncle Sam at least once a year. Fortunately, he’s been working on his website over the last couple years and added quite a bit of helpful resources and info.