The Tools I Actually Pay For (And Why They've Earned a Permanent Spot in My Business)
People ask me all the time what software I use to run BrandHive.
I wish I had some secret stack that nobody knew about.
I don't.
Most of the tools I use are probably sitting on your desktop already.
The difference isn't having more software. It's having tools that remove friction instead of adding it.
If a platform makes my team faster, keeps us organized, or gives me back time, it's worth paying for.
Here's what's earned a permanent spot in my business.
ChatGPT Pro
If you've followed me for a while, this one probably isn't a surprise.
I use ChatGPT every single day.
It's where I brainstorm content, map out marketing strategies, organize ideas, draft proposals, and think through business decisions. It doesn't replace my creativity—it gives me somewhere to build on it.
Think of it as my second brain.
Claude Max ($100 Plan)
People always ask if I use ChatGPT or Claude.
The answer is both.
They solve different problems.
When I'm working through long-form strategy, reviewing documents, or tackling more complex thinking, Claude has become one of my favorite tools. It's worth every dollar for the amount of time it saves me.
Notion Premium
If BrandHive had a headquarters, it would probably be Notion.
Every SOP.
Every content idea.
Every client resource.
Every meeting note.
Every content calendar
Our entire team HQ
Everything lives there.
I genuinely don't know how I operated before it.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook handles almost everything once someone decides to work with us.
Contracts.
Invoices.
Proposals.
Client onboarding.
Instead of piecing together five different platforms, everything happens in one place…which creates a much smoother experience for both us and our clients.
QuickBooks
This isn't the most exciting tool on the list.
It's probably one of the most important.
Knowing your numbers isn't optional if you're serious about growing a business.
QuickBooks makes that part a lot less intimidating.
Google Calendar
My calendar runs my life.
Every meeting.
Every content day.
Every event.
Every personal commitment.
If it isn't on my calendar, there's a very good chance I'm going to forget about it.
Google Tasks
I've tried all the fancy productivity apps.
I always come back to Google Tasks.
It's simple.
It works.
Sometimes that's all you need.
Google Meet
Almost every client strategy session happens here.
Nothing groundbreaking.
It's reliable, easy, and integrates with everything else I'm already using.
WidgetWall
This is probably the most underrated tool on my desktop.
It lets me customize my workspace with calendars, reminders, weather, and widgets that keep important information visible throughout the day.
It's one of those little things that makes working feel easier.
Canva Pro
I honestly can't imagine running a creative business without Canva anymore.
Brand presentations.
Social graphics.
Pitch decks.
PDFs.
Mockups.
It saves me hours every single week.
CapCut
When I need polished video content quickly, CapCut is usually where I start.
It's intuitive, fast, and makes editing feel a lot less overwhelming.
Edits
This has quickly become one of my favorite apps for creating short-form content.
Sometimes the best tool isn't the one with the most features.
It's the one that helps you publish consistently.
The biggest lesson?
The older my business gets, the less interested I am in trying every new app that launches.
I'd rather have a handful of tools I know inside and out than twenty subscriptions I barely use.
Every tool in my business has one job:
Help me save time, stay organized, or create a better experience for our clients.
If it doesn't do one of those three things, it probably doesn't stay.
Technology should make your business feel lighter…not more complicated.
I'm always curious what other founders are using. What's one tool you couldn't run your business without? I'd love to add a few new favorites to my list.