Resources

Below are the tools, applications, and websites that I recommend for creating an epic coaching / service provider business.

Many of these are the foundation of my business today, plus I've included some "fun" resources that I use in daily life and think you might enjoy too!

You’ll notice that some of these are affiliate links, which don’t cost you any extra, but help support me. Thank you so much! (More info here)

Stock Photography

GENERAL STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES:
Click the button for a demo video of stock photos with authentic images of women - not just smiling with salads! (some affiliate links below)

Canva (free & paid) (affiliate)

Creative Market (free & paid) (affiliate)

Pexels (free)

Picnoi (free)

Unsplash (free)

DIVERSITY, BIPOC, & AUTHENTIC RESOURCES:
The options above have diverse images too, but the below are more specific. (some affiliate links below)

Click the button for a demo video of some of these sites.

Create Her Stock (paid)

Flickr - Women of Color in Tech (free)

Getty Images - Lean In (paid)

Haute Stock (paid) (affiliate - I’m currently a member)

She Bold (paid)

Nappy (free)

Picnoi (free)

Tonl (paid)

Website & Sales Page Builders

LEADPAGES

LeadPages is my favorite sales page builder because you can make so many different sales pages in a single account, customize them with ease, and even add timers for more complex needs (no extra timer subscription service required). Plus no matter where you move your website, all your landing and sales pages are safe and sound in your LeadPages account.

You can even make entire websites here! Demo videos coming on that :-)

I create sales pages exclusively on LeadPages now for clients so that I can better serve people no matter what website platform they use. You can be on Kajabi, Squarespace, WordPress, or something else, and still get a sales page from yours truly. It will just be created and housed on LeadPages instead of your website platform.

Try it free for 14 days with the affiliate link below!

SQUARESPACE

When I first began my entrepreneurial life, I tried to use WordPress because it’s the industry standard and it seemed like everyone was using that platform. But I HATED it! I struggled so much with the tech updates, security, trying to make it look good, etc., that my actual content got ignored. Instead of making new blog posts, I was futzing around with the backend of WP. Then I discovered Squarespace and never looked back.

You can learn more about my experience in my guest episode on The Spark Hustle Flow Podcast :-)

Squarespace isn’t exactly “intuitive” — you’ll want to watch a tutorial or two to get started — but once you’re in it’s SO EASY. You can wave ‘bye-bye’ to all your tech and security woes and focus on content, which is where you should be spending your time!

Email Providers

CONVERTKIT

In my opinion ConvertKit is the only email service provider out there that's worth having. Their tagging is amazing and now you can make your email sequences with a cool visual builder tool (which makes my designer heart sing). Yes, there's a ramp-up. And it's not free, but it's worth every penny. Great support too! (affiliate link below)

Design

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP (CREATIVE CLOUD)

This is a huge one for me as a designer and I use it EVERY day. Life would be so much duller without PS in my life! People think it's expensive but really it's not. You can get the Adobe Photography Plan which includes both Photoshop, and Lightroom, for only $10/mo (US). That's what I used for years! There's even a free trial, so you can't lose :D (affiliate link below)

CANVA

Not into Photoshop? I get it! Then Canva is likely for you! You can use the free tier to create a ton of beautiful graphics at no cost, and can supplement those with premium photos and icons by paying ala carte. If you upgrade to the Canva PRO plan, you can

  • get all the premium stuff (like photos! And cool graphics!) included at no extra cost

  • save files with transparent backgrounds (png) which is handy for last minute logos. The free plan only lets you save “flat” (jpg) images

  • upload custom fonts to your account - whoa!

  • keep all your logos and brand colors neatly tucked into your account for quick usage on all designs, and more!

(affiliate link below)

Video / Audio Editing

DESCRIPT

Descript is this awesome new way to edit your audio and video. I used to use Camtasia, but lately I just use Descript (it even does transcription, real-time, while you’re talking). The company describes it as “An all-in one audio/video editor, as easy as a doc!”

You don’t have to mess around with audio or video timelines, you literally edit by deleting the text in the transcript. You can even auto-remove “ums”. And the coolest part? They have this magical thing called “Overdub” that’s ultra-realistic voice cloning. Like, it records your voice, and then you can edit a word you said in your audio to another word that YOU DIDN’T SAY, and it makes it SOUND LIKE YOU DID! (all caps required for this level of sorcery lol). That overdub function is on the higher paid plan, but all the other goodness is in the cheaper level.

I’m using Descript to record a new Podcast I’m creating! Can’t wait to share that with you :-) (affiliate links below)

My Favorite Graphics & Font Resources

CREATIVE MARKET

I’ve been a customer of Creative Market (affiliate) for going on 15 years, and I also sell my own products there in my Sarah Design Creative Market Shop! (affiliate) I started the shop when I was selling mockup files for drinkware sellers, and am branching out to sell all kinds of entrepreneurial resources there as well.

One reason I love to shop on CM over other graphic design marketplaces is that every purchase I make is saved into my “purchases” area so I can go download them anytime. This means I don’t have to store all my thousands of fonts and graphics on my computer - maybe you can relate? ;-) (affiliate links below)

NICKY LAATZ (FONT DESIGNER)

I discovered Nicky Laatz on Creative Market and couldn’t stop binging on her fonts! Some of my favorites are, Blooming Elegant (affiliate) which is a font "trio" so you get 3 fonts at once that all look amazing together. I'm also drooling over her Handlettered Font Box (affiliate), because it is packed with even more stuff like 24 individual fonts, 180 vector illustrations, and 12 pre-made logo templates. It would be a travesty not to own this :D The Bloomishly (affiliate) font looks pretty dreamy too...I may have to snatch that up as well! (affiliate links below - and above!)

Course Platforms

TEACHABLE

Teachable is perfect for you if you want the payment gateway to be built into your course platform (and/or you need VAT support), and would like a built-in email option (also has many email integration options). Customer support is decent, though not as personable as Member Vault, below. I used Teachable for years before deciding to no longer host courses online.

The interface is slick and easy to use, and you can even build out your landing page right inside your school (though I can teach how to make a better one on Squarespace).

Teachable is basically the industry standard in LMSs (Learning Management Systems) boasting customers like Melyssa Griffin, Mariah Coz, and Pat Flynn, so you’re in good company if you sign on with them. (affiliate link below)

MEMBER VAULT

Member Vault is perfect for you if you want to set up your own payment gateway, and don’t need a built-in email tool. Member Vault uses a unique “binge and buy” strategy to get you sales. It’s a small family-owned business with a VERY engaged and supportive Facebook group.

You can speak to the owners directly in the group and they are constantly innovating and updating to better the platform for their customers (and their customer’s customers :D) You’ll find some successful up-and-comers in here too like Katie Momo, Lindsay Padilla, and Elise Darma.

I have an account with MV but have never set up shop there because it hasn’t been the right timing for me, and when I was shopping for course hosting platforms they didn’t have the functionality or ux that I wanted at that time. However, they’re such a great company that I regularly hang out in their Facebook group and keep an eye on updates to their service.

Many of my trusted friends and mentors use this service, and I know Mike (one of the owners), personally. He’s a real stand-up guy! So that’s why I still highly recommend them. (affiliate link below)

Learning Resources

SKILLSHARE

Skillshare is an online learning community where you can explore thousands of classes in design, photography, business, and more. New customers can get started with a free trial to get unlimited access to the entire catalog with a Premium Membership. I’ve taken LOADS of classes there and am loving it! (affiliate links below)

Personal Faves:

  • Adi Singh: Make a Professional Skillshare Class (affiliate)

Get 14 days FREE of Skillshare Premium with the affiliate link below

Want me to make any trainings on these resources? Drop me a line on IG messenger with your request!