4 Business Tools for Entrepreneurial Therapists
In 2018, I quit my counseling job at a non-profit and dived into full-time entrepreneurship. It was the riskiest decision of my life and it’s paid off well. However, there are a few things I wish I would’ve prioritized beyond informed consent forms.
So here are the 4 business tools that are worth the investment!
1. Quickbooks
Are you terrified of Uncle Sam? Me too. That’s why I manage my business finances with Quickbooks. It helps me organize expenses and easily prepare for quarterly taxes. They have different levels of service that start as low as $15/month.
Whether you use Quickbooks or another software like Wave, make sure you’re on top of your finances. Neglecting them can result in major penalties and financial losses later. Avoid the headache by maintaining your records in a solid accounting system.
Major 🔑: Have a separate bank account for your business/entrepreneurial pursuits. Don’t commingle funds, hun.
2. Dubsado
Dubsado is hands-down my favorite business tool. It’s placed 2nd on this list because accounting is of the utmost importance. If your money isn’t in order, entrepreneurship will come tumbling down. BUT Dubsado still has my heart.
WHY? Because it allows me to easily automate invoices, contracts, payment reminders, set up meetings and zoom calls. It’s so easy! Dubsado shows you how to set up a solid system for clients to have a streamlined experience from their first discovery call to service completion.
Dubsado has its competitors. I tried a few (even the cheaper alternatives) but I always made my way back to Dubsado. A great way to learn if they’re right for you is to start with their free trial offer.
Use code: THERAPIST for 20% off your first month or year of Dubsado.
3. Contracts, Contracts, Contracts
Are you providing a service? Are you selling a product? If so, you need contracts, terms and conditions, all that jazz. You need to make sure you’re legally protected.
Early in entrepreneurship, I attempted to google and piece together contracts from results I found online. It didn’t work out well. haha. I highly encourage you meet with a lawyer at least once and connect with a lawyer who sells contract templates.
In 2020, I invested in a contract bundle from Coaches & Co. The founder is a lawyer who specializes in contract work for coaches and consultants. I highly recommend her work. The contracts came in handy when someone tried to steal my work (and when a company was late completing their invoice).
4. Gusto
If you’re in the early stages of solo entrepreneurship, you may not be ready to hire contractors or employees yet. However, I encourage you to be aware that Gusto is a great resource when you’re ready to hire. It supports HR, payroll, and benefits.
With Gusto, your contractors and employees can easily receive direct deposit.
Cherry on top: Gusto files 1099s and W-2s at the end of each year. Such a blessing!
Use my affiliate link to get a $100 gift card after you run your first paid payroll.
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurship journey, be sure to find that right resources to support your business. Cutting corners to save a dollar seems like a smart decision in the beginning. Sadly, those decisions can come back to haunt you later. Find the tools you need and expand over time.
