Tools I actually use.

Astro

Free

The framework this website is built on. Lightning fast, ships zero JavaScript by default, and brilliant for content-driven sites. If you want speed, this is it.

Brain.fm

Paid

Music designed to help you focus. Not a playlist - actual science-backed audio that gets you into deep work mode. I stick it on when I need to get my head down and get stuff done.

Canva

Freemium

Quick graphics without needing a designer. Social posts, presentations, thumbnails - it handles the lot. The templates alone are worth it.

ChatGPT

Freemium

The one that started it all. I use it for brainstorming, research, and quick tasks. Between this and Claude, most of my AI bases are covered.

Claude Code

Freemium

My go-to AI tool for coding, writing, and thinking things through. It built most of this website. Genuinely impressive and getting better all the time.

Cloudflare

Freemium

Where this site is hosted. Fast, reliable, and the free tier is ridiculously generous. Handles DNS, SSL, and CDN without breaking a sweat.

Ecamm

Paid

The best live streaming and video production tool for Mac. I use it for webinars, live content, and recording video. Simple to use but properly powerful.

Facebook

Free

Still a solid platform for reaching local and service-based businesses. I use it for ads, groups, and staying visible where my audience hangs out.

Fathom Analytics

Paid

Simple, privacy-first analytics. No cookie banners needed, no complex dashboards to wade through. Just the numbers that actually matter, presented clearly.

Genspark

Free

AI-powered search that actually gives you useful answers. I use it when I want properly researched responses rather than a list of links to wade through.

GitHub

Free

Where all the code lives. Version control, collaboration, and a safety net for when things go wrong. If you're building anything, you need this.

Google Workspace

Paid

Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar - the basics done well. It runs the day-to-day. Nothing flashy, but everything works and plays nicely together.

GTmetrix

Freemium

Tests how fast your website loads and tells you exactly what to fix. I use it to make sure every site I work on is properly quick. Speed matters more than most people think.

Hubdoc

Paid

Pulls in bills and receipts automatically and sends them straight to Xero. No more chasing paperwork or losing invoices. Connects to Xero seamlessly.

LastPass

Freemium

Password manager that remembers everything so I don't have to. One master password, and every login is sorted. If you're still reusing passwords, get this today.

LinkedIn

Free

My main social platform for connecting with business owners. If you want to find me posting about marketing, this is where it happens.

Loom

Freemium

Perfect for quick videos. Client walkthroughs, feedback, internal updates - hit record, talk, send. No editing needed. Saves so much back and forth over email.

Notion

Freemium

My second brain for business. SOPs, project plans, client work, content calendars - it all lives in Notion. Flexible enough to work however you think.

Obsidian

Free

Where I do my thinking. Notes, ideas, connections between topics - it's like a personal wiki that actually makes you smarter over time. Markdown-based and works offline.

Skool

Paid

Where The Marketing Portal community lives. Simple, clean, and focused on what matters - courses, discussions, and actually helping people. No distractions.

Tella

Freemium

My go-to for bigger video projects. Polished editing tools, nice transitions, and the finished product looks professional without needing a production team.

TextExpander

Paid

Type a few letters, get a whole paragraph. Saves me hours on repetitive typing - email replies, common explanations, links I share all the time. One of those tools you wonder how you lived without.

The Portal OS

Paid

Our own CRM and email marketing platform. Built on GoHighLevel, it handles contacts, automations, email sequences, forms, and booking - all in one place.

Todoist

Freemium

Simple task management that just works. I've tried them all and keep coming back to this one. Quick to add tasks, easy to organise, and it stays out of your way.

Xero

Paid

Cloud accounting that makes invoicing, expenses, and bank reconciliation painless. My accountant loves it too, which makes both our lives easier.