“If you don’t build systems, your business will build chaos.” That lesson hit me hard in my second year as a business owner.
I was juggling client calls, invoices, emails, marketing, content creation—basically everything. I was the CEO, the customer service rep, the bookkeeper, and the marketing team all rolled into one stressed-out human. Sound familiar?
That’s when I discovered the game-changer: business automation.
And no, it wasn’t about turning into a robot or losing the personal touch. It was about reclaiming my time, energy, and sanity—so I could focus on growth, creativity, and serving my audience better.
Let me walk you through the 10 tools that helped me automate my business without losing my soul. Each of them I’ve personally tested, and many of them I still use daily. Plus, I’ll link you to some affiliate tools that I absolutely love and recommend!
1. Zapier – Connect Everything Without Coding
Zapier is the first automation tool I fell in love with.
It basically acts like the glue between apps—automating tasks like adding new customers to your email list, sending Slack alerts when you get paid, or saving attachments from Gmail to Google Drive.
Business automation use case: When someone signs up for my freebie, Zapier automatically tags them in ConvertKit, adds them to Notion, and sends me a heads-up via Slack.
Why it matters: It eliminated 15+ manual steps per day for me. Business automation in its purest form.
2. Systeme.io – All-in-One Sales Funnel & Email Automation
When I first heard about Systeme.io, I was skeptical. But then I tried it—and wow.
It’s like having ClickFunnels, ConvertKit, and Teachable in one dashboard… for a fraction of the cost.
I built a sales funnel, connected an email sequence, and even launched a course—all inside Systeme.
Why I love it: No need for a million subscriptions. I manage entire product launches from one platform.
3. ClickFunnels – The OG Funnel Builder
Yes, it’s still relevant. Yes, it’s pricey. But if you want serious firepower behind your sales pages, ClickFunnels is worth the investment.
Why it works: Beautiful templates, easy integrations, and proven conversion strategies baked in.
Pro tip: I use it for high-ticket offers or evergreen webinars that need advanced business automation.
4. Calendly – Automate Scheduling (And Save Your Sanity)
The back-and-forth of “What time works for you?” used to eat up hours. Then I met Calendly.
Now, people book calls based on my availability, get automated reminders, and even receive follow-up surveys.
Business automation win: My calendar stays clean. My clients stay informed. I stay sane.
5. Notion – Automate Internal Systems and Teamwork
I’m obsessed with Notion. I use it for content planning, SOPs, project management, client dashboards—you name it.
Even better? With Notion’s new AI and automation capabilities, I can trigger actions based on project status or due dates.
How I use it: My assistant updates a task in Notion, and it pings me in Slack. Pure magic.
6. Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) – Email Marketing That Feels Human
I switched to Kit after getting tired of clunky email platforms. This one just gets creators.
Why I love it: Automation is simple but powerful. You can tag people based on actions, set up nurturing sequences, and track conversions.
Business automation in action: Someone downloads my lead magnet? They get a 5-email sequence—completely hands-free.
7. ThriveCart – Automated Checkout and Upsells
ThriveCart handles my digital product sales like a boss.
One-time payments, subscriptions, bump offers, upsells—it automates the entire checkout flow and integrates with Stripe, PayPal, email tools, and more.
Result: My revenue increased without lifting a finger.
8. Loom – Record Once, Teach Forever
Instead of repeating the same walkthroughs for clients or team members, I record a Loom video.
It saves me so much time. It also creates a personal touch while scaling support.
Bonus: I’ve started embedding Loom tutorials into my courses and SOPs.
9. Stripe – Automate Payments and Invoicing
Stripe has been my go-to for client payments. It’s fast, secure, and integrates with almost everything.
Automation tip: Pair it with Zapier or ThriveCart to send invoices, trigger onboarding emails, or even update CRM tools.
10. ChatGPT – Content & Workflow Automation
Yep. I use AI, too. ChatGPT helps me brainstorm blog titles, outline emails, draft copy, and even summarize client reports.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a massive time-saver—and it keeps my creative juices flowing.
Workflow example: I input a content idea → get outline suggestions → turn it into a full post using my voice.
Want to automate your content too? Try ChatGPT here.
Final Thoughts: Automation Is Your Business Partner
I’m not here to tell you to “do less.” I’m here to tell you to do better.
Automating your business doesn’t mean losing control. It means building a smoother, scalable, more professional system—so you can grow without burnout.
Start with one tool. Get comfortable. Then layer in more as your business grows.
You don’t need to hustle harder. You need to automate smarter.
👉 Start your automation journey today with one of the tools above. Your future self will thank you.
If you want my full automation tech stack + workflow templates, subscribe to the newsletter. Let’s build better businesses—together.
This post includes affiliate links to tools I personally use and recommend. If you sign up through my links, I may earn a commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
