Tech & tools to build an Empire.

Cut through the confusion and steal the list of tech platforms, tools, books, and other resources that we recommend for your biz building journey ⚒️

Prices are approximate, accurate on the day of research, subject to change, and may vary by location. Please do your own research to find the best tech stack for you.

If I've been able to generate any affiliate links that give you a better deal, a free / longer trial, or some sort of positive kick back for you, I've have done so!

"Hey Rosie, what does Badass recommend for..."

Core Biz Tech / Funnel

Content Production

Workflow & Productivity Tools

Reading / Books

Advanced Options (Scaler + Beyond)

Core Biz Tech 🛠️

Level 1: Side Hustler / Soloprenuer

Level 2: Scaler

Level 1: Side Hustler / Solopreneur

Here are our recommendations for our absolute must-haves for anyone at the Side Hustler / Solopreneur level. We do not recommend any tools or systems that are superfluous to your needs, but these investments will save you a lot of time, money, and effort long term. They've been intentionally chosen to make your life easier!

Recommended Plan: Business Standard

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Schedule calls (Google Calendar)

✅ Host + record calls (Google Meet)

✅ Custom email ([email protected])

✅ Send one-off emails via Gmail

✅ Get contracts signed (Google Docs / Drive)

✅ Folder / file storage (Google Drive)

✅ Spreadsheet + doc creation (Google Sheets)

✅ Forms for onboarding, testimonials (Google Forms)

✅ Host live webinars with up to 100 attendees (60 minutes - Google Meet)

NOTE: Don't purchase yet if you are still considering what website provider to use - see Squarespace deal below!

💰 Approx $200 USD, p/a

Learn More + Sign Up

Recommended Plan: Business + Email Marketing Add On (Starter or Core)

Great for beginners: Rosie used this at the start of Badass Careers, but upgraded to Kajabi when she had a bigger budget.

✅ Full website builder

✅ Landing pages (freebies, sales pages, registration pages, thank you pages...)

✅ Link in Bio

✅ Email marketing, including automations, sequences, and analytics (requires email marketing upgrade)

✅ Checkouts (including payment plans) - requires Stripe / PayPal to collect payment

✅ Google Workspace free for the first year (for new accounts set up through Squarespace)

✅ Domain free for the first year (for new accounts)

💰 Approx $400 USD, p/a

Free 14 Day Trial

Recommended Plan: Kickstarter

WHAT BADASS USES

Kajabi has all of the website / marketing features listed against Squarespace, plus additional features designed specifically for course creators / online coaches. It has the ability to host a podcast, online courses, communities, and more.

While Kajabi is a little overpowered at the side hustler / beginner level, if you're confident Kajabi is where you want to be and want to scale without switching platforms, consider starting with their Kickstarter plan.

Keep in mind that Kajabi doesn't have the same offer Squarespace does of a free custom domain + Google Workspace for the first year.

💰 Approx $700 USD, p/a

Free 30 Day Trial

Recommended Plan: Pro

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Graphic Design

✅ Content Creation

✅ Freebie Design (PDFs, workbooks)

An absolute no-brainer at all levels of business.

💰 Approx $120 USD, p/a

Learn More

Recommended Plan: Business

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Screen recording

✅ Recording course video modules

✅ Client feedback / work audits

💰 Approx $180 USD, p/a

Learn More

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Domain Purchase
(i.e. .com / .co)

Consider a different address if they require a brokers fee, or the cost runs into the hundreds / thousands.

Not needed if you qualify for the Squarespace deal.

💰 Approx $30 USD, p/a

Learn More

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Process / accept payments

✅ Standalone checkouts (but we recommend building out your checkouts on Squarespace or Kajabi for greater customisation)

💰 % of each sale

Learn More

APPROX ANNUAL COST FOR SIDE HUSTLER / SOLOPRENEUR CORE BIZ TECH:

Using Squarespace: $700 USD (with free domain + free Google Workspace deal) / $900 USD (without said deal) p/a.

Using Kajabi: $1250 USD, p/a.

Level 2: Scaler

Recommended Plan: Business Standard

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Schedule calls (Google Calendar)

✅ Host + record calls (Google Meet)

✅ Custom email ([email protected])

✅ Send one-off emails via Gmail

✅ Get contracts signed (Google Docs / Drive)

✅ Folder / file storage (Google Drive)

✅ Spreadsheet + doc creation (Google Sheets)

✅ Forms for onboarding, testimonials (Google Forms)

✅ Host live webinars with up to 100 attendees (60 minutes - Google Meet) - for more attendees, either upgrade your plan OR for a fully fledged webinar software add Demio (see below)

💰 Approx $200 USD, p/a

Learn More + Sign Up

Recommended Plan: Basic or Growth

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Full website builder

✅ Landing pages (freebies, sales pages, registration pages, thank you pages...)

✅ Link in Bio

✅ Podcast Hosting

✅ Email marketing, including automations, sequences, and analytics

✅ Checkouts (including payment plans) - requires Stripe / PayPal to collect payment

💰 Approx $1400 - $1900 USD, p/a

Free 30 Day Trial

Pro-tip: If you need more attendees but only launch a few times per year, you can temporarily increase your room size for the month upon request. Remember to consider show up rate (usually less than 50%) when estimating live attendee numbers!

Recommended Plan: Growth

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Live webinars, with up to 150 attendees // ability to put webinars on evergreen

Demio is a very expensive option, but it makes sense for the Badass Careers model because we have a lot of evergreen, automated webinars. If this is part of your business model, and you want more capacity for live webinars, it may be one to consider. However, for most beginners we would recommend simply upgrading your Google Workspace account so you can have more attendees for your live events.

💰 Approx $900 USD, p/a

Learn More

Recommended Plan: Pro

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Graphic Design

✅ Content Creation

✅ Freebie Design (PDFs, workbooks)

An absolute no-brainer at all levels of business.

💰 Approx $120 USD, p/a

Learn More

Recommended Plan: Business

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Screen recording

✅ Recording course video modules

✅ Client feedback / work audits

💰 Approx $180 USD, p/a

Learn More

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Domain Purchase
(i.e. .com / .co)

Consider a different address if they require a brokers fee, or the cost runs into the hundreds / thousands.

Not needed if you qualify for the Squarespace deal.

💰 Approx $30 USD, p/a

Learn More

WHAT BADASS USES

✅ Process / accept payments

✅ Standalone checkouts (but we recommend building out your checkouts on Squarespace or Kajabi for greater customistion)

💰 % of each sale

Learn More

APPROX ANNUAL COST FOR SCALER CORE BIZ TECH:

Approx $1900 - $3300 USD, p/a.

Content Production 🎨

Instagram

YouTube

Podcasting

For the Instagrammers 🤳

The gear we recommend for creating short-form video content for Instagram (or TikTok, or YT shorts!).

📷 Camera

No need to buy a special camera, you can use your smartphone for short-form filming - Free

Use the BACK camera, zoomed to 0.8-0.9%.

💡Lighting

Option 1: Use natural lighting in front of a big window / door - Free

Option 2: Ring Light (Inkeltech Ring Light) ~ $100 USD

🎙️ Mic

Option 1: Lapel mic (RØDE Lavalier GO Professional Wearable Microphone) ~ $40 USD

Option 2: Button Mic (RIBIU Wireless Lavalier) ~ $50 USD

🎬 Tripod

Option 1: Improvise, using a stack of books or similar - Free

Option 2: Phone Tripod (Joby GripTight PRO TelePod) ~ $10 USD

🗓️ Scheduling

Option 1: Native / In-app scheduling (our preference) - Free

Option 2: Meta Business Suite (Instagram / FB only) - Free

🎞️ Video Editing

Option 1: Capcut (www.capcut.com) - Free

Option 2: iMovie (Apple website) - Free