One thing I get asked all the time is “What tools do you recommend for running my business?”
And honestly, I LOVE this question because I’ve spent a lot of time testing out different options and finding the ones that actually make life easier — not harder.

Today, I’m sharing a few of my go-to vendors and platforms that I personally recommend (and use!) for small business owners, whether you’re in home services, medical, real estate, or just doing your thing building a dream. I’ve also got referral links for each one — so if you decide to check them out, you’ll be supporting my business and with many, you’ll be rewarded, too!

Let’s dive in:

1. Gusto | Payroll Made Simple

• For Small Business Owners: Sign up for Gusto here
• For Accountants: Sign up for Gusto Partners here

If you’ve got employees or are planning to hire, Gusto is hands down one of the easiest payroll platforms out there. It’s super user-friendly, handles all the tax filings, W-2s, 1099s — the whole nine yards. Plus, it’s not just payroll. They also offer benefits administration and HR support if you need it.

If you’re an accountant or bookkeeper, Gusto also has a Partner Program that gives you amazing resources, a partner dashboard, discounts for your clients, and more. It’s a huge value-add if you’re offering payroll services alongside bookkeeping or tax work!

I’ve set up multiple clients on Gusto and every time it’s been such a smooth experience. Highly recommend if you want payroll to not be the headache it usually is.

2. Relay Financial | Business Banking and Money Management Platform

Link: Open your Relay account here

Relay is honestly a game-changer if you’re tired of traditional banks. It’s made specifically for business owners. You can open multiple checking accounts (hello, Profit First people!), issue corporate cards to your team, and manage everything super cleanly from a slick online dashboard.

Plus — no monthly fees. No minimum balances. No nonsense.

If you’re serious about keeping your business finances organized (and you should be!), Relay is a no-brainer.

3. American Express Blue Business Cash Card | Big Rewards, No Annual Fee

Link: Apply for the Amex Blue Business Cash Card here

Look, every business owner should be using a credit card strategically. The Amex Blue Business Cash Card gives you 2% cash back on your first $50,000 of purchases each year, then 1% after that — and it has no annual fee.

It’s a solid, reliable card that puts cash back in your pocket just for running your business. (And yes, I personally use it and LOVE it.)

4. Anchor | Get Paid Faster with Fewer Hassles

Link: Get started with Anchor here

If you’ve ever dealt with clients who forget to pay invoices on time (or worse, ghost you completely), Anchor is your new best friend.

It automates your invoicing, contracts, and payment collection — and it’s super client-friendly too. Clients can approve, sign, and pay all in one flow, which gets you paid faster and makes everything feel more professional.

And here’s a major bonus: No more new proposals every time something changes. With Anchor, you can simply add that new service to the existing proposal. Your client has 7 days to accept or decline the change — if they don’t respond, the change is automatically adopted.
This workflow makes service updates and scope changes way easier for everyone involved, keeping projects moving without all the back-and-forth.

Honestly, this tool is a lifesaver for service providers who don’t want to chase money or bog down clients with endless paperwork.

5. Melio | Easy, Fee-Free Bill Payments

Link: Pay your vendors with Melio here

Last but not least, Melio is one of my favorite ways to pay vendors — especially if you want to use a credit card to pay bills but your vendor only accepts checks. With Melio, you can pay them via credit card, ACH, or check without having to coordinate a bunch of different payment methods.

Bonus? You can schedule payments ahead of time to help manage cash flow better.

It’s perfect for business owners who are juggling bills, want a little extra float time, or just like having a clean system for keeping vendor payments organized.

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Final Thoughts

I’m all about finding tools that make running your business smoother and more profitable — and these are some of the ones I personally trust and recommend.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a more streamlined, professional business setup, check out the links above and grab the ones that fit your needs!

Need help getting your business financials cleaned up or organized?
Let’s chat! Learn more about working with Lookout Bookkeeping here.

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Disclosure:

Relay is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The Relay Visa® Debit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Relay Visa® Credit Card is issued by Thread Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.