Tools, systems, and real automations powering your solo business.
Today, I’m breaking down the exact automation stack I’d build if I had to start over—no guesswork.
If you're a solo founder, freelancer, or creator, the right tech stack can save you hours, keep you organized, and let your business run on autopilot while you focus on growth.
Unfortunately, most people get stuck because:
- They automate before fixing manual tasks
- They pick tools that don’t integrate
- They set up processes that can’t handle change
I’ve made all those mistakes, so you don't have to.
Your productivity dies with too many tools
You don’t need 10 tools. You need a tight stack that actually works together.
This stack lets you:
- Cut down on manual tasks—immediately
- Set up systems once, then reuse them every time
- Keep everything in one place (no more open tab chaos)
- Get things done without ever needing a team
And here’s exactly how you can do it too.
How to build your automation stack in 3 steps
- Document before you automate
- Use tools that actually integrate
- Turn your automations into templates
Step 1: Document before you automate
Before you automate anything, nail the process manually.
If a task is messy, unclear, or always changing, automation just multiplies the problems.
Start by listing your recurring tasks: content creation, client delivery, onboarding, lead generation, etc.
Then standardize each process using simple checklists or SOPs.
Always document before you automate.
Start here:
Pick one thing you do more than once a week. For me, it was client onboarding.
I used to:
- Manually email welcome docs
- Set up tasks in Notion
- Create folders in Drive
- Add the client to Slack & Skool
I wrote down every step in a Notion checklist. Once it was clear, I built an automation to do it all on autopilot using Make.com.
Tip: Use Notion or Google Docs to list every step. Only move to automation after you’ve done it manually a few times and feel confident your process is locked.
Step 2: Use tools that actually integrate
Don’t pick tools just because they look cool or heard some hype. Pick tools that actually integrate.
If they don’t connect via Make.com (or Zapier), skip them. You’ll avoid hours of headaches later.
Here’s the stack you want:
- ✅ Notion – Your control center
Every client brief, checklist, content calendar, and SOP lives here. If it’s not in Notion, it doesn’t exist for you.
- ✅ Make.com – The 2nd brain
Connects everything. Notion → Slack → Gmail → Sheets → Forms → Payments → Course access, etc. Run 15+ automations for onboarding, client updates, content logs, and follow-ups.
- ✅ Slack + Gmail – For real-time alerts
Client form filled out? You get a Slack ping. Payment confirmed? Onboarding email out. No manual checking—just instant flow.
- ✅ Airtable – For clean data
When Notion gets cluttered, Airtable steps in. Track leads, tasks, and follow-ups, all cleanly laid out. FYI - it's more advanced.
- ✅ ThriveCart – For payments
If you’re processing payments, ThriveCart is your go-to tool for seamless transactions and product delivery.
- ✅ Skool – For community & courses
Host your community and digital products in one place—create courses and interact with members easily.
Example Automations
Sales
New Calendly booking → Create a row in Airtable → Auto-email with Zoom link + prep Google Slides
New Signup
New client form → Rec payment via ThriveCart → Create row in Airtable → Create Notion dashboard → Send welcome email via Gmail → Grant access to Skool → Slack messages to team
Everything’s connected. Streamline. Efficient. No extra clicks for you.
Step 3: Turn your automations into templates
Once a system works—save it. Name it. Next time, just duplicate it.
You should save:
- A “client onboarding” Make.com scenario
- A “lead magnet → CRM → email follow-up” flow
- A complete “content planning system” using Airtable views
When you launch a new offer or get a new client, just duplicate the flow. It takes 2 minutes—no starting from scratch ever again.
This is how you build once and reuse forever.
That’s your stack, just what’s working right now for solo operators.
If you're ready to implement this system but still feel uncertain about where to start or how to personalize it, just reply with "follow-up kit" and I’ll send you the full breakdown:
- My complete automation SOP + stack
- Tool links
- Workflow blueprints
- Critical mistakes to avoid
🎯 Your goal?
- Less clicking. More creating.
- Less burnout. More breathing room.
🧭 If you're still stuck, it's not because you're lazy. You just need a real blueprint.
Book a quick strategy call and let’s design a system that turns your existing knowledge into income, together.
We’ll map out a step-by-step plan to grow your audience, lock in your offer and monetization path, and finally build a creator business that frees you from the 9-to-5 grind.