From Launching to Thriving: 90 Days of Marketing Consultancy Success with the Perfect Tech Stack

Starting a marketing consultancy is both exhilarating and challenging. After 90 days of building my business from the ground up, I’ve discovered that having the right digital tools isn’t just helpful – it’s essential for success in today’s competitive landscape. Here’s an inside look at my journey and the carefully curated tech stack that’s powering my consultancy forward.

The Journey: 90 Days of Growth and Discovery

The first three months of entrepreneurship have been a remarkable ride. With over 15 years of marketing experience including leadership roles at major brands, I’ve been able to translate my corporate expertise into actionable strategies for clients of all sizes.

What began as a leap of faith has quickly evolved into a thriving consultancy offering comprehensive marketing solutions in brand strategy, content optimization, and social media management. The support from my professional network has been invaluable, creating opportunities I couldn’t have imagined just three months ago.

The Modern Marketing Consultant’s Essential Tech Stack

One early lesson: strategic app investments are non-negotiable for consultants who want to deliver professional results. Here’s the toolkit that’s become the backbone of my business operations:

Financial Management

• QuickBooks Online: The first system I implemented, establishing proper financial tracking from day one. Essential for invoicing, expense tracking, and maintaining professional financial records. Click HERE to get 75% off for 6 months!

Client Management

• Adobe Sign: Streamlines the entire contract process, creating a polished, professional experience for clients.
• Runn: Invaluable for capacity planning and visualizing bandwidth across multiple client projects.
• Toggl: Precisely tracks billable and non-billable time, ensuring accurate client billing and productivity insights. Click HERE to get $5 off!

Business Operations & Productivity

• Microsoft Office: Essential for day-to-day operations, with Microsoft Bookings being a recent valuable addition for scheduling client appointments.
• Notion: Organizes client milestones, documents wins and challenges, and centralizes project information.
• Zoom: The reliable virtual meeting solution for client consultations and presentations.

Marketing & Analytics

• Brandwatch: Delivers comprehensive social listening, competitive benchmarking, and strategic insights. It also fulfills traditional social media management needs. A significant investment that has already proven its worth.

Content Creation

• Canva: My go-to design platform since 2018 for creating everything from client proposals to social media assets.
• CapCut: Handles video editing needs beyond Canva’s capabilities.

AI Tools

• Claude AI: A sophisticated AI assistant that helps refine messaging, build upon creative ideas, and expand on marketing strategies.
• Grok xAI: Provides real-time insights and unique perspectives for brainstorming innovative marketing approaches.

Business Development

• Upwork: Provides a steady stream of potential client opportunities, supplementing referral-based business.

Lessons Learned for New Consultants

The past 90 days have taught me several valuable lessons about launching a marketing consultancy:

1. Set up financial systems immediately: Establishing proper bookkeeping from day one saves countless headaches later.
2. Invest strategically in digital tools: Quality applications pay dividends in efficiency and professionalism.
3. Document both successes and challenges: Creating a record of your journey provides valuable insights for future growth.
4. Embrace AI as a collaborative partner: Today’s AI tools can significantly enhance your creative and strategic capabilities.
5. Build capacity planning into your workflow: Visibility into your bandwidth prevents overcommitment and ensures quality delivery.

As I look toward the future, I’m excited to continue refining my tech stack and consultancy offerings. The foundation built in these first 90 days, both in client relationships and operational systems, has positioned my business for sustainable growth and continued success.

What digital tools have you found essential in your entrepreneurial journey? I’d love to hear about the applications powering your business success in the comments below!