The Systems That Support How I Lead My Business Every Day

Audrie Dollins, Marketing, Social Media Marketing

I am not going to lie. Sharing these details makes me a bit nervous. Behind every business is a foundation that is constantly being evaluated, refined, and improved. Like any business owner, I regularly assess my systems, double down on what is working, and question what could be better. I know there are hundreds of tools available, but these are the ones I currently rely on. They work for me, and I stand confidently behind the decisions I have made for my businesses.

I truly believe the way you structure your business determines how far it can grow. Clarity and intention create momentum. The right systems protect your time and allow you to focus on leadership rather than getting buried in daily tasks. That is the difference between simply running a business and truly scaling one.

The tools below support my operations and strengthen the experience we deliver to every client. They keep my agency organized, efficient, and positioned to move with purpose. When you start a business, you do not always realize what the role of a CEO actually entails. Regardless of your product or service, the responsibilities tied to finances, processes, and daily execution are demanding and can become costly without the right structure in place.

These programs and applications work behind the scenes, yet they shape how I show up every day as a founder. They also must be intuitive and supported by strong customer service. My marketing agency operates at a high level, alongside responsibilities that often intersect with CPAs, legal teams, and external partners. These foundational systems allow everything to work together seamlessly and set me up for long-term success.

Below is a look at the exact tools and systems I use to run my businesses with clarity and intention. These are not trends or quick fixes. They are the platforms that support our daily execution, protect my time, and allow me to lead with focus.

GoDaddy

Every strong brand begins with a protected digital foundation. GoDaddy manages all of my domains, as well as every domain I oversee for clients. More than 83% of small businesses choose GoDaddy, which speaks to its reliability and scale. I secure domains the moment inspiration hits and rely on GoDaddy to keep everything connected, organized, and positioned for growth.

From DNS records to team email setup and site integrations, GoDaddy makes complex backend tasks simple. I have designed countless websites that require precise DNS access, and the platform consistently delivers ease of use and dependable support at any time of day. It allows me to maintain a clean, professional online footprint while supporting both my agency and client needs with confidence.

Showit With WordPress

My website and blog are built on Showit with WordPress because I want full creative control paired with the most powerful blogging system available. WordPress powers 43% of all websites, which speaks to its longevity, scalability, and SEO strength. Showit allows me to design without limitation, while WordPress supports structure, search visibility, and long-term content growth. Together, they provide a foundation that evolves as my business does.

My blog is a key resource for my audience and an extension of my agency’s messaging. Showit’s design capabilities allow my brand to remain elevated and intentional, while the WordPress integration ensures every post is optimized for performance and discoverability. I have worked across many website platforms, and this combination continues to outperform others in both design flexibility and SEO. I do not chase trends or platform noise. I invest in systems that deliver long-term value.

Patriot Software

Patriot is a major one and an essential part of how my business is structured and valued. Clean, accurate financial systems matter not only for daily operations but also for long-term planning, external CPA reviews, and overall business valuation. Patriot manages payroll and accounting in a way that provides clear, detailed profit and loss reporting, payroll documentation, and financial visibility, allowing me to focus on leading instead of tracking numbers all day.

Automated payroll can save up to 85% of administrative time and reduce payroll errors by more than 65%. Patriot manages team payroll, contractor payments, tax filings, and reporting with consistency and accuracy, which gives me confidence when planning ahead and making strategic decisions.

Patriot also offers extended partner options, including 401K plans, insurance solutions, bookkeeping support, and additional financial services. While the systems are streamlined, I still invest time working closely with their associates to ensure everything is set up properly. That time is intentional. A strong backend is not passive. It requires education, attention, and alignment. This structure supports business growth, long-term planning, and ensures my team is positioned for success in their own financial goals as well.

Adobe Suite, Lightroom, and Canva

The work I am able to produce using Canva continues to impress me. The platform allows for elevated, on brand design at scale, and it has become an essential tool for creating polished marketing assets efficiently. The ability to collaborate with my team while maintaining visual consistency makes it invaluable to our workflow.

Lightroom plays a critical role on the content side. Batch editing allows me to process large volumes of imagery quickly while maintaining consistent color, tone, and direction across every asset. That level of efficiency and visual alignment is essential in marketing, where consistency builds trust and recognition.

Together, these platforms are core essentials in my business. They support the creation of high quality online assets and allow my team and me to execute at a high level without sacrificing brand integrity or time.

CapCut

Video is the leading content format and now accounts for 82% of internet consumption. CapCut has more than 200 million monthly users because it makes high-quality video editing accessible, efficient, and intuitive. I use it to create reels, promotional assets, podcast clips, and final edits that elevate visual storytelling across platforms.

What I appreciate most is its simplicity and flexibility. I can edit directly from my phone without spending hours inside a complex system. That efficiency matters when content volume is high, and speed is essential. CapCut allows me to execute quickly while still producing polished, professional video content.

Asana

Asana is the heartbeat of my agency workflows. It organizes every task, client project, timeline, approval, and internal communication inside the business. Companies that use project management systems see productivity increase by up to 45% and experience more than 60% fewer missed deadlines.

Every client and team member’s structure lives inside Asana. Every deliverable. Every revision. Every weekly workflow. It keeps the agency proactive instead of reactive and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. I am very clear on this one. I do not care what others use. This is the system that makes my world run.

Flodesk

Flodesk Flodesk offers a modern, design-forward approach that aligns seamlessly with both my marketing and creative standards. I genuinely love the platform and refer clients to Flodesk regularly, often setting up new accounts and systems on a monthly basis. It supports all newsletter creation across my business and plays a critical role in how we communicate with our audience.

Email marketing continues to deliver an average return of $36 for every $1 invested, making it one of the most effective tools for brand growth and client communication. I use Flodesk to create polished weekly newsletters, announcements, holiday messaging, and promotional content that align visually and strategically with my brand. The open rates and design capabilities consistently outperform other platforms, and the value compared to competing software fees is exceptional.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is the system that holds everything together. More than 6 million businesses rely on it daily, and more than 2 billion people use its applications each month, which speaks to its reliability and scale.

I use Google Docs for writing and collaboration, Google Sheets for analytics, reporting, and planning, Google Meet for internal and client meetings, and Google Drive for organized file storage. Together, these tools create strong checks and balances across the business and support clear, efficient team communication.

Google Sheets, in particular, is where I spend a significant amount of time. Analytics, financial tracking, performance reporting, checklists, and planning all live there. I am highly analytical, and having real-time visibility into numbers and workflows allows me to lead with clarity and make informed decisions. Whether I am in the office, traveling, or working remotely with my team, Google Workspace keeps the agency organized, accessible, and aligned.

Instachamp by MobileMonkey

Instachamp Instachamp by MobileMonkey

Instachamp by MobileMonkey supports my Instagram engagement and automates several key communication touchpoints. Automated messaging can increase engagement by up to 80% and reduce response times by 70%. This tool ensures followers, inquiries, and new contacts receive timely guidance to links, services, or next steps, even when my team is focused on client work.

I periodically pause and reset my automation to test what performs best for my audience. That flexibility is important. When used thoughtfully, automated responses support scale without sacrificing clarity or responsiveness.

My Take on Keyword-Triggered DMs

I am often asked whether asking followers to comment on a specific word to receive a link via DM feels transactional. My honest answer is that it depends entirely on how it is positioned and how often it is used.

Keyword-triggered DMs work best when they feel helpful, not sales-driven. I prefer using them when delivering value, such as resources, guides, or direct access to something meaningful. Overuse can feel automated and impersonal, especially if every post triggers a response. Balance matters.

In many cases, directing followers to the link in bio still feels the most natural. The DM automation becomes a strong complement when speed, clarity, or tracking matters. When automation is intentional and aligned with your brand voice, it can enhance the experience rather than detract from it.

Transistor

Transistor hosts the Founders and Fortitude Podcast and distributes episodes across multiple listening platforms. There are more than 465 million podcast listeners globally, and more than 60% discover new shows through cross-platform distribution, making broad distribution essential for growth.

Transistor allows me to monitor listener analytics, episode performance, audience retention, and engagement trends, all of which support long-term planning and expansion of the show. The platform is intuitive, easy to set up, and extremely affordable, making it accessible without sacrificing functionality.

For anyone looking to distribute a podcast efficiently, I highly recommend Transistor for its user-friendly experience. As a bonus, the milestone badges add a fun, motivating element that celebrates growth along the way.

Opus Clip

Opus Clip Pro takes long-form content and transforms it into short vertical video designed to perform across digital platforms. Short-form video is consumed four times more than long-form, and users spend an average of 90 minutes per day watching vertical content, making this type of repurposing essential for visibility.

The platform allows me to repurpose podcast episodes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage into polished, engaging clips that extend the life of long-form content. Opus Clip Pro is highly user-friendly and has become a valuable tool for client podcasts, partner highlights, and social content that feels intentional, elevated, and performance-driven.

These programs and applications work quietly behind the scenes, yet they shape how I show up every day as a founder, leader, and decision maker. They support the structure that allows my business to operate with clarity rather than chaos and intention rather than reaction.

I have also included the tech and office essentials that support my daily processes, from computers and cameras to lighting, phones, desks, and organizational tools. These details matter more than people realize. When your environment is set up to support your workflow, it removes friction and allows you to stay focused on what truly moves the business forward. If you are building or refining your own setup, feel free to shop my office and use what resonates.

Building a business is not about copying someone else’s systems. It is about choosing tools that align with how you think, how you lead, and how you want to grow. Have fun with the process, trust your instincts, and remember why you started. Your why is worth protecting and worth pursuing.

These tools give me structure. They save time. They support consistent, sustainable growth. They allow me to lead with clarity instead of operating in constant catch-up mode. When you choose systems that elevate your business, the way you show up as a founder changes.

These platforms are not the most glamorous part of my brand, and they are rarely the loudest. But they are the backbone that allows the vision to scale, the team to thrive, and every client experience to be delivered with excellence, confidence, and purpose.

Save with My Office & Tech Favorites

As always, I hope my insight helps you guide your business to the most success. I love assisting fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and content creators to find their footing and capitalize on it. For more business insights and entrepreneurial tips, be sure to view some of my latest blog posts below. You being here means the world to me! I am driven daily by your continued support.

Some Other Blog Posts You May Find Helpful: Maximize Your Reach with Google My Business Profile and Posting, The Power of the Sephora Storefront for Creators, The Rise of ShopMy: Features and Insights For Creators and Brands, The Most Effective Brand Collaboration My 2025 Guide For Brands and Influencers, Founder’s Favorites, Comparing Monetization Platforms: LikeToKnowit, Collective Voice, Mavely, Shop My, Amazon Influencer Program, & More

To stay in the know in real time, follow me on Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
You can always shop my favorite looks by following me at LTK | or My Amazon Store Front

YOU CAN ALSO FIND ME HERE

Let's get to know one another

I’m the Founder and CEO of Parlay Collective, where I oversee strategy, growth, and platform performance across brands and creator-led businesses.

My work centers on building strong online foundations through structure, clear execution, and a deep understanding of what drives conversion, return on investment, and sustained relevance. The perspective I share here comes from experience, scale, and long-term thinking.

Alongside this work, I share the realities of modern founder life, from corporate workwear, travel, and office life to the tools and considerations that support showing up prepared in demanding environments.

This platform reflects how I build today, focusing first on what works, then on how it shows up in real life.