We’ve compiled some of the best books and resources to help you build your expertise and your business. There may be affiliate links on this page, which means we may receive a small commission if you choose to use them. For more about what that means, click here. And know that we do not recommend anything we have not used or have personal experience with.
Your SCA Textbook
The book we use throughout the course is Surviving and Thriving, by Dr. Patricia Papernow. You don’t need to read it all at once, but you will have reading assignments in various sections of the book. You can grab a copy of the book on Amazon, or wherever you get your books.
Business Tools
Below you’ll find various business tools and software that I use in my business. If you have questions about any of it, feel free to reach out!
Domain Name & Site Hosting
There are a number of places you can search, purchase, and host available domain names.
I use Siteground and have found it to be extremely reliable with great customer service.
Email Automation
Convert Kit is an industry-leading email management system that will help you create automated email campaigns, landing pages, and more. They do have a free plan to get you started (you can also grab a free trial HERE).
Bookkeeping
QuickBooks is an industry-leading budget management software that will help you track your expenses and income. Many CPAs are able to work with it, so it can help make things simpler at tax time.
Web/Logo Design
Soapbox Studios offers logo creation and website design/creation (they designed my logos and websites). Tracey and Justin provide top-notch products and customer service at reasonable prices. AND they’ve offered a free brand review to SCA students!
Shopping Cart/Checkout Tech
Thrivecart offers a ton of value and is an industry leader for its checkout and digital product and course delivery. They also own ConvertBox, which is a great software that implements pop-ups on your website.
Scheduling Tool
Calendly integrates with your calendar, your website, and other business tools to people to easily book time with you for coaching calls, interviews, or anything else. There are a lot of scheduling tools out there, but I’ve found this to be the easiest to use.
Sales Pages
Leadpages is an easy-to-use web page builder that lets you build a sales page without knowing anything about coding. It integrates seamlessly with email providers and your WordPress website.
Project Management
There are some great project management tools out there. I’ve tried a number of them and I’ve found Asana is a fantastic tool to stay organized with clients and projects. And their free plan is great.
Stock Photos
You’ll want to be sure that any photos you use on your site and your sales pages are licensed. Depositphotos has an enormous number of photos and a lot of different plan options for getting photos.
Data Management
Airtable is a great tool for collecting information/applications – and their free plan is all you need. It has a bit more functionality than Google forms. I use it to collect info from Stepmom Summit speakers, for coaching applications, and for the SCA admission process. Its interface is easy to use, and you can also set up automations to get notified when someone submits info, etc.
Courses
I’ve taken many courses as I’ve built my business – some that felt like throwing money down the drain and others that have truly helped me grow. So that you don’t waste your money the way I did, I’ve compiled the most relevant and helpful courses and instructors here to help you build your business.
Dama Jue
Dama provides trainings and templates for Thrivecart, Learn+, and ConvertBox. She gives you exactly what you need to build exactly what you need and she’s a great resource.
Media & PR
Susie Moore offers some of the best training around to help you get media attention. She not only teaches how to pitch editors and producers, but in Superstar Sessions, she opens up her rolodex and introduces you to them, too! The work I’ve done with her and the contacts I’ve met through her program has enabled me to be featured in a number of national publications.
Social Media
Kate Gilbert’s 30-day Sprint program walks you through what to post, when to post it, and you create a “loop” of 70 posts to make it easy to get regular with your social media.
Shopping Cart/Checkout Tech
Thrivecart offers a ton of value and is an industry leader for its checkout and digital product and course delivery. They also own ConvertBox, which is a great software that implements pop-ups on your website.
The Stepfamily Coach Library
I have a list on the Resources page of general stepfamily books I love to recommend to people looking for help. The books listed here are helpful specifically for coaching to deepen your understanding and give you additional tools to use with your clients. Some of these are familiar from discussing them in the certification program, but all of them are great.
GENERAL STEPFAMILY DYNAMICS
COPARENTING, CONFLICT & PARENTAL ALIENATION
RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNICATION
