The accidental entrepreneur’s secret to saving time (and energy)

What do you do when there’s so much to do and so little time in the day? If you’re anything like Gareth Marlow, you find the perfect tech stack to free up time and bandwidth.

Gareth didn't set out to be an entrepreneur. His journey began with the simple desire to help others, sparked by a childhood fascination with engineering and technology. From dismantling gadgets to studying Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, Gareth's path eventually led him to explore the transformative power of digital technologies in organizations.

It was this passion that inspired him to create eqsystems.io, a coaching company focused on enhancing the effectiveness of STEM organizations through emotional intelligence (eq), systems thinking, and the innovative use of technology. 

At eqsystems.io, Gareth works closely with STEM professionals, helping them build exceptional products, foster strong team dynamics, and cultivate resilient organizational cultures. His approach blends deep industry knowledge with a profound understanding of human dynamics, aiming to create lasting impacts in both professional and personal spheres.

For Gareth, each day is about empowering others to communicate effectively, build relationships, and confidently lead teams. This focus on the human aspect of business isn't just a job for him—it's his calling, his dream job, and what he truly excels at. 

Reducing administrative work as an entrepreneur

Unfortunately, running your own business involves a little bit more than just being good at what you do. Business owners like Gareth constantly juggle admin tasks like managing their calendars and multiple schedules, handling client booking, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

That's where coaching scheduling software, like YouCanBookMe, changed the game for him. He loves how seamlessly it integrates into his workflow, and his clients love the intuitive calendar interface. The intuitive UI saves him dozens of hours every week on emailing alone, which means he can spend more time coaching and less time managing administrative tasks like booking meetings.

Plus, YouCanBookMe is a completely customizable calendar and booking system. He can set up different types of appointments, embed his booking link on his website, add buffers between sessions, and even sync it with his Google Calendar effortlessly. 

In this line of work, building strong client relationships is everything. YouCanBookMe not only streamlines scheduling, but enhances the overall client experience with its world-class booking experience and easy-to-use interface.

Using YouCanBookMe in Gareth's day-to-day

YouCanBookMe's a scheduling app for small businesses that's truly helped him grow his business by allowing him to focus on what he does best—coaching and connecting with people. 

A look into an entrepreneurs tech stack

Beyond YouCanBookMe, Gareth Marlow has a few tools he’d never like to do business without. 

Google Apps For Business

Google Apps For Business has been crucial for EQSystems.io’s operations. It encompasses a suite of tools that not only enhance communication and collaboration but also streamline his entire workflow. Google Meet, in particular, serves as his preferred platform for video calls, seamlessly integrating with other Google Apps For Business tools like Google Calendar to ensure efficient scheduling, communication, and document management.

FreeAgent

His accountant swears by FreeAgent for managing finances, and he loves it because it means he doesn't have to worry about bookkeeping. FreeAgent integrates smoothly with other tools, keeping everything organized and saving him a ton of time each month.

Fathom.video

After a wrist injury, Gareth needed a better way to take notes during sessions ASAP. Fathom.video came to the rescue with its efficient note-taking system. It records and transcribes discussions in real time, allowing him to focus entirely on his clients without missing any important details. It's been a game-changer for boosting productivity and staying fully engaged during coaching sessions.

These tools aren't just about efficiency; they allow him to nurture client relationships, tailor his coaching sessions, and ultimately deliver better outcomes. 

Less time scheduling, more time coaching

Despite the challenges of being a solopreneur, the satisfaction of seeing his clients thrive and succeed makes it all worthwhile. Each success story reinforces his commitment to this path and motivates him to continually improve his coaching approach and the business operations that support it.

Balancing passion with pragmatism is key, and with the right tools and a dedicated mindset, he navigates these waters effectively, ensuring that his focus remains where it matters most—on the people and their potential.