Lately, I’ve been seeing and enjoying a lot of what other women are carrying around with them in their purses to help them get through their days. It’s fun to see the go-to items that they can’t leave home without. Like, this toddler mom purse, this girl mom purse, or even this hospital bag purse. So I thought it would be fun to share with you what I carry with me as a businesswoman/entrepreneur. A lot of people ask me how I can manage my company, be a mom, and have a life (the very little social life that I do have). Well, it isn’t easy. I try to stay organized, and I carry a big tote bag with me to make sure that I’m prepared for it all — whether I come up with a great idea, I’m running to a last-minute meeting, or I need something to help me stay focused, it’s all in my bag. Here’s a peek at what’s in my purse and the items that I absolutely cannot be without.
Notebooks
Brainstorming, innovating, and problem-solving are just some of the things that you do regularly when you’re a #bosslady. Having a notebook (or two) with you is a must as a leader and entrepreneur. You never know when the moment will strike that you’ll think of something genius that you must write down or sketch out! I know that a lot of people use their phones nowadays, but being able to scribble and process my thoughts on paper is so much more satisfying for me. It helps my creative juices flow.
These May Design notebooks are perfect for just that. They help me remember little things (or big things) that I need to jot down quickly, take notes if I’m in a meeting, or help me process plans or new ideas.
Planner
As you already know, I’m obsessed with my Erin Condren life planner. I always have it with me in my purse because it organizes my life. I’ve been using a life planner every year for the past four years, and I’m never looking back. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend that you give it a go. It has helped me be more effective and efficient with my time, and it helps me stay on top of my appointments, deadlines, to-do lists, and more.
As for the fine-tip markers, it’s always more fun to make your schedule and lists pop! At least it is for me. I like to have my calendar look more alive and cheerful. As Erin Condren would say, I get to live my life more colorfully with my planner and these markers. 🙂
Cell Phone, Laptop & Chargers
These are pretty obvious. As an entrepreneur, you can’t ever be turned off. This is why I always have my computer, cell phone, and chargers with me. It’s the worst when you’re running out of battery, and you still have a conference call that you need to join and probably 47,632,958 emails that you still have to get to . . . ha!
Essential Oils
Girrrl! Are you stressed, tired, or have a headache? (I could go on and on about the different things that essential oils can help with.) Stress, exhaustion, and headaches are some of the everyday things that I experience as an entrepreneur. And if you’re a mom, I know you feel my pain, literally. This is why I carry this little zip-up pouch that holds a few of my go-to essential oils when I need to feel better in a pinch. (I don’t take any medicine. Essential oils are my go-to!)
Snacks
When your to-do list is a mile long, it’s easy to forget to take a minute to eat. All of a sudden, it’s way past lunchtime, and you haven’t eaten a thing! I have to carry around some snacks in my purse so I can keep going. Kind bars, nuts, and fig bars help me have the energy to carry on. I do have some candies in there too… 😉 That sweet tooth of mine is killer.
Hand Lotion, Deodorant, Hand Sanitizer & Lipstick
Every day I have meetings scheduled. It could be with my staff, our clients, other business owners, you name it. Being the owner, I am always representing not only myself but my companies, so I need to have it together. If it’s been a stressful day, I may need some extra deodorant, or I need to reapply some lipstick, so I don’t look washed out, or if I’m going to see a newborn, I have to have clean and soft hands. These are just some of my go-to items to keep things fresh.
| Deodorant | Purell | Bobbi Brown | IT Cosmetics | Hand Lotion |
Little Essentials
These are some of the little things that I also try to always carry on me.
- Breath mints – gotta have fresh breath.
- Hand-held mirror – just in case you want to double-check, there’s nothing in your teeth.
- Tide To-Go Pen – I’m not always the most graceful person. For some reason, spills always tend to happen when I’m wearing white. Having a quick fix like this is a must!
- Business Cards – Selling, selling, selling! You are always selling yourself and your business, no matter where you are when you’re an entrepreneur. Business cards on hand are a necessity for any business owner.
- USB – I like to have a USB with me just in case I have to save something that’s too large of a file, or maybe I need to print something later. You never know!
- Square Card Reader – If someone is ready to pay you, wherever you happen to be, you have to be prepared and able to accept all forms of payment. Business and money never sleep, so I don’t like to be unprepared.
Money, honey!
As I just previously stated, you have to be ready to accept payment if someone is ready to purchase something or pay you, but I also like to be prepared in case I have to make a payment. I keep my business checkbooks with me in the event I have to write a check to one of my staff members or reimburse someone. With my checkbooks, I also keep a notepad tear sheet that I can write quick to-do’s in case I need to leave a note.
Purse Organizer: ToteSavvy
As you can see, I carry quite a bit. When you have to tote around (what feels like) your entire life as I do, you have to have a system to be able to find everything and keep things organized. Otherwise, it will all get lost. This is why every woman, especially every mama, needs a purse organizer. When you need something, you usually need it right then and there. I’ve tried several purse organizers in the past, but the one that I have fallen in love with that I have been using for about a year now is the ToteSavvy. The ToteSavvy is actually meant to be a diaper bag organizer, but it is perfect for me and, honestly, any woman who has a cluttered and messy bag.
Here’s my ToteSavvy filled with my items:
What’s inside your purse? Do you carry some of the same items? Are there any things that you recommend that I carry? I’d love to know! 🙂
