My Simple Desk Setup for Running a Business

Why Your Desk Is Part of Your Business System

Running a business is already hard. Your workspace should not be working against you.

For a long time, I treated my desk like random furniture. A place to sit. A place to pile things. A place I worked around instead of with.

Once I started treating my desk like part of my business system, everything shifted. My energy improved. My focus sharpened. My visibility increased. And I stopped feeling like I was constantly behind.

So this isn’t a “perfect desk” post. It’s a real one.

Here’s the simple desk setup I actually use to run my business every day.

My Actual Desk Setup

Audio That Just Works

Good audio matters more than most people realize. You can have great ideas, but if people struggle to hear you, they won’t stick around.

This is how I keep it simple.

BOYA Lapel Microphone – for YouTube videos on my phone

When I’m recording YouTube videos or quick content on my phone or laptop, I use this mic. I want audio that sounds clean and professional without turning filming into a production.

What I love about this mic is how frictionless it is. It’s truly plug-and-play. No apps, no Bluetooth pairing, no settings to babysit. I clip it on, plug it into my phone, and start recording.

It’s also surprisingly forgiving. Between the wind cover and built-in noise handling, it captures my voice clearly even when I’m not in a perfectly quiet space. That matters when you’re recording real-life content, not hiding in a sound booth.

The clip rotates, so I can place it wherever it makes sense, and it’s light enough that I forget I’m wearing it. One charge easily lasts through multiple recording sessions, which means I’m not constantly managing batteries.

It’s one of those small upgrades that quietly makes your videos feel professional while keeping the process simple and that’s exactly what I want when I’m creating content.

Get a Boya Lapel Microphone from this Amazon affiliate link.

Yeti Microphone – for Zoom and Live videos

This microphone lives on my desk and handles Zoom meetings and live videos. When I’m at my desk, I want audio that’s steady, controlled, and ready to go without extra setup.

What makes this mic work so well for LIVE and Zoom situations is the level of control it gives me without complicating things. I can adjust volume, mute instantly, and fine-tune the mic without touching software or digging through settings mid-call.

It also adapts to how I’m using it. Whether I’m speaking directly to the camera, hosting a live session, or participating in a conversation-style meeting, the pickup options ensure the mic focuses on my voice rather than the room.

The adjustable stand makes it easy to position the mic exactly where it needs to be, and real-time monitoring means I always know how I sound. That takes the guesswork out of live situations, which is exactly what I want when people are listening in real time.

Like everything else on my desk, this mic earns its place by making it easier to show up consistently, not by adding more to think about.

Get a Yeti Microphone from Amazon with this affiliate link.

Lighting That Supports Your Presence

Lighting can significantly affect how you feel on camera and how others perceive you.

Humancentric Monitor Light Bar

I use the double light kit to light my face on Zoom and live calls. It sits on top of my monitor, stays put, and becomes part of my setup instead of something I have to fuss with every time.

Because I wear glasses, direct lighting creates glare. So instead of pointing the lights straight at my face, I bounce the light off the wall. The built-in diffuser softens the light, which creates a much more natural look on camera.

What I appreciate most is how adjustable it is. I can tweak brightness and color temperature depending on the time of day and how my space is lit. That flexibility makes a big difference when you’re on video a lot.

The lights connect together with a single power source, which keeps my desk from turning into a cable mess. Once it’s set up, it’s stationary and reliable. No suction cups, no adhesives, no constant readjusting.

This setup gives me even, professional-looking light that helps me feel polished and confident on camera without feeling over-lit or washed out. And when you show up on video regularly, that comfort matters more than you think.

Get your Humancentric light bar from this Amazon affiliate link.

Background That Builds Your Brand

Your background is part of your visibility strategy, whether you realize it or not.

Govee Flow Light Bars

These sit behind me, and I keep them set to purple for my brand. People comment on it constantly during Zoom calls, which tells me it’s doing its job.

What I love about these lights is how flexible they are. I can dial in a very specific color and brightness so the background supports me instead of competing with me. That consistency is part of what makes my setup recognizable.

They’re easy to place exactly where I want them, behind a chair in my office, pointing toward the walls people see in my background, and once they’re set, they stay put. I don’t need them flashing, reacting, or changing constantly. I want controlled, intentional light that reinforces my brand.

I can adjust everything from my phone, which means if I want to tweak the tone slightly for a different time of day or type of call, it takes seconds.

It’s a simple way to turn a plain background into a branded presence that feels polished, intentional, and very much me.

Get your Govee Flow background lights from this Amazon affiliate link.

How I Work Faster With Three Screens

This is where productivity really kicks in.

Three Samsung Monitors

I work with three Samsung monitors arranged in a gentle arch around me. One for writing. One for research. One for my business tools. That physical layout keeps everything in view without feeling overwhelming, and it dramatically speeds up how I work.

What I appreciate about these monitors is how consistent they feel visually. The colors stay clear and true no matter where I’m looking, which matters when you’re moving your eyes across multiple screens all day. There’s no harsh shift, no washed-out angles, and no visual fatigue from constantly refocusing.

They’re also easy on the eyes during long work sessions. Reduced flicker and softer light handling make it easier to stay focused without feeling drained by the end of the day.

The slim, minimal design helps the setup feel clean instead of bulky, even with three screens. Everything feels intentional rather than crowded.

Get your Samsung monitors from this Amazon affiliate link.

Logitech Trackball Mouse

The Logitech trackball mouse is what makes the whole system usable. Instead of moving the mouse around my desk, my thumb controls the cursor, which means my hand stays relaxed and my arm isn’t constantly shifting.

That design makes a bigger difference than people expect. There’s less strain on my wrist and forearm, and I can work for long stretches without that creeping tension that usually shows up after hours at a desk.

I also like that I can customize a few buttons and adjust cursor speed so it moves exactly how I want it to across three screens. Once it’s set, it just works.

Because the mouse doesn’t need to move across the desk, it saves space and works consistently on any surface. And since the battery lasts a long time, it’s not another thing I have to think about.

Work flows faster, decisions happen quicker, and my body feels better at the end of the day. That matters more than most people think.

Get your Logitech Trackball Mouse from this Amazon affiliate link.

How This Setup Supports Visibility

When your environment supports you, something subtle but powerful happens: you stop negotiating with yourself. Showing up becomes easier. Creating content feels lighter. Consistency stops feeling like a battle you have to win every day.

This setup supports my visibility by removing the tiny points of resistance that normally slow people down. I’m not wrestling with tech. I’m not bracing myself before going live. I’m not burning energy just getting started. I can step into my work, stay present, and keep moving. That momentum compounds fast.

The Real Lesson

This isn’t about buying stuff.

It’s about removing unnecessary resistance at every layer of your workday, physical, mental, and emotional. It’s about designing your business so it supports you instead of slowly draining you. It’s about creating conditions where progress feels possible even on the days you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure.

When your environment is working with you, not against you, your energy stays steadier. Your confidence grows. Your decisions feel clearer. And your business starts to feel like something you get to run, not something that constantly runs you.

Your tools should make your business lighter, not heavier.

*All links on this post are Amazon affiliate links.