The “Empire Stack”

No fluff. No “shiny objects.” Just the exact tools I’m using to build this site from zero—tested in the trenches so you don’t have to waste your own money guessing.

Start With The Basics See Full Stack

How does it work?

You do not need everything on this page today. I’ve broken this down into stages so you only touch what matters right now.
Start at Stage 1 to get online. Once you’re live, move to Stage 2 to build your list. Ignore the rest until you’re ready.

stage 1

Getting Started

The absolute essentials. Hosting, Theme, and Blocks. Do not buy anything else until you have these three installed and live.

Go to stage 1
stage 2

The Workshop

The production phase is where momentum dies. I use these tools to remove the friction between ‘having an idea’ and ‘publishing it.’

go to stage 2
stage 3

Building Your List

The growth engines. Email marketing, SEO, and community tools to turn traffic into an asset you actually own.

go to stage 3
Disclosure

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only list tools I actually use and pay for myself. Disclaimer Policy

Stage 1 > Getting Started

Foundation of an Empire

Your entire empire is built on three pillars: where it lives, how it’s built, and what it looks like. Get these right, and you’re ahead of 90% of beginners. 

Where you call home is the first step in laying the foundation for your Empire.

Web Hosting

Hostinger

1

Best Choice: Web Hosting
  • LiteSpeed + NVMe SSD storage
  • WordPress-optimized servers
  • Email, files, and CDN included
4.7
Learn More My Review

Overview: Incredible power without the headache. It runs Empire Forged end‑to‑end, from the main site to email and files, without needing a “tech guy” in the background. Optimized servers, LiteSpeed, and SSD storage keep pages loading fast even as traffic climbs, so your site feels like a real business from day one—not a hobby blog that chokes the second people show up.

Pricing: Starts at $2.99/month for basic WordPress hosting. Business plan at $3.99/month includes priority support and daily backups.

My Take: The foundation everything else sits on—fast, scalable, and simple enough that beginners can actually use it. Most hosting companies either nickel-and-dime you with add-ons or bury you in technical complexity. Hostinger gives you enterprise-grade infrastructure without the enterprise headache. LiteSpeed caching is built in, not bolted on. Email hosting is included, so you’re not juggling three different services to get your business online. The control panel is clean and beginner-friendly, but it doesn’t baby you—it gives you real access when you need it. This is the hosting setup that lets you focus on building your empire, not troubleshooting server configs at 2 AM.

Pros

  • Stupid-fast LiteSpeed servers
  • Email + file hosting included
  • Actually affordable pricing
  • Clean control panel for beginners
  • Scales without breaking a sweat

Cons

  • Upsells during checkout
  • Renewal prices jump after Year 1
  • Support can be hit or miss
  • Limited advanced server configs
  • Migration isn’t fully automated

Product

Speed

LiteSpeed + NVMe SSD storage keeps your WordPress site loading fast, even as traffic scales. No performance bottlenecks from cheap hosting.

Pricing

Starting under $4/month with email, files, and CDN included. Renewal prices go up after Year 1, but still competitive compared to alternatives.

Ease of Use

Clean control panel designed for beginners who don’t want to be babied. You get real access to what matters without drowning in server configs.

Features

WordPress optimization, daily backups, email hosting, CDN, and staging environments. Everything you need bundled in one place—no nickel-and-diming.

Support

24/7 live chat available, but response quality varies. Knowledge base is solid for DIY troubleshooting.

Read My Review

Once you have a place for your site to live, you need to build the structure.

WordPress Core Theme

Kadence WP

2

Best Choice: WordPress Core Theme
  • Design library with 300+ starter templates
  • Block-based builder (no vendor bloat)
  • Works with any builder + plugins
4.7
Learn More My Review

Overview: The design system for people who actually want to build, not tinker. Kadence gives you a professional-looking site without needing to be a designer or hiring one. The starter templates aren’t generic WordPress garbage—they’re clean, modern, and built for speed. The block editor is native WordPress, so you’re not locked into proprietary builder hell like other third party vendors. You can drag, drop, and customize without writing code, but if you want to go deeper, nothing stops you.

Pricing: Free version covers 90% of what most people need. Pro starts at $99/year (lifetime available). Includes unlimited sites and full design library access.

My Take: This is the theme that runs Empire Forged, so I’m biased—but that’s the point. I don’t recommend things I wouldn’t use myself. Most WordPress themes are either too limiting or too bloated. Kadence hits the sweet spot: flexible enough for advanced users, simple enough that beginners won’t get lost. The design library means you’re not starting from a blank page, and the block system means you’re building on WordPress core, not some proprietary mess. If you want a site that looks professional without hiring a designer or learning to code, this is it.

Pros

  • 300+ professional starter templates
  • Native block editor (no vendor lock-in)
  • Lightweight and performance-optimized
  • Free version is genuinely usable
  • Active community and documentation

Cons

  • Some templates look dated
  • Some design library templates feel repetitive
  • Pro features behind annual paywall
  • Advanced typography controls in Pro only
  • Header/footer builder can feel overwhelming at first

Product

Speed

Native block editor built on WordPress core—lightweight and performance-optimized. Fast loading times with clean code that doesn’t bloat your site.

Pricing

Free version is genuinely usable for most people. Pro is $99/year (or lifetime option) with unlimited sites and full design library access—incredible value.

Ease of Use

Intuitive for anyone familiar with WordPress blocks. Powerful header/footer builder and design options without turning into a confusing mess of settings.

Features

300+ starter templates, design library, custom blocks, hooks system, WooCommerce integration, and global styling. Everything you need to build a real brand.

Support

Active community, solid documentation, and responsive support team. Not enterprise-level hand-holding, but more than enough for serious builders.

Read My Review

With a solid framework in place, now you can focus on the design and layout. 

WordPress Design Suite

JP Themes & Blocks

3

Best Choice: WordPress Design Suite
  • Design system built on Kadence (no weird conflicts)
  • Pre-built pages for content creators & personal brands
  • 430+ JP Blocks patterns for landing pages & content
4.7
Learn More My Review

Overview: A design suite built specifically for Kadence that lets creators and product sellers launch a legit brand site fast. JP Themes gives you opinionated starter sites for personal brands and digital products, while JP Blocks adds 430+ wireframe blocks for sales pages, blog posts, and opt‑ins. Instead of “Frankensteining” layouts from scratch, you’re picking proven patterns and swapping in your own copy.

Pricing: One‑time purchase starting at $199 for 1 JP Theme + JP Blocks Creator with access to updates.

Our Take: Kadence gives you the engine; JP Themes & Blocks gives you the bodywork and interior. The Discover Theme is what I’d hand to someone who wants an authority‑style site without turning into a full‑time designer. The layouts feel opinionated in a good way—built for blogs, content hubs, and personal brands—not random generic fluff. You still have full control via Kadence, but you’re starting from something that already looks like a real business, not a default theme.

Pros

  • Built 100% for Kadence—no weird compatibility hacks
  • Themes and Blocks aimed at creators, entrepreneurs, and product sellers
  • 430+ wireframe blocks for landing pages, blogs, and digital products
  • Huge time‑saver versus designing sections and page flow yourself
  • One ecosystem for theme + blocks, so design stays consistent

Cons

  • Works only if you’re already committed to Kadence
  • Unique Theme styles have a specific aesthetic—not for every brand type
  • Still requires you to bring strong copy/content—blocks aren’t magic
  • Smaller vendor than “big box” theme shops (fewer themes, more focus)
  • Documentation assumes basic Kadence familiarity

Product

Speed

JP sits on Kadence + your existing hosting. It doesn’t add heavy builder bloat.

Pricing

Themes are one‑time; Blocks is a license. Great value for creators who will actually use it, but it is an add‑on cost.

Ease of Use

Very plug‑and‑play if you know Kadence even a little. Beginners still need to learn how to swap content and adjust layouts, but they’re not touching code.

Features

Strong Themes + 430+ block templates focused on creators, but it’s not trying to be a “does everything” mega suite.

Support

Solo/lean creator shop: closer to the metal and focused, but not a massive support org.

Read My Review
Stage 2 > The Workshop

Creation of an Empire

Ideas are cheap; execution is everything. This is my production line—the specific tools I use to design, write, and publish professional work without a team. They strip away the friction so I can focus on strategy instead of fighting with pixels.

The Foundation is set. Now we fire up the production line.

AI-Powered Research + Browser Automation

Perplexity Pro & Comet Browser

1

Best Choice: AI-Powered Automation
  • Unlimited Pro Search with 10x citations
  • Choice of latest AI models (ChatGPT 5.2, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3 Pro)
  • Comet Browser for AI-assisted web tasks
4.5
Free Plans My Review

Overview: Your research engine and browser automation layer. Perplexity Pro gives you unlimited access to advanced AI models with real-time web search, 10x more citations than free tier, and file analysis capabilities. Comet Browser integrates this AI directly into your browsing workflow, letting you automate tasks, extract data, and interact with websites using natural language. Instead of toggling between ChatGPT, Google, and manual browser work, you’re researching and executing in one fluid environment.​

Pricing: Perplexity Pro is $20/month or $200/year. Comet Browser is currently in early access with Pro integration. Combined, you’re looking at a single subscription that replaces multiple research and automation tools.

Our Take: This is the AI layer that sits above everything else in the Empire Stack. Perplexity Pro isn’t just “better search”—it’s how you do deep research, competitive analysis, and content ideation without drowning in tabs and conflicting sources. The model choice (ChatGPT 5.2, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3 Pro) means you’re not locked into one AI’s limitations. Comet Browser takes it further by letting you automate browser tasks, scrape data, and interact with sites using AI commands instead of manual clicking. For creators and affiliate marketers who need to research fast, validate ideas, and automate repetitive web tasks, this combo is a productivity multiplier.​

Pros

  • Unlimited Pro Search with 10x citations—perfect for research-heavy work
  • Access to latest AI models (ChatGPT 5.2, Claude 4.5, Gemini Pro 3) in one interface
  • Comet Browser automation eliminates repetitive manual tasks
  • File and image uploads for document analysis and context​
  • Real-time web search beats static ChatGPT knowledge cutoffs

Cons

  • $20/month adds up if you’re not using it daily (but you will be!)
  • Comet Browser still in early development (expect updates and changes)
  • Requires learning how to prompt AI effectively for automation
  • Not a replacement for specialized research databases
  • Browser automation may break with site updates or anti-bot measures (unlikely)

Product

Speed

Instant AI responses with real-time web search. Comet Browser automation runs as fast as your internet connection allows.

Pricing

$20/month is reasonable for unlimited access to top AI models, but it’s another subscription to manage and justify with daily use.

Ease of Use

Perplexity Pro is intuitive. Comet Browser requires understanding prompt-based automation, but it’s more accessible than coding scrapers yourself.

Features

Unlimited Pro Search, file uploads, multiple AI models, browser automation, and Pro Perks. Covers research and execution in one ecosystem.​

Support

Perplexity has responsive support and active community. Comet Browser is newer with evolving documentation and support channels.

Read My Review

Ideas don’t pay rent. Finished work does. This is where you turn brain dumps, screenshots, and half‑baked notes into assets that actually hit “publish.”

Best AI Art & Media

Leonardo.AI

4.7
  • Generate blog images, product mockups, and thumbnails
  • Edit images in real-time as you type
  • Turn low-res images into high-quality graphics
  • Text-to-video generation for social content
  • PhotoReal mode for stock-quality imagery
Learn More
Best AI Content Creation

Anthropic Claude AI

4.8
  • Access multiple Claude models (Claude Sonnet 4.5, Opus 4.1, Haiku 4.5 for different tasks)
  • Usage-based pricing – Pay only for what you use via API, or subscribe to Claude Pro for unlimited access
  • Claude Pro: Unlimited access to Claude Sonnet 4.5, 5x higher usage limits, priority access during high traffic
  • Extended context window – 200K tokens (analyze entire books, codebases, or documents in one conversation)
  • Advanced capabilities – Document analysis (PDFs, images), web search, code execution, artifact creation
Learn More
Best AI Chatbots

Pickaxe AI

4.8
  • Build AI chatbots and forms with no code
  • Monetize your AI tools with built-in storefront
  • Custom API integrations (Actions) for advanced workflows
  • Knowledge base upload for domain-specific AI
  • White-label your AI tools with custom branding
Learn More
Stage 3 > Building Your List

Growth of an Empire

Social algorithms change. Platforms die. Your email list and community is the only asset you actually own. This stage isn’t optional—it’s the difference between renting an audience and building an empire.

The Workshop is producing high value content with ease. Now we bolt on the growth engines.

WordPress Email Marketing Automation

FluentCRM & FluentSMTP

1

Best Choice: WordPress Email Marketing
  • Self-hosted CRM with unlimited contacts
  • Visual automation builder for customer journeys
  • FluentSMTP ensures reliable email delivery (FREE!)
4.6
Learn More My Review

Overview: Email marketing that lives inside WordPress, not a SaaS platform you’re renting. FluentCRM gives you a full CRM, automation workflows, segmentation, and campaign management without monthly contact limits or growth taxes. FluentSMTP pairs with it to handle email delivery through Brevo (this is what I use), Amazon SES, SendGrid, or other SMTP providers, so your emails actually land in inboxes instead of spam folders. You own your data, control your costs, and scale without getting squeezed.

Pricing: FluentCRM Pro starts at $129/year for 1 site (often on sale). FluentSMTP is free with paid tiers for advanced features. Pair it with Brevo and you’re sending 300 emails a day for free per 2,000 contacts on their free forever plan—and when your are ready to scale plans start at $8/month.

Our Take: This is how you do email marketing without bleeding money to SaaS platforms. FluentCRM keeps everything in WordPress—your contacts, automations, and campaigns—so you’re not paying per subscriber or getting locked into someone else’s ecosystem. The automation builder is visual and powerful enough for welcome series, abandoned carts, upsells, and re-engagement flows. FluentSMTP makes sure your emails actually deliver, which matters more than most people realize. If you’re serious about building an audience and want to keep your costs predictable, this combo is non-negotiable.

Pros

  • Self-hosted with unlimited contacts—no growth taxes on your list size
  • Visual automation builder for welcome series, upsells, and abandoned carts
  • Deep WordPress integration (WooCommerce, membership, LMS plugins)
  • FluentSMTP ensures reliable delivery through Brevo or other providers
  • One-time annual fee instead of monthly SaaS subscription hell

Cons

  • Requires setup with an SMTP provider (Brevo. Amazon SES, etc.) but this is super easy and worth it!
  • Not as plug-and-play as Mailchimp for absolute beginners
  • You’re responsible for email deliverability and list hygiene
  • Limited compared to enterprise platforms like HubSpot or ActiveCampaign (but you don’t need all those bloated features)
  • Smaller template library than dedicated email marketing platforms

Product

Speed

Runs inside WordPress with no external API calls slowing things down. Fast dashboard, quick automations, and instant campaign sends.

Pricing

$129/year + Brevo’s Free Forever Plan beats the hell out of $50–$300/month for SaaS platforms with contact limits.

Ease of Use

Visual automation builder is intuitive, but you need to understand basic CRM concepts. FluentSMTP setup takes 10 minutes but isn’t instant.

Features

Automations, segmentation, campaigns, and deep WordPress integrations. Not as feature-rich as enterprise tools, but covers 95% of what creators need.

Support

Solid documentation and active community. Premium support is responsive, but you’re not getting white-glove onboarding.

Read My Review

Audience is vanity. Community is equity. These tools turn random clicks into an asset you actually own.

Best Email deliverability

Brevo

4.7
  • Email + SMS + WhatsApp in one platform
  • Marketing automation with visual workflow builder
  • Transactional email via SMTP relay and API
  • Free tier up to 300 emails/day for 2,000 contacts
  • Works perfectly with FluentCRM and FluentSMTP integration
Learn More
Best community platform

Fluent Community

4.5
  • Self-hosted WordPress community plugin
  • Feed, discussions, private messaging, and spaces
  • Built-in LMS for courses with progress tracking
  • Leaderboards, reactions, GIFs, and engagement tools
  • Fast, lightweight, no bloat—BuddyBoss alternative
Learn More
Best SEO Plugin

Squirrly SEO

4.8
  • AI-powered SEO goals and Focus Pages for ranking
  • Real-time content optimization (Live Assistant)
  • Keyword research + portfolio tracking built-in
  • Advanced Schema markup (Rich Snippets, FAQ blocks)
  • SEO audits, rank tracking, and competitor analysis
Learn More
The “Empire Stack”

The Tools of Titans

Proven tools trusted by millions. Built for creators who value execution over hype

Powering 15M+ Creators & Businesses

Still Have Questions?

Here’s what most people ask before they build their Empire.

No. Follow the stages. Start with Stage 1: Getting Started—Hostinger for hosting, Kadence for your theme, and JP Themes/Blocks for design flexibility. That’s your foundation. Don’t buy anything else until you have these three installed and live. Stage 2 and Stage 3 tools come later when you’re ready to create content, grow traffic and scale production.

If you can use WordPress, you can use this stack. Hostinger has one-click WordPress install. Kadence and JP Blocks are visual—drag, drop, publish. No coding required. The AI tools in Stage 3 work through simple text prompts. These aren’t enterprise platforms that need a manual. They’re built for solo creators who value speed over complexity.

Stage 1 (Foundation): Hostinger ($2.99-3.99/mo), Kadence Pro ($149/year or free version), JP Themes/Blocks ($199/year or free blocks) = ~$200-300/year minimum.

Stage 2 (Growth): Add FluentCRM ($119-239 one-time), Brevo (free-$25/mo), Squirrly ($23/mo) = +$150-350/year.

Stage 3 (Production): AI tools range $10-50/mo each depending on usage.

Start small. Scale as you earn. No one needs the full stack on day one.

Yes. The principles matter more than specific brands. Hate Kadence? Use GeneratePress. Don’t need Squirrly? Skip SEO plugins until traffic matters. This is my stack—proven and tested—but you build your own empire. Use what works for your workflow and business model. Just follow the stages: foundation first, production tools second, growth tools last.

Yes. Every link on this page is an affiliate link. I only promote tools I actually use in my own business. If something stops working or I find a better alternative, it gets replaced immediately. Your trust is worth more than any commission. I’d rather lose a sale than recommend garbage.

Start with each tool’s documentation—Hostinger, Kadence, and JP Blocks all have solid onboarding. For WordPress questions, the official support forums are extremely active. Most of these tools have free trials or money-back guarantees—test before you fully commit. You’re not locked into anything.

But here’s the real advantage: I’m actively creating courses, tutorials, and step-by-step guides for every tool in this stack. Blog posts, video walkthroughs, automation templates—real-world implementations you can copy and deploy. Everything gets shared in the Empire Forged Mastermind Community (Coming Soon), where you’ll get direct access to proven setups and other creators building with the same tools. You won’t be figuring this out alone.

Building My Affiliate Empire From Zero to $10k/mo And Bringing You Along for the Ride…

I’ve tried and failed at affiliate marketing before. This time, I’m doing it right—with real systems, no hype, and total transparency. Get my free Affiliate Starter Kit and skip the decades of trial and error I’ve gone through.

please use your first name
No Spam, Unsubscribe EASILY Anytime
(Built in public. No BS. Real progress, real setbacks, real wins.)

What’s included?

Everything you need to start building, writing, and creating—without the guesswork (or the BS).

Affiliate Marketing Workbook

The exact roadmap I’m following to go from zero to first commission in 90 days (so you don’t waste years like I did)

Affiliate Marketing Checklist

Every critical step so nothing gets missed (I’m using this myself)

Content Creation Checklist

Create valuable content even when the “blank page” feels impossible

Copywriting Starter Checklist

Learn persuasion and psychology to write headlines and CTAs that actually get clicks

7-Day Beginner’s Challenge

Daily action steps to build momentum (no overwhelm, no burnout)

Beginner Tools & Resources

The exact stack I’m using to build Empire Forged (WordPress, hosting, email, SEO) If I am using it then it is here.

Mindset Assessment Tools

Identify the mental blocks killing your progress before they stop you. Simple exercises to reframe failure and keep you moving forward when things get tough.

Planners & Progress Trackers

Stop wondering if you’re making progress. Use these visual trackers to see your daily wins stack up and keep your momentum alive, one action at a time.