1,000 Routes with Nick Bennett

Renee Lynn Frojo is a writer, strategist, and former journalist who’s built multiple creative ventures—from food blogs to online magazines to a thriving content consulting business.In this episode, Renee shares why she’s walking away from one-to-one client work and betting big on herself (again). She opens up about evolving as a solopreneur, finding clarity through experimentation, and what it really takes to stay motivated when the initial spark fades. From a press badge in D.C. to building a food blog from scratch, Renee traces how every chapter of her career has uniquely prepared her to help others tell their stories—and now, to launch A Good Reputation, a new newsletter about building businesses with intention and integrity.(00:00) Intro(01:03) Getting traction on LinkedIn by breaking the mold(02:21) Why she stopped trying to be an “expert”(03:35) How Renee approaches honest writing(05:12) Writers she admires and what she’s learned from them(07:26) Going back to journalism roots(11:00) The turning point to go solo(14:06) Her first blog, Make It Like A Chef(15:42) Why 10K followers wasn’t enough(17:46) Selling Woman Born and entering consulting(19:44) Building a content business and evolving again(22:06) When discomfort means it’s time to pivot(24:05) The compounding value of all her projects(27:03) Launching A Good Reputation(29:31) Turning down clients to make space(32:28) Escaping the one-to-one “freelance trap”(34:08) Moving toward cohorts and courses(35:56) Making the leap (with a safety net)(43:00) Lessons she’d do differently(44:33) What she’s building nextFollow Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-lynn-frojo/Check out A Good Reputation: https://www.reneelynnfrojo.com/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Alice Lemée is a writer, strategist, and creator of Internetly, a newsletter exploring identity, creativity, and online business. In this episode, Alice opens up about the moment she realized freelancing wasn’t her long-term path, how she coined the concept of “Creator Gravity,” and why building something meaningful requires messy, unglamorous work behind the scenes. From a failed music internship during COVID to going viral on Twitter, Alice shares how she turned rejection into a full-time writing career—eventually building newsletters for top creators like Miss Excel and growing an audience of her own. (00:00) Intro(03:36) Discovering Medium and writing about scams(08:01) How a viral Twitter thread launched her freelance career(12:57) Landing early clients and building momentum(15:18) Creating value through curation, not expertise(20:06) The highs and lows of freelancing(23:54) Building Miss Excel’s newsletter from 50 to 392K(26:30) The power of relationships and personal brand(29:34) Launching Internetly as a creative outlet(31:58) Why Alice walked away from the digital nomad lifestyle(38:55) Coining “Creator Gravity” and building a new lens(46:03) The importance of commitment to the craft(48:30) Detaching from metrics and trusting the process(49:56) Letting go of a past identity to make room for what’s next(51:19) Building the Creator Gravity cohortFollow Alice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelemee/Work with Alice Lemée: https://www.alicelemee.com/Subscribe to Internetly: https://internetly.substack.com/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Devin Reed is a content strategist, solopreneur, and creator of The Reeder—a content consultancy and newsletter helping B2B brands stand out by owning a single word in their market. In this episode, Devin opens up about his journey from head of content at Gong and Clari to running his own business full-time. He shares the mindset shift that helped him overcome self-doubt, the moment he realized VP life wasn’t for him, and how he designed an intentional business with built-in client graduation. Devin also explains why clarity beats cleverness, how to build content that sells without selling, and why he believes content should be synonymous with credibility—not just clicks.(00:00) Intro(00:46) Starting Read Between the Lines(03:39) Building shows that break the mold(06:35) Why Devin didn’t go solo after Gong(09:54) The turning point at Clari(13:35) Starting The Reeder on the side(18:46) Devin’s evolving business model(22:54) The reality behind “passive” income(26:16) Why people actually buy from Devin(29:11) The one-word principle of mindshare(34:07) What category creation really takes(40:14) Why Devin ditched long retainers(43:03) Raising rates with confidence(45:26) Pricing based on real impact(46:05) What Devin’s building nextFollow Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinreed/Subscribe to The Reeder: https://thereeder.coCheck out Devin’s playbook: https://www.thereeder.co/courses/content-that-converts--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Jay Acunzo is a keynote speaker and storytelling coach to business storytellers & experts, helping them compete on the impact of their ideas, not the volume of their marketing.In this episode, Jay unpacks the reality behind his transition from working at brands like Google, HubSpot, and NextView to going solo. He explains why he didn’t “make the leap,” how he replaced hustle with systems, and how an offhand compliment from a stranger helped him realize the value of his voice. Jay also shares what it means to build a platform of impact, how to tell stories that stick without shouting, and why he believes the best ideas aren’t always the newest—they’re the ones people actually remember.(00:00) Intro(00:46) The “final boss” of podcast guests(03:39) From Google to solopreneur(04:29) Building a platform of impact(30:37) The frustration of PR pitches(31:12) Crafting a unique contact form(32:51) The reality of public speaking(35:21) The end of Creator Kitchen(42:38) The “final boss” of podcast guests (reprise)Follow Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayacunzo/Jay Acunzo’s Official Website: https://jayacunzo.com Listen to How Stories Happen: https://jayacunzo.com/how-stories-happen-storytelling-podcastSubscribe to Jay’s newsletter, Playing Favorites: https://jayacunzo.com/newsletter --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Chris Marr is the founder of The Authoritative Coach, a practice dedicated to helping coaches and consultants become trusted experts in the eyes of their clients.In this episode, Chris shares his journey from entrepreneur to employee and back again. He talks about how The Authoritative Coach started as an experiment, how he knew it was time to leave his job, and how he signed his first clients without even having a website. Chris also discusses the value of iteration, the importance of asking for what you want, and why he believes "figuring it out" is the real work.(00:00) Intro(02:16) The birth of the Authoritative Coach(03:28) Deciding to leave IMPACT(08:09) The importance of figuring it out(21:41) Acquiring first clients(26:25) The power of asking(28:25) The importance of networking(29:29) Building and monetizing an audience(34:25) Iterating your service model(36:04) Launching a coaching business(52:13) Future aspirations and business goals--Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theauthoritativecoachThe Authoritative Coach: https://theauthoritativecoach.com/Check out the book “Become an Authoritative Coach”: https://theauthoritativecoach.com/buy-the-book/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Sean Blanda is the owner of Gate Check Studios, providing fractional brand, content, and marketing leadership for startups.In this episode, Sean shares his journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, his experience as a founding marketer at Crossbeam, and why he ultimately chose to go solo. Sean discusses the creative exhaustion that led him to take the leap, the importance of adapting to shifts in marketing, and how his sabbatical-inspired newsletter helped him reconnect with his creative instincts. He also unpacks the process of landing his first clients, the challenge of productizing services, and why every solopreneur should embrace curiosity and velocity.(00:00) Intro(01:03) Sean’s entrepreneurial journey(05:21) The birth and evolution of Gate Check Studios(10:06) The Sabbatical concept and its impact(21:41) Exploring side projects and client work(23:19) The importance of curiosity and velocity(26:12) Navigating client relationships and market corrections(33:01) Productization and packaging strategies(37:31) Results aren’t enough, vibes matter too--Follow Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanblanda/Sean Blanda’s Official Website: https://seanblanda.com/Gate Check Studios: https://gatecheckstudios.com/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Ramli “RJ” John is the founder of Delight Path, helping B2B companies optimize product onboarding to drive growth.In this episode, Ramli shares his journey from working in-house to launching his own consulting business, how writing a book changed his career path, and the lessons he’s learned in solopreneurship. He breaks down the mental shifts required to go from employee to business owner, the challenges of pricing and selling high-ticket services, and why structured processes make all the difference. Ramli also discusses the balance between short-term projects and retainers, how he built his Eureka framework, and what’s next for him as he scales his business.(00:00) Intro(01:10) How writing a book changed Ramli’s career(03:30) The turning point for launching his own business(06:45) Overcoming the fear of going solo(08:20) The importance of runway and financial security(10:50) The biggest challenge: learning sales(14:15) Why niching down made all the difference(17:30) Choosing between short-term projects and retainers(20:40) Building the Eureka model for product onboarding(24:10) Structuring offers to avoid scope creep(27:00) The emotional highs and lows of solopreneurship--Follow Ramli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramlijohn/?originalSubdomain=caCheck out Delight Path: https://www.delightpath.com/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Andrew Capland is a coach and mentor of growth leaders, an advisor for product-led SaaS companies, and the host of the Delivering Value podcast. Andrew is on a mission to revolutionize his business and build a media empire.In this episode, Andrew shares his transition from a corporate role at companies like HubSpot, Wistia, and Postscript to becoming a solopreneur driven by passion and purpose. He also touches on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, dealing with not-so-great clients, and the stress of making it on your own. (00:00) Intro(01:00) From HubSpot to Wistia: Journey through high-growth companies(03:00) The realization of being in the right place at the right time(06:30) Transitioning from employee to solopreneur(09:00) The importance of separating business from personal identity(12:00) The moment Andrew decided to go solo(14:30) From side gig to full-time coaching business(17:00) Overcoming self-doubt and second-guessing(21:00) Learning to say no to bad-fit clients(25:00) Building a sustainable business by aligning with the right people(30:00) Embracing vulnerability and authenticity in business(35:00) The role of connection in client success(39:00) The importance of balancing mission and money(42:00) Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of solopreneurship(46:00) Creating space for reflection and strategic thinking(50:00) Looking ahead: Building a media arm to expand reach and impact--Follow Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Connor Lewis is the owner and creative director of Studio Lewis, specializing in B2B video ads for Series A and B SaaS companies.In this episode, Connor shares his journey from tax accounting to video production, the leap from in-house to solopreneurship, and how he scaled from $130K to $400K in a year. Connor breaks down the mindset shift from freelancer to business owner, the power of niching down, and the importance of building a community. He also reveals how strategic collaborations led to a Wistia sponsorship and why he’s focused on scaling beyond himself.(00:00) Intro(01:00) From tax accountant to video strategist(02:45) Transitioning from in-house to solo success(04:30) Learning the business of video production(07:10) Struggles of the first year in solopreneurship(10:50) The mindset shift from freelancer to business owner(14:25) Winning an $85K contract and scaling up(17:45) The power of collaboration and community(20:30) Breaking down video strategy for B2B SaaS(24:50) The impact of personal branding on LinkedIn(27:30) The importance of niche positioning(30:15) Building a scalable and sustainable video business--Follow Connor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-lewis/Connor Lewis Official Website: https://www.connor-lewis.com/Studio Lewis: https://studiolewis.video/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Aaron Reeves is the founder of Outbound OS, a solopreneur business that helps SaaS sellers book more meetings by providing them with proven frameworks and systems.In this episode, Aaron shares how he transitioned from working in-house to going fully solo, why he chose a membership-based business model, and the strategies he’s used to scale his community and revenue. He breaks down the challenges of pricing, the role of content in driving traffic, and how he’s built a sustainable business that gives him both financial freedom and flexibility. Aaron also opens up about the lessons he’s learned along the way—including the mistakes he made, the mindset shifts that helped him grow, and why he’s now leveraging his business with a move to Thailand.(00:00) Intro(01:28) From in-house to solo success(02:12) Building a B2C membership model(04:03) The power of community and engagement(08:26) Pricing strategies and overcoming challenges(24:11) Navigating subscription models(26:51) Challenges of cohort models(30:55) Building engagement and accountability(33:59) Outsourcing and leveraging skills--Follow Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-reeves-salesOutbound OS Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/outbound-os-community/about--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/