1,000 Routes with Nick Bennett

Thom Van Dycke is a certified StoryBrand Guide and business consultant who went through a rocky transition from ministry to entrepreneurship in the midst of the pandemic.In this episode, Thom opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome and the initial struggles of securing contracts, to eventually becoming a successful coach for solopreneurs.(00:00) The importance of sales in business(02:00) Transitioning from pastor to marketing consultant(05:12) Writing children's books for an NHL agent(16:02) The role of networking in business growth(17:57) Adapting and improvising in business(21:44) The value of giving away knowledge(28:09) The two reasons why clients don't hire you(29:21) Marketing vs. sales: key differences(36:04) Having an abundance mindset in business(42:31) Balancing family and entrepreneurship--Follow Thom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thom-van-dycke/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/ Get my free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠: https://becomeadigitalconsultant.com/ 

Melanie Deziel is the co-founder of the Creator Kitchen, an author, and a self-described forever student who’s learned a lot in nearly a decade of building a business around herself.In this episode, Melanie reveals her journey from New York Times big wig to solopreneurship, opening up about the fear of quantifying her worth and navigating business propositions. Melanie discusses her pivot towards content marketing, the creation of "The Content Fuel Framework," and her mission to support undiagnosed autistic women. Tune in for raw insights on partnership diligence, the importance of genuine networking, and how embracing her identity has shaped her passion-driven business.(00:00) Going from journalist to solopreneur(04:33) The mental adjustment needed to evaluate your work's worth(08:43) Recognizing and leveraging opportunities(11:42) Intentionally pivoting while figuring out preferences and market demand(21:47) How to access the possibility of a partnership(24:06) Rebranding handicaps as superpowers(29:15) Measuring people by yardsticks that don’t belong to them(34:00) Giving yourself permission to do things that fill your cup(40:05) What Melanie hasn’t built, yet --Follow Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniedeziel/ --Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/ Get my free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠: https://becomeadigitalconsultant.com/ 

Erin Balsa is the founder of Haus of Bold, a content marketing strategist, solopreneur, and mother of three. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from SEO-focused writer to thought leadership advocate, the struggles of battling increased competition and dropping lead volume, and the ingenuity behind creating her on-demand course library. Nick and Erin talk about the mental toll of solopreneurship, the power of community, and the eternal quest to manage work and life.(00:00) What actually is thought leadership?(06:00) Riding the ups and downs of running a business of one(08:18) Juggling family and work when hitting a low(15:17) Why networking and finding support is crucial for solopreneurs(26:06) Supporting execution through people, process, and strategy(34:04) Understanding and helping others through coaching(36:59) What Erin’s planning to build--Follow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinbalsa/Subscribe to Leading Thoughts: https://hausofbold.com/newsletter/ --Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/ Get my free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠: https://becomeadigitalconsultant.com/ 

Bridget Poetker is Founder of Bridget Poetker LLC as well as Founder of Outside, a marketing consultant collective.In this episode, Bridget shares her journey from ad agency life to falling into tech marketing, the turbulence of layoffs, pay cuts, and finally taking a chance on herself to become a full-time solopreneur.Nick and Bridget discuss the frustrations of finding the right clients, the importance of recognizing the fit in initial calls, and the internal struggle of aligning personal fulfillment with professional expectations.(00:00) Unpacking feeling unfulfilled in previous roles(05:40) What led Bridget to entrepreneurship(13:45) When leadership’s lack of understanding leads to overwhelm(18:39) Big concerns about going out on your own(25:43) Prioritizing reputation, not brand(30:20) Embracing flexibility in work hours(35:11) The challenges of not feeling safe or appreciated(42:09) The value of collaboration and working with friends in an industry(49:59) Picking clients through shared mindsets (55:27) Building a client base through referrals and inbound marketing(59:27) Balancing professional and personal identity--Follow Bridget on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetpoetker/ --Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/ Get my free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠: https://becomeadigitalconsultant.com/ 

Jed is a writer, creator, and founder of Practical Prospecting, a consulting firm that helps startups create outbound systems that consistently generate qualified meetings.In this episode, Jed shares his journey from SDR to entrepreneur and what he's doing to overcome the anxiety and limiting beliefs that come with it all.--Follow Jed on LinkedInSubscribe to the Practical Prospecting Newsletter--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes NewsletterFree blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠

Justin Simon is a content distribution and repurposing consultant and the founder of Distribution First, a membership and community dedicated to helping burned-out marketers escape the content production trap. In this episode, Justin shares his journey from content marketer to entrepreneur and the challenges he faces while on his path to building a business he loves. (00:00 From Content Marketer to Entrepreneur (01:12) - The Reality of Going Solo (02:15) - The Content Repurposing Roadmap (03:42) - Layoffs and Finding Opportunities (06:14) - Building a Niche in Content Repurposing (14:07) - Ups and Downs of Starting a Business (16:32) - Iterating Your Service Offerings (21:04) - Balancing Revenue Streams (23:10) - Building a Membership Program Is A Ton of Work (24:17) - Defining the Membership Goals (24:54) - Launching the Membership (26:32) - Balancing Work and Motivation (27:51) - The Impact of Community (29:41) - Shifting Business Models (30:58) - Building a Sustainable Business (40:04) - Avoiding Overwhelm (45:33) - What’s Next -- Follow Justin on LinkedIn Listen to the Distribution First Podcast Join the Distribution First Membership -- Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter Free - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠ Work with me - Coaching & Consulting

Chris Marr has devoted thousands of hours to coaching individuals and companies from startups to 7 and 8-figure enterprises and recently started a coaching firm of his own to help others become truly indispensable. In this episode, Chris shares how his journey from entrepreneur, to employee, back to entrepreneur has shaped the way he approaches his work and his life. (00:00) - Discovering the Joy of Helping Others (00:56) - Launching the 1000 Routes Newsletter (01:15) - From Coaching to Authorship (03:04) - The Evolution of the Authoritative Coach Brand (04:41) - The Decision to Leave Impact and Embrace Entrepreneurship (19:08) - Building a Unique Coaching Business (23:46) - Acquiring the First Clients (29:44) - Ask For What You Want (30:37) - The Art of Networking and Reciprocity (32:41) - Navigating the Journey (37:44) - Building a Strong Service Model and Client Relationships (49:19) - The Essence of Coaching and Personal Growth (53:46) - Reflecting on Personal Challenges and Aspirations (57:20) - Future Plans and the Drive to Innovate -- Follow Chris on LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Buy the book: Become an Authoritative Coach -- Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter Free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠

Renee Frojo is a creator and independent content marketing strategist who helps founder-led businesses build brands that connect with people through content. In this episode, Renee talks through the route she’s carved from journalist to creator and shares the challenges, risks, and rewards she's experienced as a long time solopreneur. (00:00) - Finding Confidence in Past Successes (01:20) - From Journalism to Content Marketing (03:00) - The Art of Authentic Writing (04:03) - Exploring Influences and Authenticity in Writing (10:14) - From Food Blogs to Content Strategy (18:48) - Reinvention and Learning (23:56) - Exploring the Value of Building in Public (24:40) - Publishing a Newsletter (25:43) - Crafting a Good Reputation (27:19) - Focusing on Passion Projects (27:47) - Leveraging Networks and Referrals for Growth (30:04) - Transitioning from Client Work to Passion Projects (31:22) - Change and the Power of Asking For What You Want (37:25) - Financial Security and Pursuing Passions (40:51) - Building a Cohort and Future Plans -- Follow Renee on LinkedIn Subscribe to her newsletter 'A Good Reputation' -- Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter Free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠

Dan Sanchez is a marketing and audience growth consultant and the host of the AI driven marketer podcast. In this episode, Dan shares he used early buyer feedback to iterate on his offer and establish his footing as a solopreneur. (00:00) - The Leap (01:35) - From Sweetfish to Solo (04:19) - The Challenges of Remote Management and Cultural Fit (06:41) - A Vision for Content Marketing (08:51) - High Hopes and Hard Realities (13:12) - The Decision to Go It Alone (19:43) - The Early Days of Going Solo (23:29) - Pivoting Strategies and Finding Success (24:00) - The Turning Point: Landing a Key Client (24:52) - Keeping Faith and Professional Growth (25:30) - Perfecting the Offer (26:38) - Audience Growth Challenges and Pivots (28:26) - AI and Launching a New Direction (32:23) - Building a Tech Company (44:04) - Future Aspirations -- Follow Dan on LinkedIn Listen to the AI Driven Marketer Podcast -- Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter Free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠

Kaylee Edmondson has spent years as an in-house marketer and leading some of the most legendary demand teams in tech. Now, she is a marketing solopreneur and the founder of Demand Loops. In this episode, Kaylee shares how a cold DM changed her life and allowed her to carve her own route as a solopreneur. (00:00) - The Cold DM That Changed Everything (01:15) - Kaylee's Uncommon Journey in Tech and Marketing (01:43) - The Transition to Solopreneurship (06:52) - Facing the Layoffs: A Turning Point Towards Solopreneurship (08:41) - How a Coffee Chat Can Change Your Life (10:41) - Learning to Sell the Invisible (30:01) - The Evolution of Demand Loops (33:37) - The Joy of Impactful Work and Balancing Projects (34:19) - Exploring Revenue Streams and Personal Growth (36:14) - The Power of Building an Audience (39:21) - Creating a Legacy Through Demand Loops (39:59) - The Journey of Finding and Coining 'Demand Loops' (51:58) - Reflecting on Growth and Future Aspirations (01:01:56) - Personal Reflections -- Follow Kaylee on LinkedIn Subscribe to Kaylee's Newsletter, Looped In Learn more about Demand Loops -- Work with me: Learn more about my 1:1 consulting program. Free blueprint for Solopreneurs - ⁠The Digital Consulting Blueprint: 5 Steps To Acquire New Clients, Stabilize Your Income, And Capture The Value You Create⁠