Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Business Owners Grow Without Burnout

After 8 years, I'm changing the name of this podcast from How I Built It to Streamlined Solopreneur. Here's why. You can learn more at https://streamlined.fm  ★ Support this podcast ★

The first documented parachute jump happened in the late 1700s, when André-Jacques Garnerin just from balloons at “only” 2000 feet. He no doubt prepared for this moment, testing his parachute and doing everything he could to mitigate risk. Today, skydiving is a sport and a recreational activity, with a lot of safety measures and technology to further mitigate risk. Why am I telling you this? Because human beings are, by and large, risk-averse…so doing everything we can to reduce it is incredibly important. When it comes to launching a business, it, much like skydiving, is much less risky than it was 200 years ago. Part of that is the ability to create applications – and therefore launch software-based businesses – without code. That’s exactly what Karla Fernandes is going to talk to us about today. And she should know. She’s launched over a dozen native apps, without writing a single line of code. Top TakeawaysWhen evaluating business ideas, prioritize those that solve user problems and gauge interest through pre-sales and feedback from friends, ensuring a user-centric approach and viability.Use no-code tools for faster product development, which allow you to validate, test, and iterate quickly.With no code solutions, you can test multiple product ideas simultaneously without significant investment, helping to hedge your bets and validate ideas quickly and affordably.Show NotesKarla FernandesMillion Dollar Weekend by Noah KaganNative App: FigmaBravo StudioAirtable Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebMemberful: Get your free trial for at memberful.com/streamlined ★ Support this podcast ★

Today we have a good old fashioned feed drop from my friends at The Podcast Host, and their show, Podcraft. What really makes someone a successful podcaster? Is it a certain number of episodes, downloads, or reviews? Is it whether content creation has become their full-time job? Or could it be because they’ve been recognised with a prestigious award?That's what they'll discuss on this episode, and every episode this season. I hope you enjoy! Check out Podcraft wherever you listen.  ★ Support this podcast ★

I love shuffling poker chips. In fact, I love playing poker…but there’s a fallacy in gambling that can get you into a lot of trouble. It’s the fallacy of sunk cost. Basically, you think you should continue what is ultimately a losing battle because you’ve already invested some amount of money in the pot.The same thing can be applied to lots of stuff. Have you ever finished a book or a movie you didn’t like just because you started it? That’s the fallacy of sunk cost.And I’m happy to say that 4 months into 2024, I successfully avoided that fallacy with something that, in January, I was all-in on: my “Be Everywhere” Strategy.Show NotesMy Experiment with Substack and Being “Everywhere”Taking a bet on Substack’s Network Effect with Nathalie LussierWhy I’m Killing my MembershipPodcast Workflows Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebMemberful: Get your free trial for at memberful.com/streamlined ★ Support this podcast ★

I remember touring a Murano Glass factory on my honeymoon to Italy. Basically as soon as we stepped foot into the place, a man giving us the tour had us pegged. So when it came time to sell us something, he didn’t just ask us if we wanted to buy some glass art. He painted us a picture of a unique conversation piece that we can put in our home, to help us remember this time at the beginning of our marriage. To turn into a family heirloom for when we have kids and grandkids. He wasn’t selling us glass. He was selling us a vision of our future. And it worked like gangbusters. So how can we do that for our customers? That’s what Georgiana Laudi is here to talk to us about. She is the co-author of Forget the Funnel, a book that had a profound effect on my business – and today, we’re talking all about jobs to be done, research, and capturing the voice of our customers. Top TakeawaysUnderstand the "Jobs to Be Done": Customers aren't buying products themselves, but rather the solutions the products offer. Identify the specific jobs your product or service helps customers accomplish. Capture the Voice of the Customer: Conduct customer interviews to capture actual language and patterns from customer conversations. Continuous Customer Research: Regularly conduct foundational research every 6-12 months and ensure it's continually validated based on industry shifts. Show NotesGeorgiana LaudiGeorgiana on Forget the FunnelWhat are Jobs to be Done?Demand Side SalesForget the FunnelHow to be a Scrappy Researcher (to Actually Sell Products) with Becky Pierson DavidsonCopyhackersForget the Funnel Podcast Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebMemberful: Get your free trial for at memberful.com/streamlined ★ Support this podcast ★

Exploring the evolution of tools from a family toolbox to digital apps. Discussing podcast workflows and when to change processes. Highlighting tools like Notion, Riverside.fm, Descript, and more for productivity. Sharing insights on maximizing productivity with tools like Stream Deck and Calendly.

The podcast discusses rethinking our relationship with time and money, the importance of recognizing life seasons, the difference between revenue and profit, and the magic of doing $10,000 per hour work. It explores setting boundaries in hustle culture, prioritizing time freedom over financial gain, and maximizing efficiency in business. The perpetual pursuit of success and engaging with listeners through different platforms are also covered.

What do you want your life to look like? Last week I talked about how not being intentional is kind of like driving a car without the GPS. But goal setting without knowing what you want – that’s a bit like driving a car without having a destination in mind. Well, today, Tanya Alvarez is going to help us figure out the destination – you can think of her as your own GPS. And much like that Google Maps car, she’s well-traveled and has a ton of experience to back up her advice – from funding her first startup with credit cards to completing a Half Ironman and traveling to 42 countries, she’s done it all. And now she wants to help you do it too, by sharing her system for prioritizing your goals.Top TakeawaysTake the time to define and rank your personal values. Understand how these values shape your goals and prioritize them to ensure alignment with your desired outcomes.View your goals as hypotheses and break them down into manageable time frames. This approach provides flexibility for adjustments while promoting focused and effective work periods.When faced with multiple business ideas or tasks, evaluate them based on effort, impact, and activity categories. This can help you understand your capacity and prioritize tasks effectively.Show NotesTanya Alvarez Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebGo to http://porkbun.com/HowIBuiltIt24 to get $1 off your next desired domain name at Porkbun! ★ Support this podcast ★

Not being intentional in your business is a bit like getting in your car and driving without the GPS. Sure…you generally know where you’re going. But what if a road is closed? What if there’s avoidable traffic? A GPS can help you navigate around those things.When you’re intentional about your business, you go from wandering aimlessly, taking any work that makes ends meet, to setting and achieving your goals. And today, I’m going to talk about how I’m being more intentional in my business, and why that decision has led me to end my membership.Top TakeawaysTake the time to identify tasks that provide the best returns on your time investment. Focus on work that aligns with your income goals and brings you closer to achieving your business objectives.Take control of your schedule by tracking your time and evaluating the effectiveness of your tasks. Use tools like time tracking apps to make data-driven decisions and maximize your productivity.Reflect on your business goals and values, and make decisions that align with them. Ensure that your business endeavors are in sync with what matters most to you and contribute to your overall happiness and success. Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebGo to http://porkbun.com/HowIBuiltIt24 to get $1 off your next desired domain name at Porkbun! ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you really need social media to build a following? To build expertise? To be successful? It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. I think lots of creators are too. The rote advice that you see from the ultra successful people just doesn’t work for most of us. And it doesn’t have to. What if I told you there was a better way. As it turns out, today’s guest, my friend and Amazon best selling author of the book start a binge-worthy podcast, Krystal Proffitt, agree: starting a podcast is a great way to build your business. In today’s conversation, we talk about why podcasting is the best way to build expertise and trust, why there aren’t too many podcasts, and how you can start a successful one. Plus, in the pro show, we talk all about how to do interviews the right way. Top TakeawaysPodcasts are a great, intimate way to get your content in the hands of your ideal audience. And, as Seth Godin put it, they are the generous act of showing up. You differentiate your podcast by making sure your audience feels seen and heard. This could (and should) be through relatable stories, and by engaging with them through feedback. The first thing you should think about, before you every consider which mic to buy, is what’s your message? Without a message, you don’t have a podcast. Show NotesKrystal ProffittMy interview with Krystal on Podcast AutomationAmy Porterfield Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebGo to http://porkbun.com/HowIBuiltIt24 to get $1 off your next desired domain name at Porkbun! ★ Support this podcast ★