
Staying Solo
Growing a solo service business is tough. It’s even harder when you’re bombarded with BS advice that steers you away from your values and why you started your business in the first place.
This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings.
Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in years, miss the mark on today's market realities.
Maggie Patterson, a service business owner for 20 years, understands that to stay solo, you need to know what matters to you, what works for you, and what you should completely ignore.
In each episode, she examines one piece of conventional business advice to discover how it may hurt your business or be completely wrong for you as a solo business owner.
Join Maggie for real talk to help you avoid burnout or the desire to entirely burn down your business to open a flower shop, book store, or cat cafe. (Because those cats won’t pay the bills.)
(Formerly the BS-Free Service Business Show)
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2022 • 59min
Duped Season 3: The Grift of Group Programs
**This week we're sharing an episode from Duped Season 3 for your listening pleasure.** Over the last 10 years, there have been countless ways that celebrity entrepreneurs have sold to us, courses, masterminds, memberships and so many more. These trends come and go, and one of the big ones right now is group programs. In this episode of Duped, we’re digging into all things group programs including the potential grifts of these programs that you need to know about right now. Learn more at duped.online

May 30, 2022 • 12min
The Truth About Trading Time for Dollars
Have you ever seen biz advice telling you to “stop trading time for dollars”? This is an all-too-common refrain when it comes to pricing your services, but there’s something about this advice that misses the mark — What does it actually MEAN? Because while it may *sound* like good advice at first glance, there’s way more nuance needed when discussing pricing. In this episode, we’re diving into the missing part of this conversation and what you really need to know about trading time for dollars. Get the inside scoop at smallbusinessboss.co/trading-time-for-dollars

May 23, 2022 • 14min
Secrets of Success From 17 Years In Business
There are lots of lessons on the path to being a successful business owner, aren’t there?But if there’s one lesson that stands out the most is that there's no singularly “right” way to create the business we want. What works for me may not work for you, and that’s totally okay! However, after nearly two decades of running a biz on my own, there ARE some lessons that I think everyone may benefit from.That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing my own “secrets of success” from 17 years in business. smallbusinessboss.co/secrets-of-success

May 16, 2022 • 12min
7 Mistakes to Watch For When Selling Strategy
Do you know how to sell your strategy? Maybe your offer isn’t quite right. Maybe you’re having a hard time selling it. Or maybe, you just don’t have the first clue where to begin. I know I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way when it comes to strategy. And that’s why I’m super passionate about helping people learn how they can sell strategy effectively within their own business. In this episode, we’re digging into seven mistakes to watch for when selling strategy along with a lot of actionable takeaways for you. Get the scoop at: smallbusinessboss.co/sell-strategy

May 9, 2022 • 11min
How to Write Better Proposals in 2022
Do you have a hill you’re willing to die on when it comes to your business? For me, that hill is proposals. As someone who works with creatives and consultants, I see a lot of confusion about how to sell their services. Sales pages are great and all, but not for every service — especially when there are levels of customization involved. That’s why in this episode we’re going to talk about how to write better proposals in 2022 including what to include, what you may be missing, and the latest research on proposals that you should take into consideration. Looking for help up-leveling your proposals? Check out the Proposal Template Pack right here: https://bsfreeshop.com/products/proposal-template-pack

May 2, 2022 • 17min
VIP Days and Retainers: What’s Right For You?
If you offer services, at some point you’ve likely ruminated or waffled over which delivery model makes the most sense.Should you use retainers? Charge by the hour? Offer VIP days? And that’s not even including any hot new trends in the online business world that pop up and tell us we need to switch gears RIGHT NOW! That’s why in this episode, we’re digging into two popular delivery models and asking the question, what’s right for you? Get the inside scoop at: smallbusinessboss.co/vip-days-and-retainers

Apr 25, 2022 • 46min
Season 3 of Duped is Here! Questioning Online Business Practices
***Season 3 of Duped is here! This week we're sharing the first episode of the new season.*** While the words “best practices” are heard again and again in online business, do you ever take time to actually think about what they mean?Some of the best practices we’re being sold in the online space have been so normalized that they’re now business as usual — Which would be fine if they weren’t so damn SHADY. And that’s why now is the time to start asking questions. In this episode of Duped, we’re digging in to see how some of these “best” practices are actually serving us. Learn more at duped.online

Apr 18, 2022 • 24min
The Top 10 Awkward Client Moments (and How to Avoid Them)
Picture it: That moment when things with a client get super awkward and you want to crawl in a hole. And all you can think is… is there some way I could have avoided this?Awkward moments are just one of those things that are going to happen. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some steps we can take to make them happen less often. In this episode, we’re digging into the top 10 awkward client moments and how to hopefully avoid them. Get the inside scoop at: smallbusinessboss.co/avoid-awkward-client-moments

Apr 11, 2022 • 18min
Awkward Client Situations: What To Do When Things Get Sticky
Ever had an awkward moment with a client? Of course you have!Whether you’ve been in business for one year or 20 years, awkward moments with clients are bound to happen. Maybe they ghosted you. Or maybe they haven’t paid their invoice despite numerous requests. Or maybe they completely changed direction mid-project and expect you to go back and start from square one. Whatever your awkward moment may have been, the result is usually the same — you’re left feeling stressed out and not at all pleased with what’s gone down. In this episode, I’m talking about those awkward client moments when things get sticky and you’re trying not to completely lose your shit. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/awkward-client-situations

Apr 4, 2022 • 19min
Putting Sell the Strategy Into Action
Have you ever heard someone in business talking about strategy and wanted to roll your eyes? The unfortunate reality is that in the online biz world (and many other places!) people use the word strategy simply as a means to charge more money for whatever they’re selling. But we all know that not every strategy is created equal. Having said that, strategy is a GOOD thing. Strategy makes your life easier as there’s actually a roadmap to guide your work. Best of all, strategy is something you can actively be selling. In this episode, we’re digging deeper into Selling the Strategy and I’m going to give you specific examples to help you get into action. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/how-to-sell-the-strategy