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 29, 2020 • 19min
Behind-the-Scenes with Maggie: A Mid-Year Check-In
It’s been a while since I’ve done a behind-the-scenes, so in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we’re taking a look at the first half of 2020. The wins, the lessons and some real talk about where I’m really at in this epically strange year. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/behind-the-scenes/
Jun 22, 2020 • 16min
Escaping the External BS
Want to build a BS-free service business? Then you’re definitely going to want to listen to this episode! In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I deconstruct some of the external BS that gets in the way. From pricing to online influencers to client relationships, we’re diving into it all. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/external-bs/
Jun 15, 2020 • 16min
Internal BS That’s Probably Holding You Back
When it comes to building a business, there’s a complete list of things that can stand in your way. But the ones we least expect tend to be the internally-driven ones, you know, the BS stories, ideas and beliefs we have that can keep us stuck and hold us back from what we truly want. In this episode, we’re unpacking that internal BS in detail. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/internal-bs/
Jun 1, 2020 • 17min
Building a BS-Free Business
Does your business feel simple? Does it feel sustainable? Or are you on a hamster wheel where you’re working too hard or like there are a lot of things standing between you and your goals? In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to build a BS-free business in three specific ways, and they may surprise you. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/bs-free-business/
May 25, 2020 • 15min
Business as Unusual: Let’s Talk About Finding Clients and Making Money
Do you feel stuck as you’re not sure what the future of your business looks like? In this episode, we’re talking about finding clients and making money in a period where business is anything but usual. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/business-as-unus…-finding-clients/
May 18, 2020 • 16min
15 Years, 15 Insights on Being a Small Business Boss (Part 2)
The month of May is always significant in my business, and this year is no different as I celebrate a big milestone - 15 years of being my own boss. In the last episode, I shared my first eight lessons, so if you’ve not listened to that, go back and have a listen listen. Now, we'll pick up where we left off and dive into number nine. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/15-insights-on-being-a-small-business-boss/
May 11, 2020 • 12min
15 Years, 15 Insights on Being a Small Business Boss (Part 1)
You’re helping me celebrate a milestone in my business, 15 years of being my own boss. And there’s nothing like an anniversary to make you reflect on how far you’ve come. In this episode, I’m sharing 15 insights from my 15 years of being a small business boss. This week I'm sharing the first 8 episodes, and next week I'll share 7 more. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/15-insights-on-b…ll-business-boss/
Apr 27, 2020 • 14min
Business as Unusual: Spring Cleaning Your Service Business
It’s springtime, and for many of us, that means we’d normally be busy cleaning all the things. And if you’re finding your business is a little slower than usual right now, it’s the perfect time to work ON your business. Spring cleaning your biz is like cleaning your house. It’s best to have a plan before you start pulling everything apart so you don’t end up with the job half done.So where to begin?On this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I’m sharing ideas on where to focus your efforts when spring cleaning your biz. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/spring-clean-your-service-business/
Apr 20, 2020 • 21min
Business as Unusual: What Learned About Investing in My Success By Spending $72,700
As a boss, you’ve probably heard that you need to “invest” in your business to reach your goals. But in this current financial climate, I wanted to unpack that trope and see if it was really true. Do we really need to spend money to make money? And when we do, are we going to get what we want? In the episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I’m taking a long, hard look at how we invest our money into our businesses, a walk through 12 investments I’ve made, how much they cost, and if they really helped me and my business at all. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/investing-in-my-success/
Apr 13, 2020 • 28min
Business as Unusual: Decision Making and Boundaries During a Crisis (With Shulamit Ber Levtov)
When things are unusual, it’s all too easy for our decision making to falter and for our boundaries to be shaky. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast guest Shulamit Ber Levtov walks us through how to deal with our fear in this unique time we’re living through. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/decision-making-…-during-a-crisis/
