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
Dec 11, 2023 • 16min
End of Year Recap for 2023
2023 is nearly over, so it’s time for my annual look back at the year. In this episode, I will share my high and lowlights, what I really think about this weird year, and what’s on deck for 2024. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/
Dec 4, 2023 • 17min
Your Guide to Marketing a Service Based Business
There are two types of service business owners I encounter when I talk about marketing. First, there’s the marketers. They’re always happy to be testing things out in their own business. Then, there are the rest of the service business owners who would rather do anything but marketing. In this episode, I’m sharing my guide to marketing a service-based business, no matter how you feel about it. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/
Nov 27, 2023 • 28min
The State of Online Business Right Now (Fall 2023 Update)
The BS-Free Service Business show will be taking a break this week, and you can expect a new episode next week. This week, please enjoy a new episode of Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business, to celebrate it's kickoff! We wanted to start off this season with a state of the industry, a state of the nation, if you will, on what's going on with online business as we head towards the end of 2023. In this episode of Duped, we’re giving you a rundown on the state of online business right now and what you should be watching for in the coming months. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online.
Nov 20, 2023 • 18min
The Different Types of Support for Entrepreneurs
Do you need a coach? To buy a program? Or just a regular massage? Support comes in many different forms for our business, but do you figure out what kind of support you need? In this episode, I’m digging into the different types of support for entrepreneurs and how to figure out what’s right for you. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/
Nov 13, 2023 • 16min
Keeping Your Business Simple and Sustainable (A Check-In)
Simplicity and sustainability are the cornerstones of having a business without the BS and that works for you. But it’s far too easy to make plans and decisions that can overcomplicate everything. In this episode, I’m sharing six specific things to check in on before you start making big plans. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/simple-and-sustainable-business
Nov 6, 2023 • 11min
Leadership Fundamentals for a Successful Agency
Building a successful agency requires a lot of different skills. Especially leadership skills. But which ones do you need to focus on? Which ones make the most difference? In this episode, I share the top six leadership skills every micro agency owner needs. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/successful-agency
Oct 30, 2023 • 12min
The Growth Path for Micro Agency Owners
Every business owner knows that growth is never linear. Sometimes, it’s so far from a straight line that you wonder if you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, we’re looking at the messy and momentous growth path for micro agency owners. Learn more at: bsfreeebusiness.com/growth-path-for-micro-agency
Oct 23, 2023 • 15min
Myths of the Microagency
Like every business model out there, the micro agency is subject to a wide variety of myths that are total and complete BS. In this episode, we’re going to look at what a micro agency is and dispel four common myths. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/microagency
Oct 16, 2023 • 13min
Agency or Solo: What’s Right for You?
If you want to grow your service business, you may wonder what your options really are. Do you need to hire? Do you need a team? What’s really right for you? According to conventional business wisdom, there are only two paths to follow when growing a service business. (Don’t get me started on how this lacks nuance and is genuinely some oversimplified BS.) That’s why in this episode, I’m exploring what to consider when deciding whether you should stay solo or run a microagency. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/agency-or-solo
Oct 9, 2023 • 15min
Getting Real: Tough Truths About 2023
It’s been a weird year, and I know I’m not alone. Is it the economy? Is it something else? And WTF should we all be doing about it? In this episode, I will share my thoughts and some insights into what’s happening this year for so many of us business-wise. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/truths-about-2023
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