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
Sep 11, 2023 • 22min
Staying Solo: Using Strategy to Break the Income Ceiling
One of the biggest frustrations faced by service business owners who want to stay solo is that they feel like they’re eventually going to hit an income ceiling. If you’re not familiar with the concept of an income ceiling, it’s essentially when you can’t make any more money because you’ve hit the maximum pricing you can charge and the number of clients you can serve. So the real question we need to explore is if there’s really an income ceiling for service business owners. The truth? The answer is complicated, and that’s what we’re going to dive into in this essay and episode, along with some specific and proven ways to break the income ceiling. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/income-ceiling
Sep 4, 2023 • 19min
Staying Solo: What Support Do You Really Need?
Solo doesn’t mean alone. You don’t need to go it alone with your service business. In fact, you shouldn’t. But what kind of support do you need, and when? In this episode, we’re diving into just what kinds of support you need as a solo business owner…and it’s about way more than simply hiring a random coach or taking yet another course. Find out more at bsfreebusiness.com/solo-support
Aug 28, 2023 • 17min
Staying Solo: Rethinking Planning to Focus on Seasons
Most of us start our businesses for more flexibility and freedom, but somewhere along the way find that we’re trapped in a cycle of hustling. To stay solo, you need a realistic planning process that works for you and keeps you from chasing things that simply don’t matter to you. In this episode of the Staying Solo series, we’re talking about planning with a focus on how to do it in a way that actually works not just for your business but your brain and your life. Find out more at bsfreebusiness.com/rethinking-planning
Aug 21, 2023 • 22min
Staying Solo: Carving Out Consistent Space
Service business owners often think that the “service” part of the business model means they have to run themselves ragged serving their clients. Or that they need to work around the clock to reach their goals. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, we’re digging into the need for “space” as a solopreneur, what that really means, and why it matters more than most of us realize. Find out more at bsfreebusiness.com/staying-solo-by-creating-space.
Aug 14, 2023 • 23min
Staying Solo: Getting Your Salary Paid First
Too many solo business owners are underpaid (or not paid at all) as they fall into the trap of overinvesting in the business or pricing their services too low. And I’m not here for it. In this episode, we’re looking at the nuts and bolts of paying yourself a salary as a solo business owner as part of our Staying Solo series. Find out more at: bsfreebusiness.com/getting-paid
Aug 7, 2023 • 19min
Staying Solo: Your Framework for a Simple, Sustainable Service Business
Exploring the myth of growth equaling success, challenging beliefs that solo means playing small. Debunking myths about solo business ownership - income limitations, burnout avoidance, and personalized approaches. Introducing the 'staying solo' framework for sustainable business. Adapting to market changes in online business landscape while defying norms.
Jun 5, 2023 • 13min
The Summer Slow Down
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…summer! It’s time for fun in the sun, beach reads, being by the water, and living it up. And now’s the time to prepare for the summer slowdown so you can make the most of it. In this episode, I’m sharing practical ideas for ensuring you have a summer slowdown, including getting your priorities in order, taking time off, downgrading your marketing, and more. Find out more at: bsfreebusiness.com/summer-slow-down
May 29, 2023 • 46min
Does NLP Work for Coaching? What You Need to Know with Kathleen Oh
In this episode, we’re exploring the world of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and its use in the online business and coaching world, with a focus on what you, as a consumer, need to be aware of. I’m joined by Kathleen Oh, a coach trained as a Master Practitioner in NLP, to get her perspective on its problems and the potential for harm. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/neuro-linguistic-programming
May 22, 2023 • 16min
Sustainable Systems: Simple Sales for Every Service Business
Does selling your services stress you out? Do you wish you could skip it entirely and focus on doing what you do best? You’re not alone in that I know many of you hate making sales because it sucks up so much time and energy. In this episode, we will ditch the stress and get your time back by diving into simple sales for every service business. Find out more at: bsfreebusiness.com/simple-sales
May 15, 2023 • 13min
Sustainable Systems: Tame the Client Service Chaos
We’ve all been there. We’re overwhelmed and ready to burn it all down if one more client asks you one more question. It’s chaos, and you’re out of capacity for any of it. In this episode, we examine how sustainable client service systems can help you tame the client service chaos. Find out more at: bsfreebusiness.com/client-service-chaos
