
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

Feb 20, 2023 • 36min
DUPED SEASON 4: Coaching, Consulting and the Current Chaos of Online Business
*This week, we're sharing the first episode of Duped season 4 for your listening pleasure.* We’re back! And a lot has happened since our last season. In this episode, we’re digging into the world of business coaching and how things have gone seriously off the rails. Welcome to Season 4 of Duped. We’re back, and we couldn’t be more excited about what we have planned, as this season, we’ll be diving into the world of online business scams. In our first episode, we want to talk about how business coaching has gone seriously off the rails, along with a rundown of what’s happening right now in the online space. Learn more at duped.online

Dec 12, 2022 • 32min
The State of Ethical Marketing and Online Business for 2023
2022 is rolling to a close, and as I’ve done the last two years, I wanted to check in on the state of online business — especially as predictions I’ve made in 2020 and 2021 about ethical marketing and the use of trauma-informed language, along with other market conditions have come true. Here's what you need to know about the state of ethical marketing and online business as we head into 2023. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/ethical-marketing-and-online-business

Dec 5, 2022 • 44min
The Rise of Trauma Informed Coaching
You’ve probably heard of the term trauma informed, but do you really know what it means? And should you trust coaches who are trauma-informed? In this episode, my guests Nicole Lewis-Keeber and Shulamit Ber Levtov join me to explore the rise of trauma-informed coaching. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/trauma-informed-coaching

Nov 28, 2022 • 16min
Real Talk on Planning for 2023
Planning season is upon us. Love it or hate it, it’s a whole thing for us as business owners. In this episode, we’re going to get real about planning for 2023. My goal for you is to help you nail down what will make the most difference for you in the coming year and not get sucked into things that waste your time, money, and energy. This isn’t about hating on planning, but instead skipping the hype. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/planning-for-2023

Nov 21, 2022 • 45min
DUPED SEASON 4: The Racket of Recession Proofing Your Business
**This week, we're sharing a sneak peek of Duped with the kickoff episode of season 4 for your listening pleasure.** Duped season 4 starts now! And in this first episode, we’re going to look at the impending recession, and how celebrity entrepreneurs are now using that to mess with us and try to get our money. Learn more at duped.online

Nov 14, 2022 • 12min
5 Questions Every Micro Agency Owner Needs to Ask
No one starts a business, let alone a micro agency, thinking about the highs and lows, but they’re inevitable. Which is where this episode comes in, as I’m sharing five questions for every micro agency owner to explore. They may not be what you’re expecting, but I can guarantee they’ll get you thinking in a new way. In this week’s episode, we’re wrapping up our series for micro agency owners with five questions every agency needs to ask. Some of these may surprise you, and others may challenge you to think differently. Get the inside scoop at smallbusinessboss.co/micro-agency-questions

Nov 7, 2022 • 10min
Selling Strategy for Your Agency
Are you selling strategy right now in your agency? Do you feel like a thought leader or like you’re totally unappreciated by your clients? In this episode, we’re looking at the power of strategy packages for your agency. And the hidden ripple effect selling strategy will have on everything from your revenue to your reputation. Get the inside scoop at smallbusinessboss/strategy-for-your-agency

Oct 31, 2022 • 15min
What No One Tells You About Running a Micro Agency
When you’re running a micro agency, you're likely going to learn a lot of things along the way. Sometimes it’s surprising and other times you wonder if you’re completely unhinged because you’re learning things the hard way. No matter where you are in your journey as an agency owner, you’re going to want to listen to this episode as we delve into lessons and hard-won wisdom from my journey as an agency owner. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/running-a-micro-agency

Oct 24, 2022 • 7min
What is a Micro Agency?
Agencies are pitched as the natural next step when growing a service business, but is an agency right for you? And if you’re running an agency what do you need to consider as agencies aren’t one-size-fits-all? In this episode, we’re looking at the world of micro agencies, including what they are, and some data that may surprise you. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/what-is-a-micro-agency

Oct 17, 2022 • 14min
The Full On Facts About Finding Clients in 2022
Is your business a little slow? Do you need better leads? Or you’re just plain sick of the marketing you’re doing? This episode is for you as we’ll be talking about fresh ways to find clients, and why this is not the time to be relying on the magic of client attraction. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/finding-clients-in-2022