The Aspiring Solopreneur

Ever wonder which tools and services you actually need as a solopreneur, and which ones are just shiny distractions? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe revisit one of the most debated sections of their book, Solopreneur Business For Dummies: setting up your company’s tools and services. From creating rock-solid SOPs to knowing when to outsource, to avoiding the dreaded “tool overload,” they break down how to make smarter choices that actually save you time. Plus, they share how AI can help today (and where it still falls short). If you’ve ever felt stuck between doing it all yourself, hiring help, or buying yet another app, you won’t want to miss this conversation.Three Episode TakeawaysShould I outsource tasks as a solopreneur or keep doing everything myself? You don’t need employees to be a solopreneur, but you also don’t have to do everything alone. Outsourcing to contractors or companies for specific tasks can save time and prevent burnout. The key is to outsource before you’re desperate. This way, you have time to properly train someone and set up processes that work.How do I know which tools are worth paying for? Start by identifying the specific problem you want to solve, then choose tools that are simple, affordable, and easy to integrate with your current setup. Avoid chasing “shiny objects” that solve problems you don’t even have yet. Use free trials strategically and actually test them on a real task during the trial period, and start with monthly payments until you’re confident it’s a good fit.What should come first: documenting processes or finding tools and services? Always start with documenting your processes in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs). If you try to outsource or automate a broken process, you’ll only make the problems bigger. SOPs give you a clear, repeatable checklist that works whether you do it yourself, hand it off to someone else, or use a tool to automate it. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Think of onboarding like a marriage: you don’t stop showing up once the vows (or the sale) are made. In this episode, they unpack why onboarding is the delight phase of the buyer’s journey, how to prevent buyer’s remorse, and the small but powerful touches that turn customers into lifelong fans (and evangelists). If you’ve ever wondered how to make sure your clients feel like they “married the right business,” this one’s for you.A Few Q&As From The EpisodeWhy is onboarding such a critical step after a sale? Answer: Because the sale isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting point of the customer relationship. Onboarding reassures buyers they made the right decision, prevents buyer’s remorse, sets clear expectations, and begins building long-term trust.What are some simple ways solopreneurs can make onboarding effective?Answer: Start with a warm welcome, whether it’s a personalized email, a short video, or even a handwritten note. Follow up with clear next steps, resources, or tutorials to help customers get value quickly. The key is making clients feel seen, supported, and confident right away.How does great onboarding impact future sales and referrals?Answer: Thoughtful onboarding turns new customers into fans and fans into evangelists. When clients feel cared for and successful with your product or service, they’re far more likely to renew, upgrade, or tell their friends about you, which makes lead generation and sales much easier down the line. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Sales doesn’t have to feel slimy or stressful. In fact, when you treat it as service, selling becomes a natural extension of helping people. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the planning side of sales for solopreneurs, from understanding levels of touch to qualifying leads and nailing your quick pitch. If the thought of selling makes you cringe, this conversation will help you rethink the process and build a sales plan that actually feels good.Important Questions Answered In This EpisodeHow can solopreneurs approach sales without feeling sleazy? By reframing sales as service. Instead of trying to push a product, focus on finding people who have problems you can genuinely solve. When you approach conversations with the goal of helping rather than selling, it becomes natural, authentic, and far less intimidating, even for introverts.What does “level of touch” mean in sales planning? The level of touch refers to how much interaction you have with a potential customer. High-touch sales involve more personal engagement, like coaching calls or consultations, while low-touch or no-touch sales rely on things like websites, emails, or quick transactions for lower-priced products. Solopreneurs need to match their sales process to both their offering and the time they can realistically invest.Why is qualifying leads so important? Not every prospect is worth your time. By qualifying leads, making sure they have a problem you can solve, the authority to make a decision, and the budget to buy, you avoid wasting hours chasing “tire kickers.” A simple system for filtering leads upfront saves time, energy, and frustration later on. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

After nine years of collaborating virtually, Carly and Joe finally met face-to-face at the INBOUND conference in San Francisco. The sessions were buzzing with AI talk, but Carly and Joe zeroed in on what really matters for solopreneurs: marketing strategy that puts people first. In this episode, they unpack why human connection is more powerful than any algorithm, how trust fuels business growth, and why a solid strategy beats chasing every shiny new tactic. Whether it’s AI Engine Optimization or grassroots networking, you’ll learn how to cut through the noise and build marketing that actually works for solopreneurs.Important Takeaways From The EpisodeWhy is marketing strategy more important than tactics for solopreneurs? Because tactics change constantly. New platforms, AI tools, and algorithms come and go, but if you have a clear strategy, knowing who you serve, what your brand stands for, and how you build trust, you can adapt to any trend. Strategy is your foundation, tactics are just the tools you plug in along the way.How does AI impact solopreneur marketing? AI is creating noise in the marketplace, making it harder for people to know what’s authentic. The good news? That actually gives solopreneurs an edge. Solopreneurs have always relied on real human connection and trust to grow their businesses, and those skills are now more valuable than ever. AI can support your work by handling repetitive tasks, but it should never replace your strategy or your voice.What are the key steps to building an effective solopreneur marketing strategy? It comes down to five essentials:Build trust.Create resonance.Establish desire.Inspire action.Repeat the process.This loop ensures your marketing always stays people-centered, no matter the trends. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

* In light of the INBOUND conference taking place right now, we decided to re-release the biggest takeaways from the 2024 event. While this episode was originally released last year, the information is still very relevant to solopreneurs now, so be sure to tune in! *HubSpot hosted their massive annual conference that covered the latest trends and tactics in marketing, sales, and AI…and we had two people attend who are ready to give you the biggest takeaways from the event that apply specifically to solopreneurs. Co-host of this podcast and founder of LifeStarr, Joe Rondo attended, and our very own George B. Thomas not only attended, but presented multiple times. So you have some very credible sources sharing their insights today.From groundbreaking strategies to fresh perspectives on automation, AI, and scaling small businesses, this episode is packed with golden nuggets for solopreneurs who want to stay ahead of the curve.Whether you're looking for new ways to generate leads, streamline your processes, or take your customer experience to the next level, this episode has you covered. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Now that we're halfway through the Solopreneur Success Cycles series we're doing leading up to the launch of our book, Solopreneur Business For Dummies, we wanted to re-release the first episode in the series that gives an overview of what it is, so that new listeners can be brought up to speed. It also serves as a good refresher for those who are following along!Ever feel like you're building your solo business one guess at a time?In this episode, Carly and Joe pull back the curtain on the Solopreneur Success Cycle, the foundational framework behind their new book Solopreneur Business for Dummies. From defining your goals (hello, Step Zero!) to tweaking, refining, and reimagining your business as it grows, they break down the entire cycle designed specifically for one-person businesses.It's not a lecture, it’s a roadmap with a healthy side of real talk, laughs, and lessons you can apply right away. Whether you buy the book or not (but, like, you should), this series is your shortcut to building a business that actually works for you. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Your brand is so much more than a logo and some colors—it’s your personality, your values, and the story you tell the world. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive into what it really means to build a brand as a one-person business. From defining who you are (and who you aren’t) to crafting messaging that resonates, they’ll show you how storytelling becomes the foundation for every marketing move you make. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out authentically without feeling “salesy,” this one’s for you. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Most solopreneurs make the mistake of trying to serve everyone and end up standing out to no one. In this short and punchy episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive into one of the most overlooked steps in building a successful solo business: positioning. They break down why niching down isn’t limiting, but rather the key to charging more, marketing smarter, and actually getting noticed. If you’ve ever said, “My product is for anybody,” this episode will make you rethink everything.

So, you’ve got a business idea you’re excited about. But here’s the big question: does it actually work on paper, or will it drain your bank account before it takes off? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe break down how to test the feasibility of your business idea, spot potential deal-breaking showstoppers, and price your services with confidence (without letting imposter syndrome drag you down). If you’re ready to stress-test your solo venture before you dive in headfirst, this one’s for you. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.

Before you dive headfirst into your solopreneur journey, there are two things you absolutely need to nail down: your competition and your customers. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Joe and Carly continue the series on the Solopreneur Success Cycle and break down why “everyone” is not your audience, how to spot opportunities your competitors are overlooking, and why creating personas (yes, even giving them names and backstories) can completely change how you connect with your market. Whether you’re refining your niche or just starting to sketch out your customer base, this episode will give you practical insights to avoid spinning your wheels and start building a business that truly resonates. Okay, this might be the craziest offer we’ve ever made. We’re giving away a solopreneur platform that normally costs five hundred dollars a year…For twenty-five bucks. And not for a month, not for a year… forever.All you have to do is pre-order our new book: Solopreneur Business for Dummies.When we first went solo, we thought we could just Google our way through it. But the advice out there? It was built for startups with teams and money, not someone trying to do it all themselves. We kept thinking: “There’s gotta be a better way.”So we made one. LifeStarr Premier is the system we wish we had back then: the tools, the strategy, the community, all in one place.Go to book.lifestarr.com to lock it in.This deal goes away when the book drops, October 6, 2025, and it’s not coming back.Pre-order the book. Upload your receipt. You’re in. For good.