The Aspiring Solopreneur

If you've ever wondered how Joe somehow whips up a custom GPT for literally everything, from content creation to arguing with him when ChatGPT gets too agreeable, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Carly finally asks the question the whole community’s been thinking: “How is Joe doing that?” And this time, he actually shows us.Step-by-step.On-screen.In real time.Whether you want a GPT that writes in your brand voice, handles your workflows, or just keeps you honest (looking at you, You’re Wrong GPT), Joe breaks down exactly how he builds them: what’s easy, what you need to prepare, and what most solopreneurs totally overlook.If you’ve ever said, “I wish a GPT could do this for me…” Good news: after this episode, it can.FAQs From The EpisodeDo I actually need a paid ChatGPT plan to create my own GPTs?Yes. As Joe explains, GPT creation isn’t available on the free plan. You’ll need the $20/month subscription to access the “Create” option. The good news? If you use even a handful of AI-powered tasks in your business, you’ll easily make that cost back in saved time.What kind of “training material” do I need to upload to build a useful GPT?Think brand voice guides, examples of past content, frameworks you use, instructions you follow, or any assets that show how you want your GPT to think and write. More clarity = better output. You don’t need a huge pack of documents, just a few strong examples go a long way.How do I know what kind of GPT I should create for my business?Start with the tasks you repeat constantly or the ones that drain the most time: content creation, email drafts, lead gen messages, customer onboarding, proposals, social captions, etc. If you’ve ever said, “I wish someone could just do this for me,” that’s the perfect candidate for a custom GPT. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What happens when the Wild West days of early internet marketing collide with the deeply human side of AI? In this episode, Steven Sakach from aiCMO joins Carly to talk about blending empathy with innovation (yes, even in a world that often feels robotic and copy-and-paste). From his outrageous early-career bidding wars to his BLISS framework (Build Love Into Scalable Systems), Steven shows solopreneurs how AI can actually make your business more human, not less.If you want to use AI without losing your voice, deepen emotional connection with your clients, and build systems infused with purpose (and love), this is your episode.FAQs From The EpisodeHow do I keep my marketing from sounding generic when using AI?The key is anchoring your AI-generated content in your purpose, values, and voice. Stephen’s platform (and the approach he recommends) starts with defining your higher purpose — what you actually care about, who you serve, and why you do what you do. When AI has that context, plus your differentiators and brand voice, it stops producing “same-same” results and starts sounding unmistakably like you.How do I use AI without losing authenticity or connection with my audience?You deepen authenticity before you generate content. Ask AI to help you understand your customers’ emotional journey — what fears they have, what delights them, what frustrations they experience. Once you understand the emotional landscape, AI can help you create “surprise and delight” moments, strengthen connection, and design experiences that feel personal and human. Authenticity comes from clarity, not from avoiding AI.What systems should I build first if I want to grow but stay true to my values?Stephen suggests starting with BLISS: Build Love Into Scalable Systems. That means creating processes that aren’t just efficient, but kind — onboarding steps that lower anxiety, feedback loops that keep you aligned with client needs, and systems that consider impact on people and planet, not just profit. When you systemize kindness and empathy, your values show up consistently, not just when you remember. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

AI isn’t coming for your solopreneur job, but it will happily take your tasks. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down how to turn AI into the world’s most over-eager intern: fast, enthusiastic, occasionally clueless, and totally coachable. From using AI without losing your voice…to avoiding “hallucination traps”… to building a GPT that actually remembers what you told it, this episode shows solopreneurs exactly how to manage AI, not get managed by it.FAQs From The Episode:How do I actually ‘train’ AI for my business?”Treat it like onboarding a new team member. Upload or paste your brand guidelines, audience description, business plan, examples of your writing, and list of do’s/don’ts into a custom GPT. Then, add instructions that reinforce your tone, values, target audience, and preferred outputs. Revisit the training regularly, because AI can “forget” if everything stays in one long chat thread.What tasks should I delegate to AI, and which ones should stay 100% mine?Delegate:Drafting (blogs, emails, social posts)Research summariesBrainstorming ideasRewriting in different tonesOrganizing messy textNever delegate:Strategic thinkingTopic selectionOpinions or point of viewFinal editsAny part of your brand voice that requires nuanceAI can assemble the pieces, but you must decide what the puzzle looks like.How do I keep AI from drifting, forgetting instructions, or making weird mistakes?Use a custom GPT (not just one long chat). Put your recurring instructions directly into the system prompt so they don’t fall out of the context window. Reinforce boundaries often (“never use profanity,” “don’t use dashes,” etc.), provide examples, and correct mistakes as they happen. Think of it as ongoing performance management. The more feedback and clarity you give, the better it performs. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

In this episode, Luke Hessler gets radically real about losing everything and rebuilding faster using the only assets no one can take: mindset, skills, and relationships. We dig into personal branding for any personality (yes, introverts), the “one post a day for a year” muscle, turning your warm network into real leads (today), and scaling without employees by fixing fulfillment first and systemizing customer acquisition. It’s gritty, generous, and wildly practical.FAQs From The EpisodeI’m introverted. Can I really build a personal brand without being on camera all day? Yes. A personal brand is just your authentic offline reputation, online. If video drains you, lead with thoughtful written posts, frameworks, and slow-paced explanations. The people who think like you will prefer it. Pick one platform, post once daily for a year, and use simple content buckets (e.g., Expertise, Process, Personal). Watch engagement to see what lands, then iterate.I need leads fast on a tiny budget. What should I do this week? Start with your warm network. Make a handwritten (or spreadsheet) list of every relevant contact and call them. Offer a small “beta” program to a few ideal clients for free in exchange for a testimonial, a case study, and 1–2 introductions. Measure it like math: if 1 in 10 says “yes,” and you need 5 clients, make 50 quality outreaches. Don’t overcomplicate. Sort for the “ready now,” not convince the “not now.”How do I scale without hiring employees and avoid burning out? Fix fulfillment first. Ensure partners/vendors can handle increased volume so new sales don’t create churn. Then systemize customer acquisition (choose one core motion: landing page + traffic, affiliates, or cold outbound that sets appointments). Expect a short initial sprint (the jet uses 80% of fuel on takeoff), then automate/outsourcing what worked: repurpose posts, templatize outreach, use software or reliable vendors. Choose a sustainable cadence over heroics. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

If you thought SEO was complicated…meet its AI-powered cousin.In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the buzzword that dominated INBOUND, AEO (AI Engine Optimization), and explain what it actually means for solopreneurs. Spoiler: it’s not about gaming algorithms or chasing clicks. It’s about making sure your voice, ideas, and frameworks show up when AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini answer your audience’s questions.You’ll learn:What AEO really is (and what it isn’t)The small tweaks that help your content stand out in AI search resultsWhy clarity > cleverness in your copyAnd why human connection still beats machine optimization every timeIf you’ve ever wondered how to future-proof your visibility without losing your authenticity, this one’s for you.FAQs From The EpisodeWhat’s the difference between SEO and AEO, and do I really need both? SEO helps search engines (like Google) find you. AEO helps AI engines (like ChatGPT or Perplexity) understand and surface your content. While SEO is still valuable, AEO focuses more on structure, clarity, and credibility signals that make AI choose you as the source when answering questions. You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just start optimizing for both audiences: humans and machines.I’m a coach/consultant/service provider. Does AEO even matter for me? For most solopreneurs, relationships and referrals still drive the majority of business. But AEO is a long-term play. If someone asks an AI tool, “Who’s the best productivity coach for solopreneurs?” or “What’s the SMOOTH method?”—you want your name, content, or frameworks to appear. It’s not urgent, but it’s smart to start now so you’re discoverable later.What’s one simple AEO tweak I can make today? Add an FAQ section (like this!) to your website or blog posts. AI scrapes well-structured Q&A content, and it’s one of the easiest ways to signal authority. Bonus tip: use clear, direct language over clever wording. AI prioritizes clarity, and so do readers. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What happens when a bartender from New York gets hit by a car, and ends up building a $350 million real estate empire? Jason Yarusi joins The Aspiring Solopreneur to share how that wake-up call sparked his Live 100 mindset, a simple yet powerful framework for breaking patterns, building momentum, and magnifying results. From redefining success to fighting perfectionism, Jason gets real about how self-awareness, consistent action, and gratitude can completely reshape your life and business.FAQs From The ShowWhat exactly is the “Live 100” framework?Live 100 is Jason Yarusi’s three-part system, Break, Build, and Magnify, for creating lasting change. You start by breaking habits that no longer serve you, then build meaningful rituals through consistent, intentional action, and finally magnify your growth by inspiring others and compounding small wins over time.Jason talks a lot about self-awareness. How can solopreneurs strengthen it? He recommends honest reflection without judgment (notice how you’re showing up in moments of stress and identify which “version” of yourself is leading the way). Then ask: How would the version of me who’s already achieved my goals respond right now? Over time, that awareness shifts both mindset and behavior.What does Jason mean by taking action over perfection? Perfection is just a fancy form of procrastination. Jason urges solopreneurs to take one small step, because movement creates momentum. Every step reveals new information, while inaction keeps you stuck. As he puts it, “Most people think they’re jumping off a building when really, they’re just stepping off a curb.” 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

Change is inevitable in business, and staying ahead means future-proofing your strategies. Learn to spot key industry shifts and utilize tools like Google Alerts for efficient trend monitoring. Embrace diversification in your income streams to mitigate risks, and consider passive revenue as a safety net. The hosts emphasize using AI and automation to enhance productivity. Ultimately, cultivating curiosity and flexibility is key to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of solopreneurship.

What happens when your biggest strength, helping others, starts draining your energy?In this empowering episode, returning guest Leah Marone, psychotherapist and author of Serial Fixer, joins Carly for a heart-to-heart about why solopreneurs often fall into “fixer mode.” You’ll learn how to stop rescuing and start empowering, how to calm your inner critic, and how to set boundaries without guilt. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’ll just do it myself,” this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.FAQs From The EpisodeHow can solopreneurs tell if they’re a “serial fixer”? If you constantly jump in to solve problems that aren’t yours, feel drained after “helping,” or struggle to let others handle things, even small tasks, you might be in fixer mode. Leah calls this “micro codependency.” It’s not about bad intentions—it’s about overextending yourself in the name of helping.What’s the difference between rescuing and empowering? Rescuing means taking ownership of someone else’s problem; empowering means supporting them to find their own solution. Leah shares her favorite mantra: “Support, don’t solve.” That small mindset shift gives people their own reps while freeing you from unnecessary emotional labor.How can solopreneurs set boundaries without feeling guilty? Leah explains that guilt often comes from your inner pleaser, the part of you that fears rejection or judgment. The fix? Recognize that this voice is trying to protect you. Appreciate its intention, but guide it gently toward balance. Sustainable boundaries come from understanding your internal drivers, not ignoring them. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

You’ve got your solopreneur business humming: systems in place, clients happy, goals aligned...but there’s one crucial piece most of us forget: our own well-being. In this episode, Carly and Joe get real about the not-so-glamorous (but absolutely essential) side of solopreneurship, balancing your business and your life. From scheduling workouts like meetings to curbing doomscrolling and finding your community, they unpack the habits that keep you sane and successful. Because when you are your business, taking care of yourself isn’t optional, it’s strategy.Q&As From The EpisodeHow can solopreneurs maintain work-life balance when their business depends entirely on them?It starts with designing your business around your life, not the other way around. Schedule movement like it’s a client meeting, set clear boundaries for work hours, and implement repeatable systems so you’re not constantly reinventing the wheel. Remember: you are the business—so maintaining your well-being is maintaining your productivity.What can solopreneurs do to combat isolation and loneliness?Working solo doesn’t mean being alone. Join local meetups, online communities, or hobby groups to stay connected. Networking is also one of the most powerful growth tools for solopreneurs—you don’t need a million clients, just meaningful relationships that keep both your business and your mindset thriving.How can solopreneurs avoid burnout and decision fatigue?Repetition and routines are your secret weapons. Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for daily tasks, batch your decisions when possible, and celebrate your wins—big or small. Recognizing progress keeps your motivation high and prevents the constant “what’s next?” pressure from draining your energy. 🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for SolopreneursAre you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connectionThe LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thingTotal value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you? Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What if your dream of working from home and spending more time with your family wasn't just possible, but wildly successful? Meet Todd and Leah Rae Getts, a couple who went from having zero business or marketing experience to making six figures a month online. How did they do it? Desperation, determination, and a whole lot of smart strategy.In this episode, we dive into their incredible journey from network marketing failures to mastering affiliate marketing, launching their own course, and achieving true freedom. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of starting an online business, their advice on branding, lead generation, and automation will change the game for you. Plus, they break down the key to standing out in a crowded market and scaling without losing your sanity. Ready to build a business and life you actually love?Hit play now!Being a solopreneur is awesome but it’s not easy. It's hard to get noticed. Most business advice is for bigger companies, and you're all alone...until now. LifeStarr Intro gives you free education, community, and tools to build a thriving one-person business.  So, if you are lacking direction, having a hard time generating leads, or are having trouble keeping up with everything you have to do, or even just lonely running a company of one, be sure to check out LifeStarr Intro!Access LifeStarr Intro