The Aspiring Solopreneur
Joe Rando, Carly Ries
*Formerly known as Solopreneur: The One-Person Business Podcast*
Welcome to The Aspiring Solopreneur, the weekly podcast that dives deep into the world of solopreneurship. Join us as we bring you insightful interviews with industry experts and successful solopreneurs who have mastered the art of running their own businesses.
Are you a solopreneur looking for guidance on how to attract clients? Or maybe you're searching for ways to stay motivated and overcome the challenges of working alone. Perhaps you're even struggling with the intricacies of taxes and financial management. No matter what obstacles you face, The Aspiring Solopreneur Podcast is here to provide you with the knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice you need.
In each episode, our hosts, Joe Rando and Carly Ries, sit down with a diverse range of guests, including seasoned solopreneurs, marketing gurus, financial experts, and productivity specialists. Together, they unpack the secrets to solo success, sharing their personal stories, strategies, and actionable tips.
Learn from those who have paved the way before you, as they reveal their tried-and-true methods for growing their company of one.
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's SoloSuite 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: https://www.lifestarr.com/lifestarr-intro-for-solopreneurs
Welcome to The Aspiring Solopreneur, the weekly podcast that dives deep into the world of solopreneurship. Join us as we bring you insightful interviews with industry experts and successful solopreneurs who have mastered the art of running their own businesses.
Are you a solopreneur looking for guidance on how to attract clients? Or maybe you're searching for ways to stay motivated and overcome the challenges of working alone. Perhaps you're even struggling with the intricacies of taxes and financial management. No matter what obstacles you face, The Aspiring Solopreneur Podcast is here to provide you with the knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice you need.
In each episode, our hosts, Joe Rando and Carly Ries, sit down with a diverse range of guests, including seasoned solopreneurs, marketing gurus, financial experts, and productivity specialists. Together, they unpack the secrets to solo success, sharing their personal stories, strategies, and actionable tips.
Learn from those who have paved the way before you, as they reveal their tried-and-true methods for growing their company of one.
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's SoloSuite 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: https://www.lifestarr.com/lifestarr-intro-for-solopreneurs
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 7, 2025 • 13min
217. Don't Skip This Step: The Secret To Building A Solo Business You'll Love
If you’re ready to create a business that supports your life instead of running it, this is the episode you need. Carly and Joe dive into Step Zero of the Solopreneur Success Cycle: Defining Your Goals, and spoiler alert: it’s way deeper than “make money” or “gain freedom.”You’ll learn how to uncover your true why, build goals that actually guide your decisions, and avoid creating a business you secretly resent. From toddler-style questioning to "change charts" and accountability hacks, this episode is your blueprint for building a business you actually like.Whether you're dreaming, pivoting, or feeling stuck, press play before you plan another move.
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.
Aug 5, 2025 • 11min
216. Start Here: The Solopreneur Blueprint You Didn’t Know You Needed
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.
Jul 31, 2025 • 24min
215. Can Prioritizing Rest Grow Your Business? This Solopreneur Says Yes
What if building a business didn’t require burnout, hustle culture, or 80-hour workweeks? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, we chat with Amanda Bourbonais—copywriter, wellness advocate, and self-proclaimed OG Health-First Freelancer—about how a health crisis reshaped her definition of success and led her to build a thriving six-figure business…with plenty of time for naps.Amanda shares how to manage client expectations with grace, raise your rates with confidence, and why prioritizing your well-being isn’t just possible—it’s profitable. Whether you’re managing chronic illness or just sick of glorifying the grind, this episode is a must-listen for solopreneurs who want to thrive without sacrificing their health.
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.
Jul 29, 2025 • 11min
214. It’s Not Me, It’s You: How to Break Up with Problem Clients
Ever had a client that made you question your life choices? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive deep into the art (and science) of firing problem clients without burning bridges—or your sanity. From subtle red flags to graceful exits, they’ll help you figure out when it’s time to say, “It’s not me, it’s you.” Whether you're drowning in scope creep or stuck with a client who’s just not a fit anymore, this episode is your permission slip to let go and level up.
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.
Jul 24, 2025 • 11min
213. PR Isn’t Just for the Big Guys! Here's How Solopreneurs Can Steal the Spotlight.
PR might sound like it's just for celebrities and big brands, but guess what? Solopreneurs, this one’s for you. In this episode, we’re breaking down simple, doable PR strategies that can get you media coverage, even if you don’t have a press team, a bestselling product, or a household name (yet).We’re talking about how to pitch like a pro, what journalists actually want, and why the best way to get featured might just start with your inbox and a clear, authentic story. We even shout out our favorite PR expert, Simone Sauter, who gave us amazing insights a few months back.Oh, and did we mention? We just turned in the final pages of our Solopreneur Business For Dummies book! It’s officially out of our hands and available for pre-order. So yes, we're celebrating… and yes, we’re shamelessly plugging.If you want to get press without stress, this episode is your new best friend.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
Jul 22, 2025 • 22min
212. Confused by Instagram? This Episode Will Fix That
Think Instagram is just for influencers and avocado toast? Think again. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, we sit down with Sydney O'Brien, a rockstar Instagram strategist who built her business while juggling three kids under five and a military deployment (yes, really).Sydney shares why most solopreneurs are talking past their dream clients, the mistake you're probably making with your hashtags, and how to stop letting engagement (or lack thereof) ruin your day. From easy tools for beginners to the secret behind getting real conversations started in the DMs, she breaks down Instagram in a way that’s actually doable and even fun.If Instagram makes your eye twitch, this episode is your cure. Tune in and get ready to rethink your whole content game.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
Jul 17, 2025 • 8min
211. The One “Corporate” Habit You Should Bring With You As A Solopreneur
When solopreneurs flee the corporate world, “standard operating procedures” are often the first thing left behind—right next to awkward team-building exercises and passive-aggressive reply-all emails. But hold up—this is one “corporate” thing you do want to keep.In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive into the unexpected power of SOPs. From preparing for life’s curveballs to simply freeing up brain space for more important things (like remembering where you hid your coffee), they’ll share how documenting your processes can make your solo business run smoother, and maybe even grow faster. Whether you're team "ditch the docs" or already a checklist champ, this episode will make you rethink what it means to be efficient on your own.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
Jul 15, 2025 • 26min
210. New Clients, Steady Paychecks, and Enjoying the Ride: One Coach’s Daily Formula
In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, we sit down with Stan Ward, coach, author, and spreadsheet whisperer, who shares how it took him five years to develop a system he now teaches in just 60 days, how he turned his finances from chaos into calm, and why paying yourself twice a month might be the smartest move you haven’t made yet.Stan’s approach blends structure with soul, systems with self-care, and yes—he’s got a daily ABCD checklist you’re going to want to steal. If burnout has been creeping in or your bank account’s been throwing tantrums, this episode is your wake-up call.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
Jul 10, 2025 • 9min
209. How LinkedIn Sales Navigator Became Our Secret Weapon for Solopreneur Lead Gen
Think LinkedIn is just for job hunting? Think again. In this episode, Carly flips the script and interviews Joe about one of the most underrated lead gen tools for solopreneurs: LinkedIn Sales Navigator. They pull back the curtain on exactly how they use it to fill their events, build real relationships, and grow their network—without ever sounding salesy. If you've been hesitant about spending money on a tool like this, Joe’s breakdown might just change your mind.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
Jul 8, 2025 • 26min
208. Your Expertise Is Cute, But Can You Sell It?
Moe Choice, a solopreneur coach specializing in personal branding and marketing, dives into the real struggles and triumphs of running a one-person business. He shares his journey from burnout and bankruptcy to achieving over $50K months by redefining freedom and simplifying branding. The conversation emphasizes the importance of resilience, client focus, and practical skills for sustainable growth. Listeners are encouraged to engage actively, foster connections, and view success as an ongoing journey rather than a final destination.
