Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
Staying Solo

Staying Solo

Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business

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 over 19 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)
bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 Staying Solo Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Staying Solo episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Staying Solo for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Staying Solo episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Staying Solo - Agency or Solo: What’s Right for You?
play

10/16/23 • 13 min

If you want to grow your service business, you may wonder what your options really are. Do you need to hire? Do you need a team? What’s really right for you?

According to conventional business wisdom, there are only two paths to follow when growing a service business. (Don’t get me started on how this lacks nuance and is genuinely some oversimplified BS.)

That’s why in this episode, I’m exploring what to consider when deciding whether you should stay solo or run a microagency.

Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/agency-or-solo

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - The Real Cost of Creating an Agency
play

02/19/24 • 10 min

Have you ever wondered what creating an agency costs? If you’re wondering if it’s the right move for your service business, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode.

In this installment of the 'Real Cost Of' series, I’m taking you behind the scenes and spilling the tea on the real costs of agency ownership, including the financial realities, the rollercoaster of leadership, and more.

Topics covered in this episode include:

  • Answering the common question of transitioning from a solopreneur to a micro agency.
  • The appeal of creating an agency and why the real cost is more complex than expected.
  • The shift from solo CEO to team leader and what’s involved.
  • Managing client expectations as you go from me to we.
  • What you need to know about the potential personal costs of agency ownership.
  • The highs (and lows) of working with a team.

For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Simplicity and sustainability are the cornerstones of having a business without the BS and that works for you. But it’s far too easy to make plans and decisions that can overcomplicate everything.

In this episode, I’m sharing six specific things to check in on before you start making big plans.

Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/simple-and-sustainable-business

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

The month of May is always significant in my business, and this year is no different as I celebrate a big milestone - 15 years of being my own boss.

In the last episode, I shared my first eight lessons, so if you’ve not listened to that, go back and have a listen listen. Now, we'll pick up where we left off and dive into number nine.

Get the inside scoop right here:

https://smallbusinessboss.co/15-insights-on-being-a-small-business-boss/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Many times we have ideas that can hold us back or result in bumps along the way.

In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, guest Andréa shares insights on things she’s had to revamp along the way of building her social media agency.

Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/social-media-strategist/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - The Art of Reinvention with AdeOla Fadumiye
play

04/22/24 • 26 min

Have you ever daydreamed about chucking it all in and leaving your business behind for something new?

While this daydream isn’t uncommon, it’s often hard to conceptualize how (or why!) you’d walk away from a thriving business.

In the last Exits and Evolution series interview, I interviewed fractional integrator and operations strategist AdeOla Fadumiye.

Adeola boldly shut down a business that worked for her as she wanted different challenges and opportunities.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

  • Why AdeOla shut down her podcast production agency and what led to that gut-driven decision.
  • What’s she been doing since sunsetting her agency and how has she figured out what’s next?
  • How consulting gigs have helped her clarify what she wants to focus on moving ahead.
  • Why she’s looking for a 9-to-5 role as she builds up her new venture.
  • AdeOla’s advice for anyone wanting to make a big move in their business.

For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - How I'm Really Planning for 2022
play

12/06/21 • 14 min

Is it just me or do you sometimes feel like December can be a pressure cooker of expectations to plan, plan, plan for the coming year?

Now, don’t get me wrong — I loooooove me some planning.

What I *don’t* love is this ridiculous and arbitrary demand on me that I must plan NOW.

Could be my rebel nature, could be the cumulative effect of things being really hard to plan in the midst of a pandemic.Whatever the reason, seeing people say we need to push ourselves to plan a whole year in advance so we can have the “best year ever!!” can be completely overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m really planning for 2022 to give you a real-world perspective amid the end-of-year planning frenzy.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/planning-for-2022

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - Sarah Von Bargen on the Prosperity Gospel
play

08/26/19 • 33 min

Money talk is a double-edged sword. As a business owner, we need to get comfortable with constantly having conversations about money, but what happens when that talk is misleading or downright wrong?

That’s what I’m tackling with guest Sarah from Yes and Yes in this brand new episode. We talk about the prosperity gospel, redefining success, finding happiness, and escaping the trap of a “fancy” life.

Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/prosperity-gospel

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - June 2019 Recap

June 2019 Recap

Staying Solo

play

07/29/19 • 12 min

It’s time for another recap. This month, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes of June 2019 and sharing all the ins and outs, ups and downs of the month that was. In this episode I share:

*Why I’m so twitchy right now about the agency and what my game plan is

*The big a-ha moment I had after a client asked for help on a specific project

*The new microsite we’re spinning out of Small Business Boss

*What I’m really thinking about VIP days and where they fit in my biz Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/june-2019-recap/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Staying Solo - End of Year Recap for 2023
play

12/11/23 • 15 min

2023 is nearly over, so it’s time for my annual look back at the year. In this episode, I will share my high and lowlights, what I really think about this weird year, and what’s on deck for 2024.

For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does Staying Solo have?

Staying Solo currently has 431 episodes available.

What topics does Staying Solo cover?

The podcast is about Freelancing, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Podcasts, Business and Freelancer.

What is the most popular episode on Staying Solo?

The episode title 'Escaping the External BS' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Staying Solo?

The average episode length on Staying Solo is 22 minutes.

How often are episodes of Staying Solo released?

Episodes of Staying Solo are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Staying Solo?

The first episode of Staying Solo was released on Mar 30, 2016.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments