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 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)
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)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 14, 2019 • 35min
The Real Life Behind-the-Scenes of an Agency with Kate Ahl
Nothing, and I mean, nothing beats a real-life behind-the-scenes look at how a business is run. So in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media joins us to share how she's grown her agency, her team, and her client list. In this episode, Kate drops so much knowledge that will inspire you as an agency owner, or any type of service business owner, on culture, letting your team fly, and the realities of being the boss. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/kate-ahl/
Oct 7, 2019 • 15min
What You Really Need to Know About Building an Agency
New month = a new theme here on the Small Business Boss podcast, and this month we're going deep into the agency model. We hear about agencies as THE way to scale a service business all the time, but there's a lot more to it than hiring some people, getting some clients and being well on our way to multiple 7 figures. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what you need to grow an agency business based on my years of experience owning one, working in one, and partnering with many more. If you're interested in growing an agency OR already running one, this episode is for you. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/building-an-agency/
Sep 30, 2019 • 13min
Stop Sucking at Sales as a Freelancer
We all know the stereotype of a slimy salesperson who manipulates people into buying their product or service. And that stereotype is something many of us buy into as we sell our own services. We simply don't want to be seen as greedy, pushy, aggressive, or manipulative. So, instead, we fear sales, or worse yet, avoid selling at all. I'm here to tell you in this week's episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, that sales is a skill you must master, and you can do it in a way that's helpful to your potential clients. I'm dishing up practical strategies for streamlining your sales process AND getting rid of the stress for good. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/sales-as-a-freelancer/
Sep 23, 2019 • 13min
The Recap: August 2019
Nearly two years ago when I started doing recap episodes, I did it as a way to share what was really happening behind-the-scenes at Small Business Boss and at my content marketing agency, Scoop Studios. After all, aren't we all a bit tired of income claims and all sorts of other BS that's just smoke and mirrors? In the August recap, I'm sharing a peek into 2020 plans, how things are going money-wise, and how I need to get my booty in gear if I'm going to meet Q3 revenue goals. Get the scoop here https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-august-2019/
Sep 16, 2019 • 25min
FreshBooks' Matt Baker on Value-Based Pricing
When it comes to pricing, there's a million different models and strategies, and it can feel pretty freakin' overwhelming. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, guest Matt Baker from Freshbooks shares how to get started with value-based pricing, how to make sure you're pricing so you get paid appropriately, and why pricing should be something you experiment with. You can listen to the show on the Small Business Boss website on your podcast platform of choice including Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, OverCast and others. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/value-based-pricing-for-freelancers/
Sep 9, 2019 • 15min
10 lessons I Learned the Hard Way as a Freelancer
Back in 2005, when I decided to quit my job and start my own business, little did I know how much owning my own business would push me as a person and teach me countless lessons. As a freelancer, a lot of those lessons were hard, uncomfortable, and at times, incredibly stressful, so in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I share 10 lessons I learned the hard way. Consider this my gift to you as a boss — no matter where you are on your journey — to help save you the suffering. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/lessons-for-freelancers/
Sep 2, 2019 • 8min
The Freelance Business Model
Back when I started my business, we didn't have all the fancy lingo and versions of -preneur that we use now. You either owned a business, which basically implied that you had a brick and mortar store or an office somewhere, or you were a hired gun, a solo show that did contract work as a freelancer. Since then, the world of work has changed dramatically, and where I used to get a raised eyebrow and a look of skepticism when I shared what I did for work, now I'm met with far more respect and curiosity. The truth is, more and more people are stepping out of traditional work, and the idea of being the boss isn't so crazy anymore. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we're talking about the freelancer business model — especially the #1 thing you need to work on as a boss. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/freelance-business-model/
Aug 26, 2019 • 34min
Sarah Von Bargen on the Prosperity Gospel
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
Aug 19, 2019 • 12min
Stop Obsessing Over Scale
Newsflash: Scaling doesn't equal success for your business. There's a fundamental misconception in the online business world that scale immediately means more money and that magically scaling up your business is the only way to meet our money goals. Plus, the very definition of what "scale" actually is, well, it's misunderstood. We need to stop chasing scale, and focus in on what most of us really want, which is to MAKE AND KEEP more money in our business. In this episode of the Small Business Boss I discuss: 🔥The online obsession with scale and how it's actually the wrong thing for a lot of businesses. 🔥The path to making and keeping more money as a service business owner. 🔥The fastest way to be more profitable that you can implement starting TODAY. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/stop-obsessing-over-scale/
Aug 12, 2019 • 13min
The Recap: July 2019
If you've been around me for a hot minute you know exactly how I LIVE for summer. That means the July recap giving you the behind-the-scenes scoop of what's happening is really focused on a lot of deep thoughts and this one thing that's on my nerves. In this episode, I share what's up, as well as the question I've been hearing over and over for the last year that quite frankly needs to stop. Get the scoop here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-july-2019/
