Ditching Hourly

By Jonathan StarkBusiness

Ditching Hourly episodes

January 13Charles Miller - What Is “Good” Taste And Why Would Anyone Want It?
Charles Miller of Platoon joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss “good” taste, how you get it, why you might want it, and what to do when your clients don’t have it.
Links
Charles’ personal site » https://www.charlesmiller.com/
Charles’ portfolio site » https://www.platoon.studio/
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:11) - Defining Taste
(00:19) - Charles Miller's Background
(00:59) - The Concept of Informed Opinion
(02:20) - Developing Taste Over Time
(05:50) - Taste in Different Domains
(08:44) - Taste and Business Decisions
(16:42) - Client Relationships and Taste
(21:30) - Understanding Client Needs
(24:00) - The Role of Taste in Design
(25:28) - The Importance of Practice
(27:09) - Releasing Your Work to the World
(27:52) - The Role of Taste Makers
(30:11) - Balancing Client Expectations and Creative Vision
(34:36) - The Genius of Simplifying Complex Ideas
(40:07) - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
42 min
December 09, 2025Alex M H Smith - Understanding Value
Author of No BS Strategy, Alex M H Smith, rejoined me on Ditching Hourly to help define a very important word that few business people understand correctly.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome
(00:11) - Guest Introduction: Alex Smith
(01:30) - Understanding Business Strategy
(02:02) - The Misunderstood Concept of Value
(04:15) - Creating Value in Business
(07:55) - Innovating Beyond Traditional Value
(13:01) - Practical Examples and Market Research
(18:14) - Unique Value Proposition
(29:23) - Understanding Differentiation in Business
(29:56) - The Importance of Unique Positioning
(30:36) - Consulting Strategies and Unique Differences
(31:32) - Examples of Effective Differentiation
(33:23) - The Role of Specialization in Strategy
(38:30) - Embracing Weaknesses for Strategic Advantage
(40:53) - Balancing Specialization and Market Reach
(41:51) - The Pitfalls of Over-Niching
(48:28) - Rooting in Recognizable Categories
(53:20) - Conclusion and Resources
Guest Links
Alex's free resources » https://basicarts.org/welcome/
Alex's book » https://basicarts.org/book/
Alex's mailing list » https://basicarts.org/articles/
Alex's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/
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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
55 min
November 25, 2025Dr. J.J. Peterson - Finding the Balance Between Badass and Softie
Professor-in-residence at StoryBrand and host of the new podcast Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss how to strike a balance between authority and empathy.
And be sure to stick around to the end to hear J.J.'s take on AI's impact on professional services and how to avoid creating ‘louder garbage’ :-)
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:17) - JJ Peterson's Current Ventures
(01:11) - The Concept of 'Badass Softie'
(03:26) - StoryBrand Framework Explained
(06:20) - Empathy and Authority in Leadership
(08:42) - Balancing Empathy and Authority in Coaching
(12:38) - Personal Experiences and Coaching Styles
(16:05) - Communicating Empathy and Authority Effectively
(24:44) - Engaging Your Audience with Empathy and Authority
(28:06) - Controlling the Narrative in Marketing
(29:07) - Embracing Your Authentic Self as a Guide
(31:41) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
(40:52) - The Importance of Niching Down
(47:35) - Leveraging AI in Professional Services
(51:39) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Links
J.J.'s website » https://www.drjjpeterson.com/
J.J.'s podcast » https://www.badasssoftie.com/
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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
53 min
November 18, 2025Shachar Meir - How To Go Solo After 20 Years In Corporate (And What To Expect)
Solo data advisor Shachar Meir (ex-Meta, ex-PayPal) joined me on Ditching hourly to share the details of his transition from being a manager in massive corporate environments to becoming a successful solo consultant.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(01:05) - Shachar's Professional Background
(03:47) - Transition to Solo Entrepreneurship
(13:51) - First Steps as a Solopreneur
(15:59) - Landing the First Project
(20:25) - Facing the Challenges of Solopreneurship
(25:11) - Navigating the Steep Learning Curve
(26:17) - The Importance of Networking and Mentorship
(29:52) - Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth
(33:25) - The Art of Content Creation
(43:18) - Financial Stability and Client Acquisition
(51:47) - Final Thoughts and Advice
Shachar's Links
LinkedIn Profile » https://www.linkedin.com/in/shacharmeir/
YouTube Channel » https://www.youtube.com/@shacharmeir
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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
54 min
November 11, 2025Tim Dietrich - Lessons Learned from Decades of Surfing Tech Waves
(NOTE: this ep was recorded in October 2025, but I didn't get around to publishing it until March 2026. It was WILD listening to the AI portions of the conversation five months later - post OpenClaw.)
Old friend and self-described “workaholic” developer Tim Dietrich joined me on Ditching Hourly to share his journey from FileMaker freelancer to the undisputed SuiteQL expert in the NetSuite ecosystem — a niche so specific that the platform itself became his marketing engine.
We also dig into what happens when AI comes for your platform and how to think about the next wave.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:53) - Tim's Background
(03:02) - Early Career and FileMaker Days
(06:08) - Transition to NetSuite
(16:02) - SuiteQL and SQL Integration
(21:00) - Positioning as SuiteQL Expert
(30:03) - Managing Demand and Consulting Opportunities
(34:39) - Current Client Work and Scaling Back
(36:01) - The Rise of AI in NetSuite
(50:27) - Comparing to Other Waves and Platforms
(01:05:37) - Exploring Monetization Strategies
(01:22:31) - Future Trends and Opportunities

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
1 hr 33 min
November 04, 2025An Insider's Perspective with Pranav Kale: Jonathan Stark's Journey to Ditching Hourly
Big Idea archaeologist Pranav Kale joined me on Ditching Hourly for a reverse interview about my journey to the center of the solar system.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:39) - Pranav's Evolution and Current Focus
(03:01) - Jonathan's Epiphany on Hourly Billing
(06:26) - The Trust Fracture in Hourly Billing
(07:45) - Jonathan's Problem-Solving Journey
(16:59) - The Move to Rhode Island and Finding the Solution
(22:38) - Implementing Value-Based Pricing
(26:30) - Content Creation and Teaching Others
(30:35) - Understanding Business Personality Types
(31:08) - The Journey to Writing a Book
(31:56) - Transitioning to Advisory Roles
(32:37) - The Impact of the iPhone Announcement
(33:37) - Responsive Web Design and Consulting
(35:46) - Facing Criticism and Adjusting Messaging
(39:50) - Finding the Central Theme
(53:06) - The Importance of Differentiation
(59:53) - Concluding Thoughts and Advice

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
1 hr 1 min
October 28, 2025Joel Clermont - The Pros And Cons Of Selling Software Development As A Subscription
Laravel expert Joel Clermont joined me on Ditching Hourly to share how he and his co-founder run their successful dev subscription business.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction
(00:16) - Joel's Background and Business Model Transition
(01:54) - Launching the Dev Subscription Model
(04:47) - Marketing and Initial Success
(07:44) - Client Profiles and Demand
(11:19) - Managing Client Expectations and Scope
(18:58) - Onboarding and Project Management
(21:21) - Handling Messy Projects and Infrastructure
(25:06) - Client Capacity and Longevity
(26:47) - Exploring Client Sizes and Ideal Fits
(28:39) - Balancing Workload and Client Expectations
(32:06) - Ensuring Client Satisfaction
(34:47) - Managing Work and Time Effectively
(43:11) - Challenges and Downsides of Subscription Model
(47:54) - Marketing Strategies for Developers
(52:52) - Conclusion and Resources
Joel’s Links
Joel’s website » https://nocompromises.io/
Joel’s books » https://masteringlaravel.io/books
Joel’s courses » https://masteringlaravel.io/courses
Joel’s community » https://masteringlaravel.io/community
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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
54 min
October 21, 2025Eleanor Mayrhofer - Productized Web Design
Digital marketing strategist Eleanor Mayrhofer joined me on Ditching Hourly to describe exactly how she productized her web design services.
Links:
Eleanor's website » https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/ditching
Eleanor's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanormayrhofer/
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:14) - Eleanor's Background and Business Model
(00:52) - Straight to Non-Hourly
(02:01) - Starting a Solo Business During COVID
(02:44) - Initial Market Approach and Challenges
(03:48) - Developing a Productized Service
(04:25) - Current Business Model: Website in a Week
(05:31) - Client Interaction and Project Scope
(09:40) - Copywriting and Strategy Sessions
(16:31) - Handling Project Scope and Client Expectations
(21:24) - Marketing and Client Acquisition
(23:20) - Client Commissions and Referrals
(23:40) - Subscription Maintenance Services
(24:53) - Positioning and Target Audience
(25:53) - Overcoming Launch Procrastination
(27:11) - Client Collaboration and Revisions
(28:55) - Technical Setup and DNS Challenges
(31:25) - Post-Launch Support and Testimonials
(33:13) - Pros and Cons of Productized Services
(36:55) - Sales Process and Lead Time
(38:55) - Long-Term Plans and Project Juggling
(41:01) - Avoiding Boredom with Productized Services
(42:20) - Conclusion and Contact Information

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
44 min
October 14, 2025Erin Halper - Pro Tips for Building and Sustaining a Thriving Online Community
Founder of The Upside, Erin Halper, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share her pro tips on creating and sustaining a premium online community.
Erin's Links:
Erin's community » https://betheupside.com/
Erin's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:19) - Erin Halper's Background and The Upside Community
(03:19) - Challenges and Evolution of The Upside
(07:24) - Starting and Running a Community
(09:18) - Best Practices for Community Management
(24:08) - Pricing Strategies for Independent Consultants
(30:19) - Navigating Agency Subcontracting
(30:52) - Building and Scaling Your Business
(31:42) - Lifestyle and Impact in Consulting
(33:00) - Celebrating Wins and Community Support
(34:26) - Visibility and Positioning
(36:03) - Pricing Strategies and Market Shifts
(37:47) - Maintaining Boundaries in Community
(40:30) - Application Process and Membership Cap
(43:40) - Quarterly Open House Strategy
(47:18) - Onboarding and Member Matching
(55:26) - Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
57 min
October 07, 2025Coaching Call with Communications Consultant Lynn Safranek
Communications consultant Lynn Safranek joined me on Ditching Hourly to learn how to apply value pricing to an industry where the consultant can't control the outcome.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:11) - Understanding Upstream Contributions
(00:23) - Lynn's Background and Expertise
(01:05) - The Value Pricing Dilemma
(01:21) - Client Communication Challenges
(02:45) - Media Engagement Strategies
(05:01) - Defining Client Needs and Goals
(08:08) - Crafting Effective Messaging
(14:32) - Measuring Success and Impact
(20:42) - Leveraging Media Coverage for Nonprofits
(21:26) - Budget Autonomy of Communications Directors
(22:41) - Crafting Compelling Stories for Donations
(24:33) - Exploring Budget Scenarios for Media Hits
(26:03) - Creative Strategies for Media Attention
(26:58) - Evaluating the Impact of Media Hits
(29:21) - Developing a Comprehensive Media Strategy
(31:35) - Reverse Engineering Media Success
(38:40) - Thinking Beyond Traditional Roles
(42:35) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Lynn's Links:
Lynn on LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsafranek/

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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
Hope to see you there!
47 min