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Running a business can feel a lot like working on a puzzle.

You’ve got pieces everywhere — ideas, tools, workflows, client needs — and you know they’re supposed to fit together… but sometimes the picture just doesn’t feel complete.

With National Puzzle Day coming up, I’m leaning into one of my favorite metaphors and breaking down how puzzles and business are surprisingly similar — especially for solopreneurs navigating the messy middle of growth.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• Why January can feel overwhelming (even when nothing is “wrong”)
• A simple PUZZLE framework to help you figure out what’s missing
• Three different ways people naturally approach building a business
• Why support systems don’t replace your thinking — they protect your progress
• How to stop feeling scattered and start placing the right next piece

If your business feels heavy, incomplete, or just slightly off right now, this episode will help you zoom out, get grounded, and move forward with more clarity.

ICYMI
Ep 140: No Man's Land: Why the Messy Middle Isn't the End of Your Fairytale

🎁 17hats Giveaway (through January 25, 2026)
If leads, contracts, invoices, or client follow-up feel heavier than they should, this is a great time to explore what better backend support could look like.
Details & enter here.

🧩 Completing the Puzzle Subscription
Looking for a fun, low-pressure way to unwind?
A subscription with Completing the Puzzle could be a great fit! They send you a puzzle, you enjoy it, send it back, and move on to the next one (no clutter, no stacks collecting dust).
Use code FAIRYTALE for $6 off your first month.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the systems running your business are actually helping—or quietly making things heavier—this might be a good place to start. I offer backend systems audits for both 17hats and Flodesk that review what’s working, what’s fragile, and what deserves your attention next. Learn more at kristenlettini.com/audits.