Flying Solo

By Flying Solo

The show for those starting or running a one person business, hosted by Cec Busby. With over 100,000 members and stacks of resources, Flying Solo keeps you on track.... more

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How many episodes does Flying Solo have?

The podcast currently has 510 episodes available.

Flying Solo episodes:

June 25, 2026 From hustle to happiness: rewriting the rules for small business success
Declan Edwards is the founder of BU Happiness College, a positive psychology researcher, and author of the book How to Be Happy.
In this episode of Flying Solo, Declan explains why happiness isn’t just a lucky outcome or the reward for success—but a practical skill that anyone can learn and practice. Declan shares insights from more than a decade of happiness research, unpacks the myths around what truly brings fulfillment (beyond just landing the next big client or hitting a revenue milestone), and delivers actionable strategies so that solo business owners can build happier, more meaningful lives—without waiting for everything to be perfect.
If you’ve ever found yourself postponing happiness for some future achievement, this episode is for you.
Declan Edwards emphasises that happiness is not just a fleeting emotion or lucky accident, but a skill that can be learned and practised through evidence-based methods.
The concept of the "hedonic treadmill" (the "I'll be happy when..." mindset) traps individuals in a perpetual pursuit of future milestones rather than experiencing happiness in the present.
Declan Edwards built his curriculum around 75 distinct skills that can increase one's happiness, though mastering all is not necessary—expanding your toolkit is what matters.
The pressures of business ownership often amplify the happiness trap, as soloists connect their worth and contentment to their business outcomes.
Introspection and self-knowledge are highlighted as vital skills, helping business owners separate their identity from the success or failure of their business.
Success does not guarantee happiness; research shows that building happiness skills first makes professional and personal success more likely.
The notion that happiness is simply about thinking positively or manifesting outcomes is refuted; Declan Edwards stresses that this kind of toxic positivity can be harmful and counterproductive.
Negative emotions are seen as essential to a full human experience—happiness is not the absence of challenge or discomfort but the ability to navigate them effectively.
The expectation that happiness means feeling good all the time is a misunderstanding; emotional complexity and resilience are key.
Simple practices such as regular introspection, gratitude journaling, and savoring positive moments foster greater happiness and satisfaction.
Human connection and relationships play a critical role; happiness is interdependent, benefiting both the individual and those around them through a measurable ripple effect.
Declan Edwards encourages listeners to move beyond knowledge and actually implement takeaways from these discussions to see real change in their lives.
00:00 Chasing Success and Finding Happiness
06:11 Building a happiness skillset
07:34 Selecting key happiness skills
11:38 Balancing work and personal life
14:25 Goals and pursuit of happiness
19:14 Defining personal happiness
23:29 Balancing success and happiness
26:34 Practicing daily gratitude journaling
28:59 Practicing daily introspection
34:13 Contagiousness of happiness and its impact
35:20 Spreading happiness through our actions
38:32 Criticism of manifestation trends
42:31 Inspiring action from learned insights

Host: Cec Busby
Sound: Abu Baker
Guest: Declan Edwards
Find out more about Declan.
Key topics1. The Science and Skill of Happiness2. Happiness and Business Ownership3. Common Misconceptions and Toxic Positivity4. Practical Habits and The Ripple EffectTime-stamped overviewListen now:

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46min
June 19, 2026The power of purpose: Cherie Mylordis on thriving in tough times
Work futurist Cherie Mylordis explores the powerful role purpose plays in helping soloists and small business owners thrive—especially when times get tough. Drawing on her transformative experience as part of the founding team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Cherie Mylordes shares insights into how a shared sense of purpose can energize teams, guide decision-making, and act as an antidote to burnout and uncertainty.
Cherie unpacks the practical ways any business—no matter the size—can define and activate its purpose to engage people, attract the right customers, and build a motivated, resilient culture. If you’ve ever wondered how to reconnect with what drives you or how to stand out in challenging times, this conversation has you sorted.

Key topics
1. The Power of Purpose in Business
Purpose unites people and drives engagement, as seen in the
Sydney Olympics experience.

Organizations grounded in purpose respond better during
crises and uncertainty.

Aligning personal and business purpose enhances motivation
and combats burnout.
2. Making Purpose Practical for Small Businesses
Purpose shapes customer experience, branding, and business
ethos (e.g., nursery and mechanic examples).

It serves as a filter for decision-making and
prioritization, especially amid overwhelm.

A clear purpose can attract ideal customers and staff while
repelling mismatches.
3. Defining and Embedding Purpose
Purpose is broader and more enduring than a vision or
mission statement.

Use thought-provoking questions (“Why do I exist? What if I
couldn’t fail?”) to articulate purpose.

Purpose must be seen, felt, and lived—visible in branding
and present in daily actions.
4. Purpose as a Driver of Culture and Adaptability
Purpose-driven organizations foster meaningful work and
strong workplace cultures.

Giving employees autonomy and permission to act on purpose
ignites innovation and engagement.

Revisiting and evolving purpose periodically ensures
continued relevance as the business changes.
5. Future Trends and Takeaways
Rising generations demand meaningful, purpose-driven work
and flexibility.

Technology should streamline tasks, freeing people for
purposeful, human-centered work.

Reflecting on purpose regularly guides businesses through
uncertainty and opportunity.
Time stamped overview
03:49 Preparing for the international Games
07:48 Eden Gardens business philosophy
10:36 Evaluating priorities through purpose
15:07 Exploring deeper business motivations
18:07 Recognizing team strengths and roles
20:17 Empowering Elderly to Thrive
24:15 Building a Purpose-Driven Team
29:53 Reevaluating business purpose
31:08 Rethinking business impact and growth
34:37 Finding clarity through purpose

Host; Cec Busby
Sound: Abu Baker
Guest Cherie Mylordis
Find out more abut Cherie and Nextgenify
https://nextgenify.com/

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37min
June 11, 2026From revenue to real wealth: Smart financial strategies for solopreneurs
Salena Kulkarni is a chartered accountant, property investor, and the founder of Freedom Warrior .
In this episode of Flying Solo,Cec and Salena sit down to unpack one of the biggest blind spots for solopreneurs: building personal wealth outside their business.
With over 25 years of experience helping entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions, Salena shares essential insights into common money
mistakes, why being good with money isn’t the same as building wealth, and
practical strategies to stop working harder and start making your money work harder for you.
Whether you’re struggling with cash flow, balancing personal and business finances, or just wondering how to set yourself up for long-term financial security, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you shift your money mindset and take control of your financial future.
Key Topics
1. Common Money Mistakes for Solo Business Owners
Focusing solely on revenue and profit, while neglecting
broader measures of business health and personal wealth (Salena Kulkarni at 02:48)

Reinvesting all spare capital back into the business without
considering if it could work harder elsewhere (Salena Kulkarni at 03:07)

Failing to separate business and personal finances, leading
to lack of structure and vulnerability in cash flow disruptions (Salena
Kulkarni at 03:54)
2. Importance of Mindset and Money Psychology
Many business owners believe they’ll start building wealth
“when the business is stable”—a threshold that often never arrives (Salena
Kulkarni at 03:33)

Money psychology (scarcity vs. abundance) drives financial
behaviour and outcomes, often more than income level (Salena Kulkarni at 07:28)

Developing financial literacy and actively working on
shifting mindset is as crucial as managing mechanics and cash flow (Salena
Kulkarni at 24:08; 25:52)
3. Creating and Managing a Money System
Establishing a clear separation between business and personal
finances and setting up money systems for both (Salena Kulkarni at 05:26; 23:30)

Implementing disciplined cash flow management, including
regular transfers to tax, profit, and savings accounts (Salena Kulkarni at 29:16)

Paying oneself as an employee to avoid the feast-and-famine
cycle and manage personal expenses consistently (Salena Kulkarni at 31:55)
4. Investing Beyond the Business for Long-Term Wealth
Not relying on the business as a sole retirement plan;
diversify investments to reduce exposure (Salena Kulkarni at 13:28)

Learn about investment risk, identify 3–5 investment
“pillars,” and avoid rushing into deals without understanding them (Salena
Kulkarni at 18:31)

Building assets outside of the business creates financial
security and a “sleep at night” factor, regardless of business volatility
(Salena Kulkarni at 06:19; 20:31)
Time-stamped overview
00:00 Career transition to wealth building
05:44 Importance of cash flow management
09:39 Managing business finances and wealth
11:09 Managing cash flow and investor mindset
15:52 Analysing Business Finances
19:12 Planning Strategic Business Investments
23:17 Personal money systems and investing
26:46 Binary views on wealth and success
29:06 Setting up separate bank accounts
34:53 Financial planning and business survival
38:25 Learning from investment losses
41:31 Influence of The Millionaire Next Door
43:21 Closing and listener reminders
Host : Cec Busby
Guest: Salena Kulkarni
Sound Abu Baker

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45min
June 04, 2026 Redefining success: How to thrive without sacrificing your wellbeing
This week, we dive into the perils of hustle culture and ask: what happens when your drive for success starts to derail your health, energy, and happiness?
Our guest is Andrew Horsfield—author of Better: Escape Average, Beat Burnout, and Own Your Life. Once a high-flying corporate achiever himself, Andrew hit burnout hard and was forced to radically rethink how we define success and pace ourselves in business.
Today, Andrew helps professionals and business owners tackle the everyday stress, uncertainty, and self-doubt that can come with running your own operation—without sacrificing wellbeing along the way.
In this episode, we get real about burnout, decision fatigue, and why we chase "finish lines" that always seem to move. We'll explore practical strategies to protect your energy, set boundaries, and rediscover a sense of freedom in your work.
If you're grinding non-stop or feeling stuck despite looking successful on the outside, this conversation is for you.
Key topics
Burnout signs and when to change
Normalising overwork culture
Metaphorical finish lines and happiness metrics
Optimising daily routines and travel prep
Role transitions and mental boundaries
Handling failure and self-awareness
Separating identity from business success
The importance of rest and recovery
Managing inner critics and self-doubt
Progress tracking and celebrating small wins
Time-stamped overview
00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Success
01:16 Understanding Burnout: Personal Experiences
04:45 The Finish Line Mentality in Business
08:39 Optimising Work and Daily Routines
10:23 Transitioning Between Roles
12:46 Managing the Inner Critic
15:44 Dealing with Failure and Setbacks
20:21 Separating Identity from Business
23:41 The Importance of Rest
27:58 Embracing Boredom for Creativity
30:55 The Power of Saying No
34:00 High Performance and Pressure
37:05 Tracking Progress and Rewarding Yourself
40:20 Redefining Success

Host: Cec Busby
Sound: Abu Baker
Guest: Andrew Horsfield.
Find out more about Andrew /https://www.andrewhorsfield.com/
Buy his book https://www.andrewhorsfield.com/book

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46min
May 28, 2026The experiment mindset: Small tests, big business wins
In this episode, leadership coach Tamsin Simounds shares insights from her book 'The Experiment Mindset' on how to ditch perfection, take smarter risks, and make sustainable progress in personal and professional growth.
Discover how to reframe your approach to goals, overcome imposter syndrome, and embrace a learning-focused mindset.
Key topics
The concept of the experiment mindset and its application in personal and business growth

Overcoming imposter syndrome through evidence and identity mapping

The importance of focusing on the process rather than just outcomes
How to set meaningful horizons and test hypotheses in life and business

Common mistakes in adopting the experiment mindset and how to avoid them
Time-stamped overview
00:00 The Quest for Perfection in Business Planning
04:50O vercoming Imposter Syndrome
10:42 Rethinking Growth and Success
15:53 Understanding the Experiment Mindset
21:55 Implementing Small Experiments for Progress
23:32 Maximizing Profits Through Experimentation
26:45 Increasing Revenue and Exposure
28:36 Overcoming Fear of Failure
31:24 The Experiment Mindset vs. Goal Setting
34:28 Understanding Behavioral Systems
38:48 Interpreting Data Effectively
43:45 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Host: Cec Busby
Sound :Abu Baker
Guest: Tamsin Simounds.
Find out more about Tamsin
Buy a copy of The Experiment Mindset
Connect with Tamsin on LinkedIn

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45min
May 21, 2026How successful founders spot opportunity and build brands
Bernadette Schwerdt is a copywriter, ghostwriter, business book coach, and founder of one of Australia’s leading copywriting schools. She’s spent years uncovering what makes entrepreneurs turn million-dollar ideas into thriving businesses … insights she’s compiled in her book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs.
In this episode, Bernadette takes us through her unconventional career journey from acting to advertising to building a successful online business. We’ll dive deep into how she’s worked with top founders from brands like Airtasker, Bondi Sands, and Luxury Escapes, discovering what really sets successful businesses apart. We’ll unpack how to spot real opportunities (and avoid those that are doomed), the pivotal role of storytelling in building your brand, and how AI is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your business, you’ll come away with practical tips on research, risk-taking, and building your personal brand, all straight from the frontline of Australia’s entrepreneurial scene.
Key topics
1. Turning Ideas Into Businesses
Bernadette explores why few people turn great ideas into million dollar businesses, emphasizing the differences between dreamers and doers.
Bernadette shares real-world examples from entrepreneurs she’s interviewed, highlighting how successful founders have built global brands from scratch.
Core lessons include spotting real opportunities, understanding what builds a thriving business, and leveraging both passion and pragmatism.
2. Research, Validation, and Risk-Taking
Bernadette stresses the importance of deep research, using competitor and adjacent market analysis before launching a business.
The balance between pragmatic realism (e.g., Google searchest o invalidate ideas quickly) and taking calculated risks is highlighted with stories such as the coffee shop/barber example and her nephew’s Pokémon card arbitrage.
Effective founders conduct pre-mortems and scenario planning—preparing for the worst and having contingency plans, as illustrated by experiences from companies like Swiss and Seek.com.
3. The Role of AI in Business and Content Creation
AI is recognised as a powerful research and productivity tool, but Bernadette urges not to rely solely on it—human judgment, passion, and external conversations are still essential.

In the copywriting world, AI is considered an “intern” or co-writer, and the value of trained writers is heightened due to their ability to brief AI effectively and filter quality from generic output .
For small businesses, AI’s key benefit is productivity—handling repetitive or time-consuming tasks and assisting with research, hiring, and summarizing content .
4. Storytelling and Personal Branding
Bernadette breaks down the structure of business storytelling: context, challenge, action, result, and learnings, emphasising its power in connecting with audiences and communicating core beliefs.
Preparation and authenticity are crucial for public speaking; Bernadette shares that effortless speeches require significant rehearsal and a clear focus on audience takeaways.
Building a strong personal brand, both online and in-person, is increasingly critical in a world where AI screens applicants and consumers buy from people, not just businesses.
Timestamped overview
00:00 Beginning the ghostwriting journey
03:17 Pursuing passion in creative careers
07:22 Remote work versus office culture
10:01 Radek Sali's risk-taking decision
16:11 Discovering the card arbitrage opportunity
18:54 Finding a unique product niche
20:51 Pursuing passions carefully
26:03 Importance of clear storytelling structure
26:59 Advice for success stories
31:36 Overcoming growth challenges on a budget
35:58 Using AI for transcriptions
38:45 Importance of personal branding online
41:01 Building a Personal Brand
43:55 Becoming comfortable with social media

Host: Cec Busby
Guest: Bernadette Schwerdt. Find out more about Bernadette
Sound: Abu Baker

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49min
May 14, 2026 From cringe to confidence: how to make selling feel good
Does the thought of sales and selling make you squirm? You’re not the only one. Yet, selling a part and parcel of doing business, so how can you get over the ick?
To help us reframe our thinking and banish that cringe factor for good we're joined by Kate Toon.
Kate is an ,award-winning business mentor, digital marketing coach,and author of the bestselling "Six Figures" series, including her latest, "Six Figures in Sales." We discuss what it really takes to sell without sleaze, why honesty trumps hype, how to price your services with confidence, and why building genuine rapport is your greatest sales asset—whether online, offline, or somewhere in between.
If you’ve ever struggled with selling, this episode is packed with practical wisdom to help you find a sales style that actually feels good.
Time stamped overview
00:00 Applying advertising skills to small business
03:56 Criticism of Meta advertising platforms
09:27 Setting freelance income goals
10:56 Discussing pricing strategies
15:28 Understanding Google's EEAT criteria
18:00 Challenges of running a bookshop
22:35 Importance of honesty in sales
23:38 The impact of brand connection
28:06 Improving your website's about page
30:17 The importance of strong writing skills
33:29 Focusing on emotional appeal
Key topics
1. Mindset Shift in Selling
·     Selling is not inherently "pushy," but simply about matching solutions to the people who need them and overcoming objections rather than convincing uninterested parties (05:12).
·     Highlighting that discomfort with selling often comes from a misconception—it becomes easier and less "cringe" when you know your audience genuinely wants or needs what you offer (05:35).
·      Moving away from "bro marketing" and push tactics, Kate Toon advocates for honesty, conversation, and real rapport with potential clients (00:48, 08:31).
2. Pricing and Value Perception
·     Accurate pricing starts with logical, unemotional calculation understanding minimum viable income, realistic billable hours, and tiered income goals (09:27).
·     Price is rarely the main objection in sales; most clients can afford the service or product but are concerned about value and outcome (14:10).
·     Transparent communication about what is feasible within a client's budget and honest conversations about the value provided are crucial for long-term trust (12:21, 13:38).
3. Building Trust and Reputation
·     The "EEAT" (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) acronym from SEO as vital for any business's digital and real-world reputation (15:28).
·     Consistent branding and authentic rapport—both online and offline—help potential customers feel confident, acknowledged, and valued (19:11).
·     Testimonials, peer recommendations, and clear evidence of qualifications play a pivotal role in building the authority and trust that drive conversion (16:43, 28:24).
4. Human-Centric Digital Marketing (Beyond Ads)
·     Kate Toon advocates for organic methods over paid advertising, emphasizing SEO, content quality, and relationship-building
(04:53, 27:01).
·      Businesses should build extensive and authentic about pages, accumulating third-party endorsements and trust signals to enhance
their digital footprint (28:24).
·     Content—especially copywriting—should be clear, jargon-free (unless appropriate to the audience), personable, and genuinely reflective of the brand's voice (30:17).

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37min
May 07, 2026 The rhythm of influence: mastering modern persuasion
In this episode of Flying Solo, Jeff Purser, communication strategist and
author of Yes Yes Yes, shares insights on modern persuasion techniques.
He emphasises the importance of timing, empathy, storytelling, and listening skills for soloists and small business owners to influence effectively without manipulation.

Key topics
The shift from hard sell to empathetic influence
The importance of timing in persuasion
Storytelling as a persuasion tool
Masks of persuasion and emotional sequencing
Listening skills as a key to influence
Timestamped overview
00:00 Introduction to Persuasion for Soloists and Small Business Owners
01:12 Jeff Persa's Career Journey and Inspiration for the Book
03:08 Why Old School Sales Tactics No Longer Work
04:19 What Healthy Persuasion Looks Like Today
05:21 The Critical Role of Timing in Influence
07:07 Preparing Your Approach Before Engaging a Client
09:43 The Three Act Structure of Persuasion and Influence
11:21 The Power of Timing in Idea Landing and Authority
14:00 Lessons from Steve Jobs and Bill Gates on Persuasion
16:31 The Customer as the Hero in Business Storytelling
18:41 The Five Heartbeats Framework for Emotional Sequencing
21:03 The Masks of Persuasion and When to Use Them
23:29 Listening Skills as a Foundation for Influence
25:26 Effective Questioning to Understand Customer Needs
27:02 Persuasion in Internal Business Relationships
28:31 Overcoming Introversion and Presentation Anxiety
35:58 Key Takeaway: Persuasion is a Learnable Skill

Host: Cec Busby
Sound: Abu Baker
Guest Jeff Purser
Find out more about Jeff: https://jeffpurserproductions.com/
Buy a copy of Yes! Yes! Yes!

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38min
April 30, 2026 Small budget, big buzz: Jasmin Hyde’s PR playbook for soloists
Jasmin Hyde is the founder of strategic communications agency Hyde & Seek. She sits down with Flying Solo to explore the ins and outs of PR for small businesses.
Jasmin brings a wealth of insight on building visibility and telling powerful brand stories. Discover why PR isn’t just for big brands, how to get your story noticed without a huge budget, tips for pitching tobmedia, and how to communicate your brand’s purpose authentically.
Plus essential advice on navigating reputation management and the rise of AI in communications.
If you’re looking to level up your brand’s profile, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you find your voice and get your message out there.
Timestamped overview
00:00 Introducing Jasmine Hyde
05:20 Starting a brand during Covid
06:52 Early PR and brand building
12:43 Media briefing session tips
14:35 Researching the right media contacts
18:10 AI's impact on media industry
22:43 Importance of proof in green claims
25:44 Benefits of proactive PR
27:35 Understanding PR's supportive role
30:20 Ending and subscription reminder

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30min
April 23, 2026 Running on Empty? The health wake-up call for solo business owners
In today's episode,we're tackling a crucial yet often overlooked facet of entrepreneurship: your health. As a business owner, you enjoy unparalleled freedom, but it also means you're the sole safety net—no HR to check in and no one to notice when you’re burning out.
Our guest is Daniel Kirkbride, founder of Cyora specializes in helping founders and CEOs uncover hidden health issues that could be holding them back. Drawing from thousands of health reports, Daniel shares eye-opening insights about why most high performers are operating well below their biological capacity—even if they think they’re doing fine.
We’ll explore the "solo founder health trap," how to identify early warning signs of burnout, the importance of sleep, nutrition, and movement, and practical steps you can take to avoid running yourself into the ground while building your business.
If you’re running on coffee and adrenaline and wondering if it’s really sustainable, this episode will help you tune into what your body is telling you and move towards a healthier, more resilient way of working.
Timestamped overview
00:00 Early career and clinic beginnings
04:08 Transition to functional medicine
06:24 Why functional medicine matters
10:22 Common deficiencies in high achievers
15:07 Simplifying before adding improvements
19:17 Listening to your body's signals
19:54 Common signs of underlying health issues
24:14 Fitness basics and starting points
28:15 Healing timelines for health issues
32:12 Simplifying health and wellness routines
33:57 Prioritizing health like business
36:49 Closing remarks and goodbye

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37min

FAQs about Flying Solo:

How many episodes does Flying Solo have?

The podcast currently has 510 episodes available.

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