Too many businesses duct-tape tools together, hoping things will “just work.” But real systems aren’t plug-and-play; they’re built with intention.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Shannon Vincent, founder of The Systems Fix, to explore how solopreneurs and small teams can move beyond templates and build systems that actually support the way they work.

Shannon doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all. She believes in clarity, people-first processes, and sustainable systems that evolve with your business, not overwhelm it.

🛠️ Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

• Templates vs. Tailored Systems: Why grabbing a Notion template isn’t a shortcut if it doesn’t match your workflow.
• Choosing Your Tech Stack Wisely: Specializing in fewer tools (SmartSuite, Airtable, ClickUp) = better results.
• Fragmented Tools = Lost Time: Move from scattered spreadsheets to a single source of truth.
• Data Security in the EU Era: Shannon & Laura unpack GDPR compliance when building systems for education and public institutions.
• No System is Ever “Done”: How continuous iteration builds real resilience and reduces friction.
• AI and Automation: Why Shannon sees AI not as a threat, but a collaborative tool for future-ready workflows.

✨ If you’re an entrepreneur, consultant, or team leader looking to simplify without losing quality, this episode is packed with gold.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on how to build intentional systems, work smarter, and scale with confidence.

How do you lead through complexity without burning out? How do you create a strategy that actually works, especially when resources are tight and change is constant?

In this episode, Laura is joined by Theresa Kane, a long-time consultant to mission-driven teams. Together, they explore the human side of strategy - from navigating nonprofit conflict to building adaptive plans that reflect both vision and capacity.

This conversation is packed with insight for leaders, consultants, and changemakers who want to move beyond buzzwords and bring real clarity to messy environments.

💡 Topics we cover:

• Why true planning starts by listening to the people doing the work, not writing big reports.
• Balancing Ambition with Capacity: Applying the 80/20 principle to keep visionary nonprofits grounded and effective.
• Navigating Conflict & Change: What to do when roles are unclear, systems are outdated, and teams are stretched.
• The Consultant as Bridge: Why Theresa sees herself not as an expert, but as a guide who helps ideas become action.
• Agency vs. Consulting: What she learned from running both, and why she moved upstream into strategic consulting.
• Traits of Strong Consultants: Insight facilitators, not fixers - Theresa shares what separates good consultants from great ones.
• Redesigning Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector: Beyond KPIs - What Real Leadership Development Could Look Like.

🎧 Whether you’re building systems, guiding teams, or stepping into leadership, this episode is a masterclass in clarity, adaptability, and values-driven decision-making.

💬 Did something resonate with you in this episode? Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on systems, strategy, and sustainable leadership.

What if your business felt light, clear, and actually enjoyable?

In this episode, we dive deep with Mario Jurčić, solopreneur systems expert and spreadsheet whisperer, to talk about building a business that feels less like burnout and more like freedom.

Forget about overcomplicated SOPs or flashy tools. Mario shares a grounded, practical approach to simplifying your work, pricing your services with confidence, and adopting the mindset of a creative CEO, even if you’re working solo right now.

🧠 You’ll learn:

• Why charging by the hour keeps you small, and how to shift to value-based pricing
• How to design systems that support your life, not the other way around
• The mindset trap of needing to “deserve” success (and how to finally let that go)
• Why Excel works better than fancy tools when it comes to business clarity
• How to protect your energy, set boundaries, and stay focused on what matters

Mario unpacks how systems aren’t just tech - they’re decisions. And once you align your work with your actual goals, your business starts to feel easier, more spacious, and way more fulfilling.

📌 If you’re a solo business owner, coach, consultant, or creative, then this one’s for you.

👀 Like what you hear? Hit subscribe so the next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed, the right mindset + system is already in your feed.

Let’s build businesses that work for us, not the other way around.

This episode is a mashup of the most insightful, relatable, and helpful moments from our first 9 conversations on Systems With Laura.

We’ve covered so much — from how people organize their calendars to how they actually protect their energy while running a business.

We focused on 3 big topics:

🧠 The systems and tools people really use every day

🤖 AI (yes, the real-life, non-hype kind)

💡 Hard-earned advice on entrepreneurship, mindset and finding your flow

You’ll hear how different guests — freelancers, founders, and team leads — are setting up their work, choosing the right tools (and ditching the wrong ones), and figuring out how to build a business that works for them, not the other way around.

This one’s packed with gems. You’ll definitely want to take notes.

💡 Whether you're navigating cultural expectations, fear of visibility, or the first steps of content creation, this episode is full of real talk and practical frameworks that meet you where you are.

🎧 Listen on YouTube + everywhere you get your podcasts.

NekUq6V8LngWhQQU0tNXA brief summary of this episode

Today’s episode is one for the soul and the strategy. Because no matter how sophisticated your tools are, if the inner system isn’t clear, the outer one won’t stick.

🎙️ Meet Jane Wareham, transformational Mindshift Coach and spiritual mentor to visionary women. Through a blend of mindset reprogramming, embodiment, and deep soul work, Jane helps her clients unlock power, alignment, and clarity, without burning out or betraying who they are.

In this episode, we explore:

If you're craving a business that feels as good as it performs, this conversation is your permission slip to slow down, reset, and build from the inside out.

Instagram: @thelauraplantak

LinkedIn: ⁠Systems With Laura