If you’ve been getting hammered with “AI income hacks” on Instagram and TikTok, you are not alone. Carly has been targeted so aggressively that she’s starting to suspect her phone can hear her thoughts, so today, she and Joe sit down with Becky Beach, a solopreneur who actually does this stuff successfully.

From AI-powered funnels to Instagram chatbots to wildly profitable printable products, Becky breaks down exactly how she built a decade-long business that lets her make real money while still having time for her family. She shares the mistakes she made early, the systems she relies on now, and what solopreneurs need to know before diving into digital products or automations.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can this AI-funnel thing actually work?”...this episode is your answer.

FAQs From The Episode
Can I actually start with zero list and zero social media following?

Yes, but not overnight. Becky makes it clear this is not a get-rich-quick play. She recommends picking a niche you genuinely care about, creating small pieces of free value, and using those to build your list through lead magnets. Social media helps, but email is what converts.

Do I need design skills to sell printables or digital products?

Nope. Becky happens to be a trained designer, but plenty of sellers rely on Canva, templates, or affiliate programs to get started. You can promote other creators’ printables while you learn, then create your own later.

Are AI funnels and chatbots too saturated now to work?

Not if you bring something unique. Becky explains that even though AI is everywhere, most people execute poorly. Your edge is:
 – niching down
 – making user-friendly products
 – offering consistent free content
 – using your story and personality as your differentiator
 AI tools help automate and scale, but they only work if your foundation is solid.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

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If you've ever wondered how Joe somehow whips up a custom GPT for literally everything, from content creation to arguing with him when ChatGPT gets too agreeable, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Carly finally asks the question the whole community’s been thinking: “How is Joe doing that?” And this time, he actually shows us.

Step-by-step.

On-screen.

In real time.

Whether you want a GPT that writes in your brand voice, handles your workflows, or just keeps you honest (looking at you, You’re Wrong GPT), Joe breaks down exactly how he builds them: what’s easy, what you need to prepare, and what most solopreneurs totally overlook.

If you’ve ever said, “I wish a GPT could do this for me…” Good news: after this episode, it can.

FAQs From The Episode

Do I actually need a paid ChatGPT plan to create my own GPTs?

Yes. As Joe explains, GPT creation isn’t available on the free plan. You’ll need the $20/month subscription to access the “Create” option. The good news? If you use even a handful of AI-powered tasks in your business, you’ll easily make that cost back in saved time.

What kind of “training material” do I need to upload to build a useful GPT?

Think brand voice guides, examples of past content, frameworks you use, instructions you follow, or any assets that show how you want your GPT to think and write. More clarity = better output. You don’t need a huge pack of documents, just a few strong examples go a long way.

How do I know what kind of GPT I should create for my business?

Start with the tasks you repeat constantly or the ones that drain the most time: content creation, email drafts, lead gen messages, customer onboarding, proposals, social captions, etc. If you’ve ever said, “I wish someone could just do this for me,” that’s the perfect candidate for a custom GPT.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

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What happens when the Wild West days of early internet marketing collide with the deeply human side of AI? In this episode, Steven Sakach from aiCMO joins Carly to talk about blending empathy with innovation (yes, even in a world that often feels robotic and copy-and-paste). From his outrageous early-career bidding wars to his BLISS framework (Build Love Into Scalable Systems), Steven shows solopreneurs how AI can actually make your business more human, not less.

If you want to use AI without losing your voice, deepen emotional connection with your clients, and build systems infused with purpose (and love), this is your episode.

FAQs From The Episode

How do I keep my marketing from sounding generic when using AI?

The key is anchoring your AI-generated content in your purpose, values, and voice. Stephen’s platform (and the approach he recommends) starts with defining your higher purpose — what you actually care about, who you serve, and why you do what you do. When AI has that context, plus your differentiators and brand voice, it stops producing “same-same” results and starts sounding unmistakably like you.

How do I use AI without losing authenticity or connection with my audience?

You deepen authenticity before you generate content. Ask AI to help you understand your customers’ emotional journey — what fears they have, what delights them, what frustrations they experience. Once you understand the emotional landscape, AI can help you create “surprise and delight” moments, strengthen connection, and design experiences that feel personal and human. Authenticity comes from clarity, not from avoiding AI.

What systems should I build first if I want to grow but stay true to my values?

Stephen suggests starting with BLISS: Build Love Into Scalable Systems. That means creating processes that aren’t just efficient, but kind — onboarding steps that lower anxiety, feedback loops that keep you aligned with client needs, and systems that consider impact on people and planet, not just profit. When you systemize kindness and empathy, your values show up consistently, not just when you remember.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

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AI isn’t coming for your solopreneur job, but it will happily take your tasks. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down how to turn AI into the world’s most over-eager intern: fast, enthusiastic, occasionally clueless, and totally coachable. From using AI without losing your voice…to avoiding “hallucination traps”… to building a GPT that actually remembers what you told it, this episode shows solopreneurs exactly how to manage AI, not get managed by it.

FAQs From The Episode:

How do I actually ‘train’ AI for my business?”

Treat it like onboarding a new team member. Upload or paste your brand guidelines, audience description, business plan, examples of your writing, and list of do’s/don’ts into a custom GPT. Then, add instructions that reinforce your tone, values, target audience, and preferred outputs. Revisit the training regularly, because AI can “forget” if everything stays in one long chat thread.

What tasks should I delegate to AI, and which ones should stay 100% mine?

Delegate:

• Drafting (blogs, emails, social posts)
• Research summaries
• Brainstorming ideas
• Rewriting in different tones
• Organizing messy text

Never delegate:

• Strategic thinking
• Topic selection
• Opinions or point of view
• Final edits
• Any part of your brand voice that requires nuance

AI can assemble the pieces, but you must decide what the puzzle looks like.

How do I keep AI from drifting, forgetting instructions, or making weird mistakes?

Use a custom GPT (not just one long chat). Put your recurring instructions directly into the system prompt so they don’t fall out of the context window. Reinforce boundaries often (“never use profanity,” “don’t use dashes,” etc.), provide examples, and correct mistakes as they happen. Think of it as ongoing performance management. The more feedback and clarity you give, the better it performs.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

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In this episode, Luke Hessler gets radically real about losing everything and rebuilding faster using the only assets no one can take: mindset, skills, and relationships. We dig into personal branding for any personality (yes, introverts), the “one post a day for a year” muscle, turning your warm network into real leads (today), and scaling without employees by fixing fulfillment first and systemizing customer acquisition. It’s gritty, generous, and wildly practical.

FAQs From The Episode

I’m introverted. Can I really build a personal brand without being on camera all day?
Yes. A personal brand is just your authentic offline reputation, online. If video drains you, lead with thoughtful written posts, frameworks, and slow-paced explanations. The people who think like you will prefer it. Pick one platform, post once daily for a year, and use simple content buckets (e.g., Expertise, Process, Personal). Watch engagement to see what lands, then iterate.

I need leads fast on a tiny budget. What should I do this week?
Start with your warm network. Make a handwritten (or spreadsheet) list of every relevant contact and call them. Offer a small “beta” program to a few ideal clients for free in exchange for a testimonial, a case study, and 1–2 introductions. Measure it like math: if 1 in 10 says “yes,” and you need 5 clients, make 50 quality outreaches. Don’t overcomplicate. Sort for the “ready now,” not convince the “not now.”

How do I scale without hiring employees and avoid burning out?
Fix fulfillment first. Ensure partners/vendors can handle increased volume so new sales don’t create churn. Then systemize customer acquisition (choose one core motion: landing page + traffic, affiliates, or cold outbound that sets appointments). Expect a short initial sprint (the jet uses 80% of fuel on takeoff), then automate/outsourcing what worked: repurpose posts, templatize outreach, use software or reliable vendors. Choose a sustainable cadence over heroics.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

If you thought SEO was complicated…meet its AI-powered cousin.

In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the buzzword that dominated INBOUND, AEO (AI Engine Optimization), and explain what it actually means for solopreneurs. Spoiler: it’s not about gaming algorithms or chasing clicks. It’s about making sure your voice, ideas, and frameworks show up when AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini answer your audience’s questions.

You’ll learn:

• What AEO really is (and what it isn’t)
• The small tweaks that help your content stand out in AI search results
• Why clarity > cleverness in your copy
• And why human connection still beats machine optimization every time

If you’ve ever wondered how to future-proof your visibility without losing your authenticity, this one’s for you.

FAQs From The Episode

What’s the difference between SEO and AEO, and do I really need both?
SEO helps search engines (like Google) find you. AEO helps AI engines (like ChatGPT or Perplexity) understand and surface your content. While SEO is still valuable, AEO focuses more on structure, clarity, and credibility signals that make AI choose you as the source when answering questions. You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just start optimizing for both audiences: humans and machines.

I’m a coach/consultant/service provider. Does AEO even matter for me?
For most solopreneurs, relationships and referrals still drive the majority of business. But AEO is a long-term play. If someone asks an AI tool, “Who’s the best productivity coach for solopreneurs?” or “What’s the SMOOTH method?”—you want your name, content, or frameworks to appear. It’s not urgent, but it’s smart to start now so you’re discoverable later.

What’s one simple AEO tweak I can make today?
Add an FAQ section (like this!) to your website or blog posts. AI scrapes well-structured Q&A content, and it’s one of the easiest ways to signal authority. Bonus tip: use clear, direct language over clever wording. AI prioritizes clarity, and so do readers.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What happens when a bartender from New York gets hit by a car, and ends up building a $350 million real estate empire?

Jason Yarusi joins The Aspiring Solopreneur to share how that wake-up call sparked his Live 100 mindset, a simple yet powerful framework for breaking patterns, building momentum, and magnifying results.

From redefining success to fighting perfectionism, Jason gets real about how self-awareness, consistent action, and gratitude can completely reshape your life and business.

FAQs From The Show

What exactly is the “Live 100” framework?
Live 100 is Jason Yarusi’s three-part system, Break, Build, and Magnify, for creating lasting change. You start by breaking habits that no longer serve you, then build meaningful rituals through consistent, intentional action, and finally magnify your growth by inspiring others and compounding small wins over time.

Jason talks a lot about self-awareness. How can solopreneurs strengthen it?
He recommends honest reflection without judgment (notice how you’re showing up in moments of stress and identify which “version” of yourself is leading the way). Then ask: How would the version of me who’s already achieved my goals respond right now? Over time, that awareness shifts both mindset and behavior.

What does Jason mean by taking action over perfection?
Perfection is just a fancy form of procrastination. Jason urges solopreneurs to take one small step, because movement creates momentum. Every step reveals new information, while inaction keeps you stuck. As he puts it, “Most people think they’re jumping off a building when really, they’re just stepping off a curb.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if your business could just stay perfect forever: same clients, same income, same flow? Yeah… we wish!

In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe get real about how to future-proof your business (and yourself) for the inevitable changes ahead. From spotting shifts in your industry to using AI and automation wisely, diversifying income streams, and planning for the long haul, this episode is your blueprint for staying resilient no matter what tomorrow throws your way.

It’s not about predicting the future, it’s about being ready for it.

What does it mean to future-proof your business as a solopreneur?
Future-proofing is all about building resilience and adaptability into your business so you can thrive no matter what changes come your way. You can’t predict every trend or challenge, but you can create systems, habits, and strategies that help you pivot quickly, like setting aside time to review what’s shifting in your industry, automating key tasks, and staying curious about new tools and opportunities.

How can I stay on top of trends without getting overwhelmed?
Be intentional about what you consume. Set up Google Alerts for your niche, use AI tools to summarize relevant updates, and curate your social media feeds to focus only on accounts that bring you value. The goal isn’t to chase every shiny object,
it’s to pay attention to the shifts that truly impact your clients, your market, or your workflow.

What’s one of the smartest ways to make your business more resilient?
Diversify your income streams within your expertise. For example, if you’re a coach, offer 1:1 sessions, but also create a digital course, downloadable resources, or a group program. That way, if one area slows down, another can pick up the slack. Bonus points if you layer in automation so some of those streams run while you’re off the clock.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What happens when your biggest strength, helping others, starts draining your energy?

In this empowering episode, returning guest Leah Marone, psychotherapist and author of Serial Fixer, joins Carly for a heart-to-heart about why solopreneurs often fall into “fixer mode.” You’ll learn how to stop rescuing and start empowering, how to calm your inner critic, and how to set boundaries without guilt. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’ll just do it myself,” this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

FAQs From The Episode

How can solopreneurs tell if they’re a “serial fixer”?
If you constantly jump in to solve problems that aren’t yours, feel drained after “helping,” or struggle to let others handle things, even small tasks, you might be in fixer mode. Leah calls this “micro codependency.” It’s not about bad intentions—it’s about overextending yourself in the name of helping.

What’s the difference between rescuing and empowering?
Rescuing means taking ownership of someone else’s problem; empowering means supporting them to find their own solution. Leah shares her favorite mantra: “Support, don’t solve.” That small mindset shift gives people their own reps while freeing you from unnecessary emotional labor.

How can solopreneurs set boundaries without feeling guilty?
Leah explains that guilt often comes from your inner pleaser, the part of you that fears rejection or judgment. The fix? Recognize that this voice is trying to protect you. Appreciate its intention, but guide it gently toward balance. Sustainable boundaries come from understanding your internal drivers, not ignoring them.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

You’ve got your solopreneur business humming: systems in place, clients happy, goals aligned...but there’s one crucial piece most of us forget: our own well-being.

In this episode, Carly and Joe get real about the not-so-glamorous (but absolutely essential) side of solopreneurship, balancing your business and your life. From scheduling workouts like meetings to curbing doomscrolling and finding your community, they unpack the habits that keep you sane and successful. Because when you are your business, taking care of yourself isn’t optional, it’s strategy.

Q&As From The Episode

How can solopreneurs maintain work-life balance when their business depends entirely on them?

It starts with designing your business around your life, not the other way around. Schedule movement like it’s a client meeting, set clear boundaries for work hours, and implement repeatable systems so you’re not constantly reinventing the wheel. Remember: you are the business—so maintaining your well-being is maintaining your productivity.

What can solopreneurs do to combat isolation and loneliness?

Working solo doesn’t mean being alone. Join local meetups, online communities, or hobby groups to stay connected. Networking is also one of the most powerful growth tools for solopreneurs—you don’t need a million clients, just meaningful relationships that keep both your business and your mindset thriving.

How can solopreneurs avoid burnout and decision fatigue?

Repetition and routines are your secret weapons. Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for daily tasks, batch your decisions when possible, and celebrate your wins—big or small. Recognizing progress keeps your motivation high and prevents the constant “what’s next?” pressure from draining your energy.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free