The Life-First Solopreneur

Flying solo in business doesn't mean you're alone.

We say this all the time, but truer words have never been said.

And while the idea of building a community is important, it can be easier said than done if you've never done it from scratch before.

So, in today's episode, we stepped away from our standard interview format and brought in two guests, Andy Guttormsen from Circle and Stacy Blette, LifeStarr's very own community manager, to do a workshop on the steps you need to take to grow and build an audience from nothing.

Our editor messaged us after listening to this podcast to say how much he loved it and got out of it. I have to say, I have to agree.

It's one of our favorite, most practical, and action-packed episodes we've done. You will walk away with a to-do list.

Be sure to tune in!

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)

ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

Access show notes.

Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.

Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.

Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

This week at Lifestarr we're talking all things money. A taboo topic, maybe, but something we all need to understand as solopreneurs.

So, we've re-published an excellent episode from the archives that deserves a second listen.

To say our guest, Gabe Nelson, knows his stuff is an understatement!

What You'll Learn In This Episode

• How to take the leap from employee to solopreneur with confidence
• Whether or not you should start a side-hustle before becoming a full-time solopreneur
• How solopreneurs can best prepare for the unexpected
• How solopreneurs can plan for major purchases since their income isn’t always predictable
• Where solopreneurs should start when it comes to self-funding their retirement
• How new solopreneurs can price their services
• How solopreneurs can make their business profitable

And so much more!

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)   ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES   • Access show notes. • Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community. • Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers. • Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

 

While all solopreneurs will benefit from listenting to this episode, this is absolutely a must-listen for people who are just getting started.

We asked all the questions that we wish we would have known when we started our own businesses and our guest, Nolan Bradbury, answered all of them thoroughly.

Take 30 minutes to listen to this, you'll be SO glad you did. Questions we asked include:

• What role does the mindset of a solopreneur play in the financial success of their business?
• What are the common factors that prevent business owners from achieving their financial goals?
• What do business owners, specifically solopreneurs, often overlook, either in the beginning of a business or when they're trying to scale to the next level when it comes to the financial health of their business?
• When we think of a traditional entrepreneur and company, we think of financial reports and accounting data when a person talks about business finances. Are these types of reports necessary for solopreneurs and what should solopreneurs pay attention to?
• Why should business owners place value on accounting/bookkeeping?
• When it comes to the previous topic, what should they be mindful of if they do it themselves and what should they look for if they decide to outsource?
• What makes for a good relationship with your accountant/bookkeeper?
• Any tools or systems you'd recommend solopreneurs invest in?

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)   ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Access show notes.
• Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

Allow us to give some background, because this is a show unlike any we've done before.

Joe has been a fan of Toon on Netflix for awhile which is a Dutch comedy about a reclusive, socially awkward jingle composer who must navigate the nightmarish world of show biz after a viral video skyrockets him to fame.

Fame aside, the main character is relatable to many solopreneurs, so Joe wanted to have the actor who played him on the show.

Thinking I (Carly) was only going to watch the first few episodes to prep for this interview, I turned it on, and one week and two seasons later, I had completed the series, and could totally see why Joe was so into it (and has watched the series three times). It's. Awesome.

In this episode, Joe and I sat down with star and co-creator of the show, Joep Vermolen, to discuss his journey as a solopreneur himself, and how he went from that to having a show on Netflix. The story is wild.

He's witty, authentic (a theme for the episode), and charming and led us through one heck of an interview.

If you're a solopreneur, somebody who wants to be inspired, or just a person wanting to hear a good story, or sneak peek into the world of television, this episode is for you.

Enjoy!

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)   ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Access show notes.
• Watch Toon
• Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

Joe and I (Carly) have not historically been fans of social media. I haven't posted on my personal accounts in years (aside from LinkedIn).

However, knowing it's a necessary evil for our business, we decided to embark on a mission to not only enjoy it, but do it right.

A few months back we interviewed Shelley Goldstein, who actually convinced us that social media could be something to look forward to if we changed our mindset, and she was right.

Once we had the motivation, we had to finese our approach to optimize our efforts and increase success...and that's where we are today, in this episode, with Karlyn Ankrom.

In this show, she answers pressing questions for solopreneurs, such as:

• What are 3 tangible things solopreneurs can do today to move the needle on their social media efforts?
• So many people measure vanity metrics. What should solopreneurs actually measure and how often? Can it actually impact ROI quickly?
• How does a solopreneur inject personality into their posts?
• People often forget to use CTAs in their posts. What are some good CTAs to use to increase engagement and do they change across platforms?
• How do you best advise solopreneurs to straddle the line between their personal and professional lives on social media? Do the lines get blurred with relationship building on social platforms?
• For people who only serve their local community, should they be doing anything differently?

Plus so much more. Be sure to tune in!

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)   ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES • Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community. • Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers. • Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

 

In this episode, we have an in-depth and unique discussion about email marketing with a true master in the field, Chris Orzechowski.

As the title suggests, Chris has amassed a staggering $100 million+ in sales for various products through email marketing, and he unveils the secrets behind why focusing on growing your email list is the real game-changer for solopreneurs.

In a world obsessed with social media, discover why cultivating a robust email community can be far more impactful for your business. 

Skeptics argue that email marketing isn't worth the effort for their small business but Chris tackles this head-on, unraveling the truth about whether it's a strategic fit for everyone.

Gain invaluable insights into the proven tactics and best practices solopreneurs can employ to create an email list that's not just large but genuinely engaged.

From avoiding common pitfalls to crafting emails that resonate, this episode is a goldmine of actionable advice for solopreneurs seeking to elevate their email marketing game.

And here's the clincher – discover how crafting compelling emails isn't just about engagement; it's a direct route to putting more money in your pocket. 

We had a great time with this interview.

Enjoy!

Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a five-star review :)

ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Access show notes.
• Going solo in business doesn't meanf you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

Since it's the first episode of the new year, we thought it'd only be fitting that we re-publish our first episode of season two. It also just happened to be one of the most popular.

So, on today's episode, you'll learn about:

• Advantages and disadvantages of automation
• Examples of how to use automation to improve efficiency in your business
• Recommended tools for automation
• Pros and cons of outsourcing
• Recommended areas to outsource in your business to save time

Plus so much more! It's such a gem of an episode. Be sure to tune in!

Of course, if you find value in the show, please leave us a 5-star review (hey, gotta make the ask, right?)!

ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

We are taking the week off here at The One-Person Business due to the holidays but didn't want to leave you high and dry, which is why we are re-publishing one of our most popular episodes from season 1.

Affiliate marketing continues to generate buzz and get a lot of attention...but it's for good reason. It can truly be such a game-changer for solopreneurs, which is why we had The Affiliate Guy himself, Matt McWilliams, on the show to discuss:

• What affiliate marketing is and how people make money from it, and why it’s a good tactic for solopreneurs
• Where solopreneurs should start in affiliate marketing
• The common things really successful affiliate marketers do
• Common mistakes people make when it comes to affiliate marketing and how can they be avoided.

Plus so much more! It's such a gem of an episode. Be sure to tune in!

Of course, if you find value in the show, please leave us a 5-star review (hey, gotta make the ask, right?)!   ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES • Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community. • Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers. • Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

We have had some amazing guests recently, and Guillaume Wiatr is no exception. We had a great conversation exploring Narrative Power and why it's a crucial element for the success of your business.

We discussed:

• What Narrative Power is, and why is it so important for your business
• The difference between a story and a narrative
• Examples of narratives Guillaume helps to reframe
• Challenges Guillaume sees when helping solopreneurs to develop Narrative Power
• What Strategic Narrative® is, and what makes it unique
• The strategy solopreneurs can use to stand out in a crowded market
• The role Narrative plays when solopreneurs struggle to enroll the right clients 
• Why Guillaume believes “start with why” is often bad advice for solopreneurs in professional services

Plus so much more! We learned so much in this episode. Be sure to check it out!

Quotes from Guillaume:

• "People will pay for a story, but people will die for a narrative."
• "Narrative Power is your chance to disagree with your competitors."
• “I don't write because I have a lot of ideas. I have a lot of ideas because I write.”

Learn more about Guillaume Wiatr and MetaHelm here.

Of course, if you find value in the show, please leave us a 5-star review (hey, gotta make the ask, right?)!

ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Access Show Notes
• Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.

How often do you get to chat with a former personal security escort of the Dalai Lama? Odds are it isn't very often, but we had the pleasure of speaking with Stephen K. Hayes who held that title for 12 years.

The knowledge he obtained from that experience plus his own accomplished background has led Stephen to become a a seminar leader and lecturer who inspires others by translating his extensive background in martial arts and meditation into practical lessons for handling the pressures and uncertainties of life.

His participants have said that his teachings have brought them deep encouragement and empowerment, and inspired them to achieve new levels of success in their personal and professional lives.

So, we wanted to chat with him about how his knowledge and wisdom can apply to solopreneurs specifically.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How he began teaching people to be more prosperous through the principles of martial arts

• The value of bridging ancient Eastern teachings with contemporary life

• How a solopreneur can achieve self-actualization through the ninja way

• How solopreneurs can find their purpose in this confusing modern world

• Lessons learned on his travels with the Dalai Lama that solopreneurs can apply to their personal and professional lives

• Best practices for people wanting to try meditation for the first time in an effort to handle the pressures and uncertainties of life

Plus so much more! Be sure to tune in!

Like the show? Be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!

 

ADDITIONAL LIFESTARR RESOURCES

• Access show notes
• Going solo in business doesn't mean you're alone. Join The Solopreneur Community.
• Solve your business challenges and connect with like-minded solopreneurs at the next Solopreneur Problem Solvers.
• Join the next Solopreneur Success Sessions, a monthly micro-event covering a variety of topics to help you have success as a company of one.