Podcasts about freelancing

Andrea Engstrom did $2 million in sales for someone else before she ever bet on herself. When she finally launched her own coaching program, she generated over $134,000 in her first 90 days, and today she runs consistent six-figure months while working just three days a week and homeschooling her kids.In this episode, Andrea breaks down exactly how she did it, step by step: how she filled a workshop with 500 registrations using only organic social posts, the costly mistake she made on her first launch (and the free-call pivot that saved it), and the three-day "nail your niche" closing process that more than doubled her conversion rate.She also gets honest about the mindset shift that changed everything: why systems create happiness, why "preparation is a form of procrastination," and why your highest-value activity is the only thing you should protect.What you'll learn:The "bet on yourself" moment that launched her businessHow she got 500 workshop registrations with zero paid adsWhy her one-call close became a three-call close (and doubled sales)How $25K/month in payment plans removed all sales pressureThe simple math behind $25/hour work vs. $1,000/hour workWhat to outsource first (hint: it's not in your business)"Business is a tool that enables you to live the life you desire. Business is not life."Connect with Andrea at andreaengstrom.com and register for her free workshop, 100K in 90 Days.Enjoyed this episode? Leave a five-star review, share it with a fellow solopreneur, and subscribe wherever you listen, including YouTube.Life First. Then Business.

Think you can't take a real vacation as a solopreneur? Carly and Joe are calling it what it is: a design flaw, not a workload problem.In this episode, they break down why time off feels impossible when you work for yourself, why solopreneur PTO is really UPTO (unpaid time off), and how the ownership trap convinces you that the business leaves when you do. Then they get practical with a step-by-step pre-vacation runway that starts four to six weeks out, not four to six days.You'll learn how to set client expectations from the start of every relationship, how to decide between going fully dark and scheduling limited check-ins, and why your re-entry plan matters just as much as your prep. Plus, Joe makes the case for the hybrid "have laptop, will travel" approach, and Carly shares the buffer day trick that protects your post-vacation glow from inbox overwhelm.What you'll learn in this episode:Why your business surviving a week without you is a design question, not an effort questionThe vacation readiness audit every solopreneur should run before booking a tripHow to build vacation boundaries into your scope of work from day oneGoing dark vs. scheduled availability, and how to choose what fits youThe hybrid vacation model for extending trips without losing incomeHow to design a re-entry plan with a buffer day so you don't kill your vacation highThis week's challenge: What is the one thing that would need to be true for you to take a full week off in the next six months? If it doesn't exist in your business yet, can you build it?If this isn't the worst episode you've ever heard, leave us a five-star review. It helps us reach more solopreneurs building a life-first business.Subscribe to The Aspiring Solopreneur on your favorite podcast platform, including YouTube.Life First. Then Business.Life F

Time to put on your business owner hat: Would you pay someone to clean your house?What about do your grocery shopping?What if someone could find clients for you? Would that be worth it for you? On this Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode, I'm not asking you to commit to hiring someone to do any of these things. But I'd encourage you to listen to this episode and explore the possibilities.  If you charge your clients $75/hour and you can hire someone at $25 or even $50/hour to do a task better and faster for you, is that worth it? It's all math.  And it's worth playing around with the numbers to see what opportunities you might be overlooking. --------------- Mentioned in the Episode BONUS Laser Coaching: Lower the Pressure on PitchingBONUS Laser Coaching: Top Tips for Wildly Effective Pitching Related Links When to Be in Client-Finding ModeLand Copywriting Clients With These 35 TipsBONUS – Laser Coaching: How Do I Find Clients for Freelancing? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

What would you do with 90 days, $100, and zero credibility? Personal branding expert Alejandro Sanoja says forget everything else, go on a podcast tour.In this episode, Carly and Joe sit down with Alejandro Sanoja, founder and CEO of Latinpresarios, adjunct professor at the University of Houston, TEDx speaker, and one of the top six personal branding experts to follow. Alejandro shares how he went from an introverted immigrant who fled Venezuela's economic collapse to building a brand around authentic communication, and why podcasting is the single highest-leverage move a solopreneur can make right now.We dig into the storytelling framework that makes "selling" feel natural, the warmth-plus-competence formula that actually builds trust, and why introverts often outperform extroverts when they do the prep work. Alejandro also breaks down how he protects his time by "dripping" his visibility instead of burning out, and shares a real client result: 3–5 new clients and ~$30K in pipeline in 90 days from podcast appearances alone.In this episode, you'll learn:The $100 personal branding plan: podcast tour math (list, camera, AI tools) that actually fits the budgetHow to tell a story with an "inciting incident" so promotion never feels salesyThe warmth + competence formula behind real trustWhy introverts can make better salespeople, and the prep that gets them thereHow to set boundaries and run visibility as a "drip" to avoid burnoutWhy SEO content alone no longer cuts through in the age of AI overviewsThe asymmetry of value: ~2 hours of work that compounds into 30+ pieces of contentAbout our guest: Alejandro Sanoja is the founder and CEO of Latinpresarios, an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, a TEDx speaker, published author, and international speaker recognized as one of the top six personal branding experts to follow.Resource: Landing page mentioned in the episode: https://latinpresarios.com/the-aspiring-solopreneur/Find Alejandro on LinkedIn and at latinpresarios.com.Enjoyed this episode? Leave a 5-star review, share it with a friend, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, including YouTube.Life First. Then Business.

Tu livres, tu factures, tu recommences. Et si tu t'arrêtes 30 jours demain, il rentre quoi sur ton compte ?

Découvre l'hymne de la Free Party, le festival des freelances et des solopreneurs qu'on organise le 9 juin à Nantes.Création musicale : Flavie Prévot (assistée par IA)

Wir verraten dir, was dich als Freelancer wirklich erwartet

Setting boundaries is one thing. Setting them without feeling like a jerk is another. In this follow-up to their popular boundary-setting episode, Carly and Joe tackle the discomfort head-on and reframe boundaries not as confrontation, but as filters that let the right work through and keep the chaos out.They dig into the boundaries you already have but never formalized, why being available around the clock actually makes you look less valuable, and how to handle the big three: response times, working hours, and scope creep. Joe shares a war story about working until 2 a.m. for a "urgent" project the client didn't evaluate for two months, plus a clever premium-pricing trick that makes clients stop expecting instant replies.You'll also learn simple, drama-free scripts for pushing back on scope creep, the power of starting every project with a statement of work, and why respect has to flow in both directions, even when a client is paying you.In this episode:Why your assumed boundaries are still boundariesThe myth that 24/7 availability equals good serviceHow to set response-time expectations that clients actually respectThe "premium plan nobody buys" pricing strategyCalm scripts for handling scope creep and change ordersSwapping deliverables for budget-conscious clientsEnforcing respect and when to fire a clientWant Joe's statement of work template? Email joe@lifestarr.com with "SOW" or "statement of work" in the subject line.Boundaries won't cost you good clients. They'll reveal which clients were never going to be good ones in the first place.Life first. Then business.

Vous avez une newsletter, mais vous sentez qu'elle pourrait vraiment faire décoller votre activité freelance ? Dans cet épisode, Thomas partage sans filtre sa méthode concrète pour segmenter sa base mail, personnaliser ses envois et créer un vrai lien avec ses lecteurs. Un déclic essentiel pour ne plus dépendre des réseaux sociaux et bâtir un marketing authentique, aligné avec vos valeurs.La conversation plonge au cœur des coulisses de l'écosystème freelance : Thomas détaille ses propres processus, ses outils, ses prises de tête et ses apprentissages sur la segmentation. L'objectif ? Que vous repartiez avec une vision claire et actionnable pour structurer votre newsletter, toucher votre audience là où elle en a vraiment besoin, et avancer vers plus d'impact sans y laisser votre énergie.

Ashley Stahl, career strategist, founder of Wise Whisper Agency, and speaker of one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time, joins the show to break down exactly how solopreneurs can build a powerful personal brand through speaking, without burning out or constantly performing online.In this episode, Ashley shares why "do what you love" is the wrong advice, how to identify your core values as a career filter, and why most people confuse credibility with authority (and which one actually gets you clients).What you'll learn:The difference between your skillset (the what) and your core values (the how), and why both matter for your businessWhy authority, not credibility, is what actually drives client growthThe "islands" framework for building a personal brand onlineHow to write a signature talk with original thinking, even if you've never been on a stageWhy a TEDx talk can generate opportunities for 15+ years after you give itThe structural formula Ashley's team uses to write talks (including word count, page count, and emotional arc)How focusing on one brand channel per year beats trying to be everywhere at onceConnect with Ashley:Website: wisewhisperagency.comBook a call: wisewhisperagency.com/calendarInstagram: @ashleystahl

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and '90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master's program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question. https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/PAN6239596108.mp3 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Teaching Music in LA 03:00 TeachRock and Music Education 04:27 Writing and Community Programs 05:35 Growing Up With Rock 07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen 09:14 Early Music Obsession 10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories 12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts 15:10 Freelance Music Career 17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman 19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot 22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes 25:52 Better Paying Gigs 26:32 Idling High Origins 28:15 We All Look the Same 33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal 36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive 39:28 Next Creative Steps 40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent 44:00 Thunder Road Debate 47:53 Where To Find Jake 49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever open your inbox on a Monday morning, spend two hours responding to everything, and realize you haven't actually moved your business forward? You're not alone.In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the crucial difference between communication and commitments, and why confusing the two is quietly killing your productivity as a solopreneur.You'll learn the simple three-part structure (What + Who + When) that turns vague promises buried in email threads into trackable, actionable commitments. Joe shares his own journey from losing entire mornings to his inbox to building a paper-based system inspired by David Allen's Getting Things Done, and how that evolved into something even more streamlined.In this episode, we cover:Why treating every message as equally urgent keeps you busy but unproductiveThe difference between communication (talking about work) and commitments (owning the work)The What, Who, When framework for creating clear, trackable commitmentsWhy every commitment needs exactly one owner, never twoHow to track commitments others make to you (the ones most likely to fall through)Using tags and separate lists to filter by context so you only see what's relevantThe 60-second recap habit that prevents miscommunication before it startsJoe's analog card-and-notebook system that kept projects on track for yearsWhether you use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a dedicated app, the tool doesn't matter, the habit does. Hit play and learn how to build it.Big news: The Aspiring Solopreneur podcast is now in the top 2% of all podcasts globally! Thank you for listening, now help us hit the top 1% by sharing this episode.

What does it take to be a woman with a loud voice in a world that keeps telling you to be quiet? In this episode, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt — journalist, rebbetzin, and co-founder of the Altneu Synagogue on Manhattan's Upper East Side — for a conversation about ambition, authenticity, and what it really means to lead. Avital's path has been anything but conventional. A Russian-born writer who published her first viral essay at 20, landed bylines in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vogue, and Foreign Policy, and spent years as a features editor and news editor before pivoting to co-build one of New York City's fastest-growing Orthodox synagogues — all while navigating the deeply complex terrain of being a bold female voice in the frum community. This episode is about far more than one woman's story. It's a frank, urgent conversation about the cost of conformity, the crisis of female spiritual leadership in Orthodox communities, and why, if we don't change, we're going to lose an entire generation of women. Timestamps: 2:39 — Avital's background: growing up Russian-speaking, a literary home, and big dreams 5:34 — The power of teachers and mentors in igniting ambition 6:37 — Being told her drive for ambition was a "yetzer hara" — and going for it anyway 9:07 — Writing for Haaretz, personal essays, and finding her voice as a religious woman 11:36 — The Forward years: breaking stories on the Orthodox community and navigating controversy 12:52 — Going viral before going viral was a thing; the tznius essay at age 20 17:41 — Writing about her dating life and using authenticity as a filter 20:28 — Freelancing and hitting her byline bucket list: NYT, The Atlantic, Vogue, and more 21:08 — The reality of gatekeeping in journalism and being relentless despite rejection 22:07 — "Winners always find a way to win" 22:22 — Meeting her husband: the story, the promise she broke, and the NYT essay that brought them back together 26:32 — Writing a book: 700 words a day and the unglamorous daily discipline 29:13 — Why the digital world has flattened us — and why that's dangerous 30:01 — On shidduchim, being yourself, and differentiation in dating 31:37 — "It's gonna be really hard to build leaders — especially women — who aren't bold enough to be authentic" 31:45 — Building genuine belonging vs. conformity in frum community life 35:30 — The controversy and the courage: hate mail, threats, and choosing truth anyway 36:09 — Post-October 7th: a shift in priorities and the luxury of community criticism 36:49 — How the Altneue Synagogue was born — out of crisis, pregnancy, and 40 people in a living room 38:27 — The convergence: how Avital's journalism career and community building came together 42:32 — From a living room minyan to 600 people and the Pierre Ballroom 45:28 — October 7th and the surge of young Jews searching for connection 46:23 — Building real commitment: charging membership before they had a building 47:33 — The shul as a product: finding the gap and doubling down on differentiation 51:37 — "When you engage the women, you engage the whole family" 51:40 — "We felt the hand of God in this" — 722 member families and counting 59:30 — "There should be leadership on both sides of the mechitza" — Avital's defining statement 1:02:03 — Women spiritually checking out vs. going "woke" — what Avital is actually worried about 1:05:08 — Materialism as the symptom of women with no inner spiritual life 1:08:14 — Halacha vs. Masorah: having the honest conversation 1:12:14 — "If we don't change, we're going to lose" — what senior Rabbonim are actually saying 1:15:09 — "We are so afraid of female voices" — the media we consume and the messages it sends 1:18:45 — The JWE's mission and why this podcast exists 1:19:25 — Modeling: the text from a young woman that Avital saved 1:20:10 — Blurred girls' faces in magazine ads and the message sent to young women 1:37:39 — Fast Five: controversial thing she's ever done, her superpower, and her final message About the Guest: Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt is a journalist, rebbetzin, and community builder based in Manhattan. A daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants, she grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey, in a deeply literary home, and knew from childhood that she wanted to be a writer. She studied at Stern College for Women (Yeshiva University) and went on to build a distinguished career in journalism, with bylines in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vogue, Foreign Policy, The New Republic, Glamour, Haaretz, and The Forward, where she served as features editor. She later served as news editor at The Real Deal, covering New York City politics and real estate. Avital is also the co-founder of the Altneu Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which she built alongside her husband, Rabbi Benji Goldschmidt. What began in 2020 as a living room minyan of 40 people has grown into a community of 722 member families — known for its intellectual rigor, inclusive spirit, and vibrant women's section. The shul has become a model for engaged, differentiated community building in the modern Orthodox world. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Avital is currently at work on her first book. She is passionate about female leadership in the frum community, the importance of authenticity, and helping women reconnect to a rich inner spiritual life. This episode was made possible by our friends at *Roth & Co., innovators in accounting and business advisory. We are grateful for their continued partnership in making these conversations possible.*

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and '90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master's program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question. https://www.jakecassman.com/music 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Teaching Music in LA 03:00 TeachRock and Music Education 04:27 Writing and Community Programs 05:35 Growing Up With Rock 07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen 09:14 Early Music Obsession 10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories 12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts 15:10 Freelance Music Career 17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman 19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot 22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes 25:52 Better Paying Gigs 26:32 Idling High Origins 28:15 We All Look the Same 33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal 36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive 39:28 Next Creative Steps 40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent 44:00 Thunder Road Debate 47:53 Where To Find Jake 49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think forming an LLC protects your business name? Think again.In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, trademark attorney Joey Vitale, founder of Indie Law, breaks down why trademarks are the number one legal risk facing every small business and why most solopreneurs don't realize it until it's too late.Joey shares real stories of entrepreneurs blindsided by cease and desist letters (including one who had to rebrand her podcast in 14 days while on vacation in Hawaii), explains the critical difference between LLC protection and trademark protection, and walks through exactly what you need to know to protect the brand you've worked so hard to build.In this episode, you'll learn:→ Why checking the domain name availability is NOT the same as being legally protected → The difference between an LLC (your "backstage name") and a trademark (your "onstage name") → Word marks vs. logo marks, and when each one makes sense → How to use "intent to use" filing to protect a name before you even launch → Why over half of the 500,000+ annual trademark applications get denied → The three hidden costs of a forced rebrand: time, identity, and your business machine → What a knockout search is and how to run one for free today → Why the TM symbol is helpful but won't save you from a legal challenge → Budget-friendly ways to get trademark protection in place, even as a life-first solopreneurJoey also unpacks the mindset shift that happens when founders receive their trademark registration, and why it's the modern equivalent of taping that first dollar bill to the cash register.Whether you're testing a new business name or you've been operating for years without filing, this episode gives you a clear, actionable roadmap to protect your brand.Resources mentioned:Indie LawUSPTO Trademark SearchJoey's book: Legally LegitLife First. Then Business.

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down different ways to make your first $100,000 and rank them based on speed, scalability, and difficulty. From freelancing and niche agencies to content creation, sales jobs, and flipping products, Travis shares candid insights from his own entrepreneurial journey—including what worked, what didn't, and which opportunities offer the fastest path to real income. The conversation also dives into the psychology of sales, building valuable skills, and why service businesses are still one of the best places to start. On this episode we talk about: Ranking business models for making your first $100K Why niche agencies and high-ticket service businesses are S-tier opportunities The realities of building a business through content creation How freelancing can evolve into a scalable agency Why sales remains one of the highest leverage skills for making money Top 3 Takeaways Selling a clear result is often easier — and faster — than selling a promise or coaching offer. Freelancing and service businesses can generate cash flow quickly while teaching valuable entrepreneurial skills. Sales is one of the best foundational skills you can learn because it allows you to earn without carrying the operational burden of running a full business. Notable Quotes “When you do stuff done-for-you, it makes up in offer strength what you lack in sales skills.” “You eat what you kill.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got some money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: Instagram Website: Travis Chappell Official Website A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode tackles one of the biggest struggles solopreneurs face: the guilt that comes with saying no. Carly and Joe dig into why so many solopreneurs feel overwhelmed, not because they lack time, but because they keep saying yes to things that don't serve the life they've designed. They introduce a simple but powerful filter for every opportunity that comes your way: Does this serve the life I designed? Not "is this a good opportunity?" or "can I handle this?"They walk through three common scenarios where solopreneurs are tempted to say yes when they shouldn't: the exciting exposure opportunity that eats your time and energy, the high-paying client who drains you with every interaction, and the favor for a friend or peer that chips away at your boundaries. Joe shares a real example of turning down a speaking invitation in Boston, and offers a practical alternative for difficult client situations, adjusting the relationship until the client self-selects out. Carly shares a communication tactic she's learned for declining without inviting negotiation: simply say "I can't right now" and stop there.The episode wraps with a weekly challenge: the next time something lands on your desk that you'd normally say yes to out of habit, pause and run it through the filter first.

Alyssa Rogers is a certified life coach, burnout coach, military wife, and mom who is building her coaching business while still working a 9-to-5. After losing her childhood nanny at just 72, Alyssa realized that waiting until retirement to start living wasn't an option. She decided to create her own path toward freedom and fulfillment rather than settling for the "one day" mindset that keeps so many people stuck.In this episode, Alyssa shares how she accidentally discovered her calling as a burnout coach when her employer required her to get certified as a life coach. She breaks down the three types of burnout (career/financial, relationship, and personal), explains why comparison culture is destroying aspiring entrepreneurs, and reveals what she tells clients to do this week when they're overwhelmed.Alyssa also opens up about the online programs that overpromised and underdelivered, which ultimately pushed her to co-create her own digital marketing program with a built-in AI module that personalizes the experience based on who you actually are, not a cookie-cutter template.In this episode, you'll learn:The three types of burnout and how to identify which one is affecting youWhy your "why" matters more than the business model you chooseHow to do a personal and business audit when you're feeling stuckWhat most online business programs get wrong about mentorship and communityHow to use AI tools authentically without losing your voiceWhy building around your values instead of trending skills leads to sustainable successThe first steps to take when burnout hits before your business even gets off the groundConnect with Alyssa Rogers: TikTok: @freedombeyondburnoutResources mentioned:Henry Ford quote: "Whether you think you can or you cannot, you're right."Cody Johnson's song "Human."Connect with us: Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube. Leave a five-star review to help us reach more solopreneurs building a life-first business.Life First. Then Business.

⚡️ Télécharge mon agent IA pour trouver le concept de newsletter parfait pour TON activité, TA niche et TON persona : https://www.minutelead.io/leboard/concept-rentable-newsletterTu écris une newsletter avec des conseils d'experts chaque semaine, mais personne ne l'ouvre ?Pendant ce temps, certains solopreneurs génèrent 500K$ par an juste avec leur newsletter. Le problème ? Ton concept de newsletter freelance est sans doute perfectible.Dans cet épisode solo, je te partage 5 concepts de newsletter pour créer l'addiction chez tes lecteurs et t'aider à vendre tes offres :

You left your 9-to-5 for freedom, so why does your calendar still run your life?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe tackle a habit most solopreneurs don't even realize they have: building their business around the clock instead of around themselves. If you've ever filled an open time slot with whatever felt urgent (hello, inbox), this one's for you.Carly introduces a simple 3-step energy audit framework you can start using today:Step 1 – Identify Your High-Energy Windows Track your energy (not your schedule) for one full week. Rate each block of time as sharp, steady, or dragging. Don't judge it, just observe. You'll likely discover two to three genuine peak windows per day, and they may be shorter than you think.Step 2 – Match Peak Energy to High-Value Work Once you know your windows, protect them for the work that actually moves your business forward — strategy, revenue-generating tasks, relationship building. Stop spending your best hours on email, Slack, and admin.Step 3 – Structure Your Operations Around Your Rhythms Move recurring meetings, client calls, and contractor check-ins outside your peak windows. Batch low-energy tasks together. Communicate your availability to clients; it's a boundary, not an inconvenience. Build a daily template and default to it.Joe adds a power tactic: use Calendly (or similar tools) to create separate meeting types with different available time slots, one for high-energy meetings, one for everything else, so your schedule enforces your energy plan automatically.Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, this episode gives you a concrete system to stop optimizing your schedule and start optimizing your output.Challenge: Start your energy audit this week. One week of honest observation can reshape how you run your entire business.Key Topics: energy management for solopreneurs, life-first business, the ownership trap, productivity without burnout, scheduling strategies, solopreneur time management, peak performance windows

There are two main ways to make money online and become a digital nomad: being a freelancer or being a business owner.Inside the Digital Nomad Life Academy, I help people become business owners, but I've been noticing a lot of people are stuck in freelancer energy without realizing it — and honestly, it's not sustainable. Freelancing can quickly turn into a grind where you're working for your clients instead of for yourself.So in this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between freelancing and entrepreneurship, how to shift out of freelancer energy, and how to build a business that actually gives you more freedom, income, and control over your life.In this episode, we talk about: The difference between being a freelancer and a business owner  Why freelancing can quickly lead to burnout  How to stop trading your time for money  The mindset shifts required to start a business online  Creating scalable offers instead of hourly work  Why boundaries are essential as a service provider  The biggest mistakes freelancers make with marketing  How to build a lifestyle-first business as a digital nomad  Why predictable income matters when leaving your 9-5  How to create more freedom while getting paid to travel  Building a location independent business with long-term sustainability  The truth about “freedom” entrepreneurship vs. hustle culture Resources:Check out next: Episode 33: How My Career Assessment Process Want support building your online business?DM me on Instagram @christabellatravels with the keyword “APPLY” to start the conversation about joining the DNLA and creating your own freedom-focused business.paid to travel, digital nomad, freelancer, start a business online, online business coach, location independent business, remote work, freelancing vs business owner, scalable online business, lifestyle businesSend us Fan Mail

Career development specialist Shazia Bharuchi tells us why freelancing is a great set up for women.Meanwhile, should we re think traditional exams? We hear from Dr. Ruba Tabari, Senior Educational Psychologist at The Developing Child Centre and inclusion expert Louise Dawson. Writer Sahira Dharamshi wrote YA novel Who Am I? to explore themes around teenage mental health concerns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thinking about going freelance but worried about losing your Universal Credit? Good news, you don't have to choose. In this episode, I'm breaking down how Universal Credit actually works for self-employed people, and why it might be more flexible than you think. What we cover: Why Universal Credit isn't just for employed people, freelancers can claim too The Minimum Income Floor explained (and why it probably won't affect you straight away) The 12-month startup period and how it gives you breathing room to build your client base How to report your income and expenses monthly through your UC Journal What counts as an allowable business expense Why your work coach is your biggest ally, and their limitations too Action steps: ✓ Check your eligibility on Government Universal Credit Information ✓ Keep track of money actually received, not just invoiced ✓ Log your allowable expenses monthly (equipment, software, travel, home working costs and more) ✓ Consider a tool like FreeAgent to prepare for Making Tax Digital ✓ Ask your work coach about your startup period and whether the Minimum Income Floor applies to you Resources mentioned: Government Universal Credit Information |  FreeAgent (affiliate link)| Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business ⚠️ Recorded April 2026: always double-check current rules on gov.uk as these can change. Subscribe for more quick, actionable freelance tips you can enjoy during a tea break! Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction 0:19 – Can Freelancers Claim Universal Credit? (Overview) 0:55 – Universal Credit Eligibility for Self-Employed People 2:09 – What Is the Minimum Income Floor and How Does It Affect You? 3:24 – The 12-Month Startup Period: How to Qualify and What It Means 5:00 – How to Report Your Income and Expenses to Universal Credit 7:00 – Universal Credit as a Tool to Grow Your Freelance Business Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

He was fired from 39% of his entertainment industry jobs. Then he turned serial failure into a superpower.John Tarnoff spent decades as a Hollywood studio executive and film producer, getting hired, getting fired, and reinventing himself over and over again. After surviving the dot-com crash, a string of layoffs, and an identity crisis in his 40s, John made a radical move: he went back to school at 50, landed his dream job at DreamWorks Animation, and eventually built a thriving coaching practice helping mid-career professionals take control of their careers.In this episode, John joins Carly and Joe to break down exactly how solopreneurs can apply the same reinvention framework he used, even if they're starting from scratch, feeling unconfident, or struggling with the identity shift from corporate employee to business owner.What you'll learn in this episode:→ Why your 40s and 50s are actually the ideal time to take big career risks → How to turn a messy career history into a compelling narrative that attracts clients → The three pillars every solopreneur needs: superpower clarity, a personal board of directors, and thought leadership → Why "if your market is everybody, your market is nobody," and how to find your niche → How to network authentically when you hate networking → Why confidence comes last (not first) and what to rely on instead → The one daily habit John recommends before anything else, and it's not what you'd expect → Why your identity is never your job title, and how to liberate yourself from that trapWhether you're mid-career and thinking about going solo, already running a one-person business, or stuck in the messy middle of a transition, this conversation will give you permission to stop waiting and start building.Find John: LinkedIn (search John Tarnoff Career Coach)Life First. Then Business.

⚡️ Télécharge mon analyseur de newsletter pour voir si tu commets ces 5 erreurs (offert) : https://www.minutelead.io/leboard/transforme-ta-newsletterTu passes des heures chaque semaine à écrire ta newsletter de freelance ou solopreneur, mais tes prospects la suppriment sans même l'ouvrir ? Tu te demandes pourquoi personne ne te répond et pourquoi tu ne vends pas ?J'ai analysé des dizaines de newsletters de freelances et solopreneurs. Et dans cet épisode, je te révèle les 5 erreurs fatales que tu commets sans le savoir et qui sabotent tes ventes :

Most solopreneurs think their biggest problem is getting more clients. But what if the real issue is that you built the wrong business in the first place?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, hosts Carly Ries and Joe Rando break down the #1 pattern they see after working with thousands of solopreneurs: people chase clients without first designing a business around the life they actually want to live. The result? Burnout, frustration, and a business that feels like a job you can't quit.Carly and Joe walk through the essential questions every solopreneur should answer before asking, "How do I get my next client?":→ What do I want my days to actually look like? → How much do I really need to earn to fund the life I want? → What kind of work energizes me vs. drains me? → Who do I want to work with, and who are my "energy vampires"?They also tackle pricing strategy head-on. Joe shares a real example of someone who charged $500 for work that saved a company $400,000, and how value-based pricing can transform your income without adding hours. The conversation covers when to raise prices, when to outsource, and why charging by the hour might be keeping you stuck.Whether you're just starting your solopreneur journey or you're deep in the hustle wondering why it doesn't feel right, this episode gives you a practical framework for building a business that supports your life, not the other way around.Key topics covered:Designing your business model around your ideal lifestyleValue-based pricing vs. hourly billingHow to determine how many clients you actually needWhen to consider outsourcing, automation, and AISetting realistic income goals as a solopreneurWhy niching down matters more than you thinkThe difference between making a living and making "too much"Life first. Then business.

Most solopreneurs got into business to chase a passion, not to crunch numbers. But avoiding your financial data is one of the fastest ways to stay stuck, underpaid, and overwhelmed.In this episode, we sit down with Andy Weins, junk removal business owner, professional speaker, and fractional CFO, who spent 17 years learning (sometimes the hard way) that the answers to your biggest business problems are hiding in data you're probably not collecting.Andy breaks down why entrepreneurship is inherently emotional and illogical, and how that wiring makes business owners uniquely bad at tracking the numbers that actually matter. He shares the story of a graphic designer charging one client the equivalent of $9/hour without realizing it, explains why your "best-selling" product might be draining your profits, and walks through how to build a KPI scorecard, even if you're a one-person operation.He also introduces his 20-20-10 framework: 20 hours working in your business, 20 hours working on it, and 10 hours investing in yourself. Plus, a dead-simple formula to calculate your real billable rate starting today.What You'll Learn in This Episode:— The difference between accounting and financial leadership (and why your CPA isn't enough) — How to calculate customer acquisition cost in three different ways — Why you should start with many KPIs and whittle down to the vital few — The 20-20-10 weekly structure for solopreneurs — A quick formula to find your minimum billable rate using 48 weeks and 20 hours — Why "spite is a hell of a drug" but success is more sustainableResources Mentioned: — Andy's book: Stop Avoiding Your Numbers: The Guide to Financial Confidence for Small Business Owners — Atomic Habits by James Clear — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey — Connect with Andy on LinkedIn or at AndyWeins.com

In this episode, Lindsey DeVito, a freelance groom with Lindsey DeVito, LLC, explains what life looks like as a freelancer in the equine industry. She describes her usual responsibilities as a freelance groom, how freelancing has allowed her to have better work-life balance, and how she hopes to help others in the industry avoid burnout by providing as-needed support for barns.GUESTS AND LINKS - EPISODE 47:Host: Hailey Pfeffer (Kerstetter)Guest: Lindsey DeVito, Lindsey DeVito LLCPlease visit our sponsors, who makes all this possible: Equithrive (Equithrive® Breeding Mare Pellets | Broodmare Supplement), Ask TheHorse Live, USRider Equestrian

"In the case of being a storyteller, I keep a document that I call my nonfiction compost pile. I keep little snippets of things that I've heard but it didn't really dive deeper into it. When you have other things to fall back on, it's easier to to pivot and say, 'Okay, this one didn't work out.' If you really believe in a story, you're going to find somebody else who believes in it too," says Nick Davidson, whose "Big Game" is this month's featured Atavist story.We've got Nick Davidson (@nickgdavidson on IG) returning to the pod because he has within the span of about two years landed ANOTHER story with our dear friends at the Atavist Magazine. Nose to tail, this is one of the best Atavist pods you're going to hear. I don't know what was in the air, but Jonah Ogles, the lead editor, and Nick, were in the zone. I'm very excited for you to sink into this one for reasons I think that'll be clear once you sit with it. Head to magazine.atavist.com to read the story and consider subscribing, and no, I don't get kickbacks and I, in fact, pay for my own subscription, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it.Nick's story chronicles the undercover operation to take down dozens of poachers in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. The federal agent at the heart of it, George Morrison, goes undercover and what follows is a riveting story that raises all kinds of questions and blurs the lines between right and wrong. It's titled: Big Game: Colorado's San Luis Valley was a wildlife poacher's paradise. Then an undercover federal agent arrived.Nick can be found at nickgdavidson.com. His work has appeared in Outside, Men's Journal, Truly Adventurous, Garden & Gun, High Country News, Backpacker, VICE Sports, and Popular Science.There's a Buddhist vibe to Nick in that he's an eternal optimistic and he surrenders to the current, not in a passive way, I know that sounds contradictory, but what I mean is he's not one to frantically paddle upstream. He practices in the martial arts, which imbues him with a sense of confidence of mind and body; he preaches non-attachment, which is always good materialistically but also when it comes to stories that might not pan out. He's of abundant mindset and he very much had me questioning my headspace, which as you know is a cesspool of toxic goo.So in our conversation, we talk about: How he established a freelance career Pitching Excitement for the story Having a positive attitude Telling the story that's right in front of you Google alerts Writing long Developing character Beginnings and endings And when the magic happensI think you're really going to leave this chat feeling energized at possibility. Maybe that's just me.Order The Front RunnerWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

If your solopreneur business feels like it's running you instead of the other way around, you've fallen into the Ownership Trap. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the three root causes behind why so many solopreneurs end up building a business that controls their life rather than supports it.In this episode:What the "Ownership Trap" is and why almost every solopreneur falls into itWhy this is a design problem, not a motivation problemThe 3 causes: No Design, No System, and No Plan to EvolveHow to start viewing every business decision through a "Life First" lensReal stories from Joe and Carly about the mistakes they made, and what they learnedIf you've been grinding away wondering why you left your 9-to-5 only to end up right back in the same trap, this episode is for you.Life first. Then business.Subscribe to The Aspiring Solopreneur so you never miss an episode, and if this resonated, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. It helps more solopreneurs find the show!