Flying Solo

Flying Solo
  • 4.8 (60)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Essential legals for soloists and small business owners

    This week, we take a deep dive into the world of small business legal essentials with special guest Tracey Mylecharane, founder of TM Legal Atelier and a passionate advocate for empowering small businesses. Tracey shares her journey from courtroom litigation to supporting creatives, consultants, and coaches in laying strong legal foundations, helping them dodge costly mistakes and avoid business pitfalls. Tracey unpacks the importance of having tailored contracts, client agreements, and privacy policies, revealing how the right legal framework can protect you from risk, enhance your professionalism, and reduce stress in your business. If you’re a solo entrepreneur who’s ever wondered what legal documents you really need, or how often to review your contracts, this episode s packed with practical advice and actionable insights to keep your business shipshape. Key topics 1. The Importance of Legal Foundations for Soloists and Small Businesses Many businesses end up in litigation due to lack of proper contracts or legal advice. Proper legal documents can help avoid costly disputes and destruction of businesses. Having the right legal foundations is empowering and can protect business owners from unnecessary risk. 2. Common Legal Gaps and Risks for Solo Business Owners Many soloists use templates or AI-generated contracts that are not fit for purpose. Industry-standard documents often lack specificity for individual businesses. Gaps in documentation can lead to misunderstandings, disgruntled clients, and potential financial loss. DIY and AI contracts can give a false sense of security and may not hold up legally. 3. Essential Legal Documents and Review Practices For businesses with a website: client agreement, website terms & conditions, and privacy policy are essential. Privacy legislation is evolving, soon requiring all businesses to have a privacy policy. Legal documents should be reviewed at least annually or whenever there is a change in business operations. Well-designed contracts grow and evolve with the business. 4.Building a Supportive Relationship with Legal Professionals Choosing a lawyer is like choosing a partner; comfort and clear communication are key. Accessibility and transparency in billing practices are important factors. A lawyer should be a long-term support, not a source of stress. The right legal documents and advice can be the most powerful tools for a business. Time stamped overview  00:00 Preventing Business Destruction Through Support 04:17 "Empowering Business Through Contracts" 09:45 ChatGPT Risks in Legal Work 12:40 Managing Expectations with Service Agreements 14:36 "No Free Work for Freelancers" 19:18 Australia's Privacy Policy Changes 22:57 Evolving Business Practices Checklist 26:42 Risk Management and Business Structure 28:42 Managing Risk for Small Businesses 31:24 Choosing the Right Lawyer Host: Cec Busby Guest: Tracey Mylecharane Audio: Abu Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

  2. 19 FEB

    The brave path to wealth: Mel Browne on money mindset and momentum

    Welcome to Flying Solo, the podcast dedicated to soloists and small business owners forging their own unique paths. In this episode, host Cec Busby sits down with Mel Browen to dive deep into the subject of financial literacy, especially for women who often feel uncomfortable taking control of their finances. Mel Browne, is a renowned financial educator and bestselling author who’s just released her latest book, Dare to Be Wealthy. unpacks the cultural and societal barriers that make wealth a “dirty word” for many women. They discuss the gendered language of finance, and explore the challenges—from pay gaps to the impact of menopause—that affect women’s wealth journeys. Mel offers practical strategies for moving beyond scarcity, building personal wealth alongside business success, and reframing financial confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or simply struggling to talk about money, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you dare to be wealthy, define what wealth means for you, and embrace financial choice. Key topics 1. Women & Money: Barriers and Empowerment Societal discomfort and shame women often feel around money Historical and cultural systems that have excluded women from finance Importance of reframing wealth as choice and opportunity, not greed 2. Mel Browne’s Financial Journey & Lessons Learned Overcoming financial crises after a divorce and starting from scratch Realisation that business success alone doesn’t guarantee personal wealth Shift to teaching strategies for building both business and personal wealth 3. Practical Strategies for Wealth Building Plugging expense “leaks” and creatively increasing income without burnout Automating and simplifying investments, starting with small, regular amounts Utilizing tools like super splitting and government co-contributions to catch up 4. Challenging Limiting Beliefs & Increasing Financial Literacy Addressing common self-doubt: “I’m terrible with money” through mindset shifts and education Recognizing unique challenges for women (e.g., menopause, ADHD) and planning for them Embracing the fact that women statistically outperform men in investing by using simple, steady strategies 5. Impact and Importance of Women’s Wealth When women control wealth, positive effects ripple through families and communities Role modeling financial confidence and literacy for the next generation Encouragement that it’s never too late to start, with resources and support available Timestamped overview 00:00 "Overcoming Doubt, Starting Anew" 03:27 "Lessons from Financial Missteps" 07:07 "Dare to Be Wealthy" 09:50 Gender Bias in Financial Stereotypes 16:00 "Invest Like a Woman" 17:47 Tackling Finances Amid Life Challenges 24:15 "Mastering Money Through Life Seasons" 26:49 Navigating Menopause and Health Choices 29:44 "Super Splitting for Fairness" 34:34 Simplified Investing vs. Emotional Trading 37:14 "Women’s Wealth Drives Social Impact" 39:29 "Start Building Wealth Today" Find out more about Mel Browne Host Cec Busby Audio: Abu Baker: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  3. 5 FEB

    Shani Taylor on mentoring, scaling up, and authentic business growth

    On this episode of Flying Solo, host Cec Busby sits down with business mentor and founder of scaledup.io, Shani Taylor. Together, they cut through the noise and hype surrounding business mentoring, addressing the real challenges that solo and small business owners face when trying to scale. Shani Thares her no-nonsense insights on everything from moving beyond the solopreneur phase, to managing rapid growth, to overcoming myths about easy wins in business. With her direct, BS-free approach, Shani dives into the importance of clarity, authentic leadership, staying resilient through challenges, and making sure mentorship helps entrepreneurs become the best versions of themselves—rather than just parroting someone else’s ideas. Key topics 1. The Real Value of Business Mentorship Is mentorship a smart investment or just hype? Challenges in finding trustworthy mentors amidst industry saturation Shani 's direct, experience-based approach to coaching 2. Building and Scaling a Successful Business Shani's journey from solo content creator to seven-figure business owner The difference between solopreneurs and business owners scaling up Overcoming common business challenges as you grow 3. Healthy Mentor-Mentee Dynamics Dangers of idolising mentors and losing personal authenticity Signs a client is outsourcing responsibility rather than self-leading Program structures that encourage accountability and self-driven progress 4. Evolving Definitions of Growth and Leadership Growth means more than revenue: time, freedom, and staff well-being are vital Leadership style adaptations are crucial when managing teams versus clients Clarity in vision and breaking goals into actionable milestones 5. Sustaining Momentum & Measuring Success Keeping commitment beyond initial excitement with accountability processes The value of ongoing support (personal results specialists, check-ins) From engagement to conversion: ensuring your efforts lead to real business impact Time-stamped overview 00:00 "Business Mentors: Smart Investment?" 03:25 From Content Creator to 7 Figures 07:17 The Challenges of Being in Business 12:45 "Dangers of Overreliant Mentorship" 15:11 Avoiding Client Idolization 18:53 Evolving Leadership for Better Outcomes 21:19 "Focus on Achievable Goals" 26:00 "Timeless Principles for Selling Success" 27:18 "Mentorship & Advice Appreciation" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  4. 29 JAN

    Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Why emotional intelligence is the key to business success

    Don't know your IQ from your EQ? Never fear, kick back, and check out our summer season highlight as we dive into a conversation with Amy Jacobson on emotional intelligence and why it's so crucial for business success. Amy Jacobson is a human behaviour and emotional intelligence specialist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She has made it her mission to help leaders and organisations embed emotional intelligence into their workplace culture—something she believes is often overlooked, yet crucial for business success. In this conversation, Cec and Amy explore what emotional intelligence really is, why it’s a gamechanger for business owners, and practical ways to develop these skills—whether you’re managing a team, navigating tricky conversations, or fostering a positive workplace culture, even in remote settings. Drawing on years of hands-on corporate experience and her new book, "The Emotional Intelligence Advantage," Amy shares actionable advice for building empathy, self-awareness, and resilience in both personal and professional life. 1. Emotional Intelligence as a Learnable Skill It’s not an innate trait, but a set of skills that can be developed and improved throughout life. Practice, repetition, and self-awareness are essential to growing emotional intelligence. Ownership and responsibility for one’s actions and emotions is central to EQ. 2. The Crucial Role of Empathy Empathy is different from sympathy: it requires understanding another’s emotions without judgment. Empathy can be taught and is essential for healthy workplace culture and leadership. Practicing empathy helps navigate difficult conversations and build trust. 3. Navigating Difficult Conversations Address tough issues promptly—don’t avoid or delay. Focus on emotions rather than just facts or situations. Use techniques like the “Ask-Ask-Tell” method to encourage self-ownership while maintaining boundaries. Emotional regulation (such as staying calm and listening) is key during heated discussions. 4. Building a Positive Team and Workplace Culture Emotional intelligence underpins workplace culture, especially with remote and flexible teams. Relationships and understanding what makes people “tick” drive effective collaboration. Lack of emotional intelligence can breed toxicity, poor performance, and disengagement. Timestamped overview 00:00 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 04:46 Emotional Intelligence: Ownership & Impact 09:23 Teaching Empathy in Toxic Workplaces 12:28 Overcoming Fear in Tough Talks 16:34 "Handling Anger with Empathy" 18:45 "Empathetic Communication Technique" 21:42 Building Emotional Connections 26:17 Perspective on Leadership Differences 29:12 "Breathe: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence" 32:16 Celebrate the Book's Impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  5. 22 JAN

    Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Essential resilience skills for solopreneurs

    Looking for a great listen this summer? Check out our highlights from the past year and learn a new skill today! This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our personal wellbeing and resilience. Melli O'Brien, renowned coach, mindfulness educator, and author of Deep Resilience has aided over a million individuals worldwide in finding inner calm and clarity. She shares her personal journey from dealing with mental health crises to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and strength. In this conversation, Melli dives into the key skills necessary for cultivating resilience, breaking down her four-part method designed to empower you through life's adversities. Whether you're feeling burnt out, caught in overthinking traps, or simply eager to strengthen your mindset, this episode is filled with practical insights and strategies to help you reconnect with your inner strength and values. Key topics Melli O'Brien's Background and Journey Her experience with a difficult childhood leading to mental health challenges. Hitting a crisis point with mental health issues like an eating disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation. Discovering resilience and happiness as skills and seeking guidance. Development of Skills and Writing of "Deep Resilience" Book Encounter with teachings from Buddhism and psychology about resilience. Development of skills leading to significant personal transformation. Motivation to write her book based on patterns observed in others. Discussion on Resilience and Inner Strength Difference observed between those who struggle and those who thrive under adversity. Introduction to the "deep resilience method" and its foundational skills. The FEAR and RISE Models Explanation of the FEAR model, outlining elements leading to spirals of struggle. Introduction to the RISE model as a counteracting strategy to FEAR. Mindfulness and Its Misconceptions Addressing skepticism around mindfulness and its practical benefits. Explanation of how mindfulness helps manage thoughts and emotions effectively. Practical Application of Mindfulness and Managing Overthinking Real-life example from Melli's personal experience with her cat's health emergency. Implementing mindfulness techniques and regulating negative thoughts. Addressing Burnout and Maintaining Balance Understanding and recognising the signs of burnout. Importance of balancing life activities through an inventory of "drainers" and "sustainers." Timestamped overview 06:17 Deep Resilience and Personal Growth 10:05 Overcoming FEAR Pattern 11:52 Managing Emotions and Stress Wisely 15:52 Staying Connected to Your Values 18:53 Overcoming Anxious Thoughts 21:14 Mindfulness Simplifies Emotional Awareness 27:20 Resilience Framework: 3 C's for Wellbeing 28:49 Mastering Skills Through Practice 34:57 Mindfulness to Combat Burnout 38:47 Burnout Check-In: Drainers vs. Sustainers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  6. 15 JAN

    Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Transforming busy into productive

    Today we are joined by Simi Rayat, a global productivity expert, business psychologist and founder of Wellbeing Face. In our conversation, we delve into productivity and emotional wellbeing. Simi shares her journey from a budding interest in psychology to becoming an advocate for enhancing productivity through a scientifically backed approach. Together, we explore key concepts from her latest book, "Productivity Joy," which offers strategies for boosting productivity and energy in just five minutes a day using the innovative 5Q formula. We also touch on the importance of gratitude, emotional awareness, and self-compassion in maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Join us as we uncover practical tips and mindset shifts that can transform your daily routines and enhance your personal and professional growth. Time-stamped overview 00:00 5-minute system boosts mood and productivity. 04:27 Science-backed process for enhancing mindset with questions. 07:38 Emotions dictate behavior; acknowledging them is crucial. 11:30 Focus on 3 high-impact tasks daily. 15:44 Mindset impacts productivity and collaboration significantly. 20:08 Revisit priorities midday; reflect briefly daily. 23:33 Take 5 minutes daily for mindset clarity. 26:10 Annual family goal-setting retreat with collaborative planning. 28:48 Identify inspiring qualities and boost self-worth and gratitude. Key Topics Recognising Qualities and Self-Reflection Admired Traits: Simi Raya emphasises that the qualities we admire in others often mirror traits that exist within us, enhancing our own self-awareness and identity. Self-Worth Connection: By recognising these qualities in ourselves, we can improve our self-worth and confidence. Identifying Influential People: Part of effective self-reflection is identifying and surrounding ourselves with individuals who inspire us to become better versions of ourselves, fostering personal growth. Value and Practice of Gratitude Human Need for Recognition: Gratitude satisfies a fundamental human desire to feel valued and impactful, fulfilling an essential emotional requirement for acknowledgment. Concerns About Gratitude: Raya expresses concern that some individuals struggle to recall the last time they received gratitude, highlighting a need for improved gratitude practices. Encouraging Expression: She advocates for a more frequent and conscious expression of gratitude to enhance overall well-being and fulfillment in our interactions. Distinction Between Busyness and Productivity Common Reflexive Responses: Many people default to saying they're "fine" or "busy" without truly assessing their emotional state or productivity level. Impact over Quantity: Simi Raya explains that being busy is often mistaken for being productive or important, yet it doesn't necessarily equate to impactful work. Focus on Meaningful Work: She suggests prioritizing high-impact and meaningful tasks over compiling lengthy to-do lists, which can lead to more significant outcomes and satisfaction. Simi Raya’s 5 Q's Formula Framework Introduction: Raya introduces a productivity framework adapted from Eisenhower’s matrix, designed to focus on prioritizing tasks by their urgency and importance. Three High-Impact Tasks: The approach emphasizes completing three high-impact tasks each day to maintain alignment with broader personal and professional goals. Brain's Preference for Threes: This method leverages the brain’s natural efficiency in processing information in sets of three, making it easier to manage and execute tasks. Daily Routine Integration: Simi suggests integrating the 5Q’s formula into existing morning routines, helping to enhance productivity and focus right from the start of the day.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  7. 8 JAN

    Summer Session 2025 Highlights: How to master your sales technique

    Looking for inspiration to kick-start the new year? Check out our summer session highlights for the best advice we've heard from experts this year... In this episode, we're joined by David Fastuca, co-author of the B2B Sales Playbook. David, who has successfully built a $150 million sales pipeline and scaled a SaaS business in a competitive market, shares his expertise on developing a simple, repeatable sales system that stands out from the pushy tactics many dread. We'll explore key aspects like the impact of AI on sales, the importance of having a structured sales operating system, and actionable insights for overcoming common sales challenges. Whether you're struggling to land deals or looking to refine your sales approach, this episode is a must-listen for actionable strategies and practical advice. Tune in and transform your sales game today! Key Topics David Fastuca's Sales Journey and B2B Sales Playbook: Transitioned from graphic design to sales out of necessity. Co-authored the B2B Sales Playbook with Luigi Preston. The book is designed to be highly actionable and helps founders and salespeople establish a structured sales process. Provides templates, scripts, and resources to resolve sales roadblocks and enhance sales efficiency. Sales Operating System (Sales OS) and Multichannel Outbound Approach: A structured system is crucial for habit-forming and consistent sales results. Employs multichannel outreach, including email, phone, social selling, and instant messaging. Increases response rates and nurtures leads by diversifying communication methods. Helps in building confidence and understanding real market feedback for growth and refinement. Timestamped overview 00:00 Intro to Dave 05:24 Embrace AI or Fall Behind 06:44 AI Enhances Customer Engagement Efficiency 10:22 Human Oversight Required for AI 14:26 "Belief, Market Need, Feedback Loop" 18:36 Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Leads 20:47 Strategic Prospect Engagement Steps 22:55 Continuous Customer Understanding Essential 29:00 Personalized Messaging Over Generic Outreach 32:25 AI Analysis for Sales Insights 33:25 "B2B Sales Playbook Preview" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min

  8. 1 JAN

    Summer Session 2025 Highlights: How to set the right money mindset

    Summer's here, and we're taking a break, so we've put together a season of summer highlights for your listening pleasure. Kick back and enjoy! Money! How to manage it, how to make the most of it, and how to attract more of it, are questions we’d all like answered and this week’s guest, Clare Wood, has some practical solutions.  Clare is a sought-after money mentor, author, speaker and CPA-qualified accountant who helps service-based businesses to scale. She also runs The Profit Academy, an online school created to help business owners increase their profits exponentially. When it comes to money management, Clare knows just what it takes to help business owners make more money and create a life of financial freedom and fun. Episode notes In this episode, Clare unpacks: 1:00 - From 2nd-gen numbers nerd to corporate finance 4:03 – Why helping small businesses make more money is her passion 8:44 – The basics of small business finance + key metrics to know 11:50 – The difference between profit and loss, cash flow + budget 13:55 – Cash flow tracking: Excel vs accounting software 17:40 – How to keep reaching your profit goals 19:10 – Why you DON’T have to tell your customers why you’re raising prices 22:20 – Understanding your money mindset – and how to change it 28:05 – The power of a growth mindset for entrepreneurs 29:05 – Sales strategies – growing your existing clients/customers 31:40 – Unlocking your money dreams and desires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
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4.8
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Flying Solo
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    486
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pinstripe Media