The Ordinary Business®️ Podcast | Solopreneur Business Growth and Lifestyle Business Strategies

Jess Freeman | Founder of the Ordinary Business®️ Network for Solopreneurs
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, workingmore hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. The Ordinary Business Podcast is for experienced business owners who want to build profitable businesses that support their live — not businesses their lives have to revolve around.

  1. 4d ago

    Networking for Solopreneurs Who Hate Networking (Inside The Ordinary Business Live)

    If you’re a solopreneur or lifestyle entrepreneur who just wants your business to run smoothly, pay the bills, and still leave room for—shock—doing laundry or taking a nap, this episode was basically made for you. I’m pulling back the curtain on The Ordinary Business Live (https://theordinarybusiness.com/live/)—an in-person event designed for service business owners and flexible-business fanatics who’ve been at it for years. No stiff keynotes, no awkward cocktail hours where you pray someone talks to you first. >> Donate to The Name Tag Fund! Whether you’re into marketing without social media, want more intentional entrepreneurship, or just want your next referral partner, I spill all the details on how this room actually helps people just like you. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Build real relationships that outlast social trends (and AI-written newsletters). Stop stressing over seven-figure milestones—profitable business is about running one that works for your actual life. Discover how intentional, small group connections beat awkward mixers for getting more clients and business freedom. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  2. 6d ago

    Why Catrina Charges the Same for 3 or 6 Month Packages as a Solopreneur

    Ever had a client project blow past its deadline because—surprise!—life happened? Or maybe you’ve found yourself knee-deep in scope creep, wondering how your “simple” service turned into an unpaid overtime gig? This episode with Dr. Catrina Mitchum (https://www.cmlearningdesign.com/) is for every solopreneur and lifestyle entrepreneur who’s ever wrestled with business boundaries while chasing business growth. Catrina explains why she dropped her done-for-you course builds. Clients recording their own videos meant projects ran late and kept growing past the original goals. She replaced them with done-with-you packages that have clear business boundaries. She shares how she helps clients pick the right one, what still makes her nervous about the model, and how clients can move to the slower package when life gets in the way. She also talks about running her business with a chronic illness, including sorting her tasks by how much brainpower and energy they take so she can choose what she's able to do on any given day. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Design your offers around client capacity, not just price tags or timelines. Set crystal-clear business boundaries so you can actually log off (even mid-week, even when life “lifes”). Build small business systems so you, your clients, and your sanity all get to stick around for the long haul. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  3. Oct 13

    What a No-Meetings Week Looks Like as a Solopreneur with Christy Johnson

    Ever wish you could hit “pause” on your solopreneur calendar without feeling guilty or losing clients? In this episode, Christy Johnson (https://christijohnsoncreative.com/), a joy-first coach, shares about her work life balance even non-morning people would envy. Forget the hustle culture flexes—this is real talk about how to steer your lifestyle business away from burnout and back to actual joy. (Shout out to our sponsor, Hailey! haileyrowe.com/discoverycalls) She gets blunt about the realities of building a flexible business that lets you serve your people and take guilt-free naps. Christy dives into: The mechanics (and messy behind-the-scenes) of blocking an entire week for NO meetings—yep, you read that right, a whole week without “quick Zooms” or forced networking. Why setting business boundaries is the unsung hero of profitable business growth in a world obsessed with client acquisition and 24/7 availability. How to gently (or not-so-gently) retrain your clients, your calendar, and maybe even yourself to protect your energy for the long haul. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Block off regular no-meetings days (or weeks!) to create space for deep work, recovery, and your own business ideas. Enforce friendly-but-firm boundaries—ordinary but thriving business owners don’t need to say yes to everything to get more clients or maintain a flexible business. Redefine productivity: it’s not about nonstop hustle, it’s about building small business systems that leave you refreshed, creative, and actually enjoying your life. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  4. Oct 6

    How Handling Burnout Made Aneisha's Solopreneur Business Better

    Ever wondered if “business growth” could mean something other than longer hours, bigger teams, and endless to-do lists? In this episode, I sit down with bookkeeping strategist Aneisha (https://www.yellowskybusiness.services/) for a brutally honest chat on burnout, business boundaries, and what it really looks like to build a profitable solopreneur business that puts sanity first. Yep, even lifestyle entrepreneurs get fried—so if you’ve ever wanted to hit pause (or just hit snooze for an extra hour), you’re definitely among your people. We tackle the messy stuff: signs of burnout you’re probably ignoring, how Aneisha ditched her people-heavy career and reimagined her service business for actual work life balance, and why client acquisition doesn’t have to mean sacrificing every free hour. If you’re tired of hustle culture and want a flexible business that fits your brain (especially if you’re neurodivergent or just plain human), this one’s for you. Spoiler: Anisha is not here for endless growth—she’s all about recovery, saying no, and business freedom on her own terms. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Recognize burnout early by noticing unexpected irritability or that “why do people exist?” mood. Build your business systems around your real needs—even if that means fewer clients or shorter projects. Give yourself permission to grow slowly (or not at all) and set boundaries that protect your energy and your income. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  5. Sep 29

    How Human Design Snuck into Caitlan's Therapy Business

    On this episode, Caitlan is letting you in on her favorite rebel business tactic: coloring outside the lines in business. If you’ve ever worried that your unconventional ideas make you “too much” for your industry, or if you’re tired of playing it safe just so you fit in with the cool kids (aka, the “should” police), this one’s for you. Caitlan shares about what happened when she brought Human Design into therapy, how a blizzard in Reykjavík could teach you about business, and why the best ideas usually come in the middle of the night when you’re delirious from parenthood and sleep deprivation. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways: Check in with yourself before chasing new ideas—if it feels like a “should,” it probably isn’t your thing. Give yourself permission to take small, brave steps outside the lines (fear’s normal, but so is finding your people on the other side). Take it one step at a time. She tested Human Design with clients who asked for it long before she talked about it publicly. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  6. Sep 22

    How Sara Royf Uses Free Audits to Get Warm Leads as a Solopreneur

    Ever felt allergic to those gimmicky "freebie" PDFs floating around the internet? (Yeah, me too.) In this episode, Sara Royf (https://www.sararoyf.com/) shares how she used free LinkedIn profile audits to grow her email list and get more clients, starting before she'd even quit her full-time job. Sara recorded 5 to 10 minute audits after work and posted the offer in local Facebook groups. About 100 audits in, a call with a local marketing whiz pushed her toward LinkedIn consulting, and people started asking her to just fix their profiles for them, which became her first paid service. Three years and 344 audits later, 12 people have bought directly and plenty more have referred her. She explains why a 3 to 4% conversion rate doesn't bother her and how to be helpful without giving away the farm. She also covers how she handed the audits to her client lead so the strategy keeps running while she's busy with client work. If you'd rather do the work after someone signs up than build a freebie that ends up in the digital graveyard, this one's for you. Want to see it in action? Request your own free LinkedIn profile audit: sararoyf.com/audit → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: https://www.theordinarybusiness.com → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy Key Takeaways Free audits grow your list because people get personal feedback on their own stuff, which no PDF can give them.Most people who get an audit won't buy. Sara made peace with that early, because the visibility and referrals more than make up for it.Keep each audit to 5 to 10 minutes with a simple format (a compliment, three opportunities, an invitation to talk) so the strategy doesn't eat your evenings.

  7. Sep 15

    Tracking What Matters: Small Business Systems for DIY Marketing with Tayler Hollman

    Ever sat there staring at your long to-do list, wondering why every “simple” marketing idea somehow multiplies like dirty laundry? I feel you. In this episode, I get real with Tayler—ordinary business owner, Enji co-founder (https://www.enji.co/), and black coffee enthusiast—about why having piles of good marketing ideas means nothing if you never actually do them. This chat dives into what it’s actually like to run your marketing by yourself, with messy weeks and half-finished projects front and center. Tayloer shares how Enji was built for regular business owners—yes, your people!—who want project management tools that help you plan, actually finish, and track your marketing (instead of collecting dust in yet another app you forget about). Whether you’re sick of Instagram, want to fire half your software, or keep asking, “Is this even working?”—this one’s for you. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways: Give your future self a break by actually documenting your marketing plan and tracking what works (and what’s a time suck). Stop letting the “shoulds” and internet pressure call the shots—cut the stuff not working, even if you like it (RIP, side podcast). Leverage ordinary project management (color-coding, scheduling, real notes!) to keep your marketing from devolving into chaos. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

  8. Sep 8

    Work Life Balance for Solopreneurs: Taking Extended Time Off Without Losing Clients

    Ever blinked and come back to 212 unread emails? Same. This group chat episode is about taking real time off, whether you call it a sabbatical, a vacation, or just ignoring Slack from your couch. If you've wondered how other solopreneurs actually build work life balance into their business without tanking their income, pull up a chair. This chat with Michelle (https://www.michellepontvert.com/), Rebecca (https://rebeccastanisic.com/), and Amanda (https://chaoscoordinationllc.com/) gets into the nitty gritty of planning real time away—batching content, prepping clients, and squashing the guilt that comes the minute you finally close your laptop. If you’re craving permission to step back—without some million-dollar-flex pressure—this is your episode. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Prep for time off by communicating early and batching work, even if it means things look wild before vacation. Trust that income can ebb and flow, and sometimes building a buffer (or letting go of FOMO) is what keeps you sane. Rehearse taking planned breaks. When life forces unexpected time off, your clients and your budget will already know how to handle it. Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, working more hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. Subscribe and follow!

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Are you a solopreneur who wants business growth without sacrificing the lifestyle business you actually wanted? Have you ever wondered if growing your business really has to mean building a team, workingmore hours or chasing someone else's version of success? What if staying small was the strategy, not the stepping stone? If that sounds like you, you're in the right place. The Ordinary Business Podcast is for experienced business owners who want to build profitable businesses that support their live — not businesses their lives have to revolve around.

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