Let’s Start a Business

bryconsultingllc

Let’s Start a Business is a raw and real journey into the world of entrepreneurship. Join me as I navigate the highs, the lows, and everything in between while building my own business from the ground up. From setting up systems to overcoming setbacks, I’ll share the lessons I learn, the strategies I test, and the wins (and fails) along the way. If you’re starting your own business or just thinking about it, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes. Let’s do this together!

Episodes

  1. 06/06/2025

    Building Bold: Shivam Maurya on Learning in Public, Pivoting Fast & Launching Fearlessly

    In this Founder Series episode of Let’s Start a Business, business strategist and systems expert Megan McDonell interviews Shivam Maurya — the developer and entrepreneur behind PWM (Programming With Maurya), explainGitHub, RepoFlicks, and The Production Gurus. Shivam shares his journey from running free Python classes on Google Meet during the pandemic to launching multiple tech platforms that support developers and AI enthusiasts around the world. His story is a masterclass in bootstrapping, building in public, and launching before you feel ready. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ The founder mindset that helped him launch (and pivot) countless tech projects ✨ The lessons he wishes he’d known back in 2020 when starting out ✨ How he's helping software developers, product teams, and engineering leaders save time and ship faster with tools like:  🔹 ExplainGitHub – https://explaingithub.com  🔹 RepoFlicks – https://repoflicks.com  🔹 The Production Gurus – https://lnkd.in/eqQfsS4F We also dive into: How mentoring students led to real business opportunities His strategy for launching 12 platforms in 12 months Product development challenges, client partnerships, and navigating burnout The power of learning in public as a solo founder and product builder Whether you're an indie hacker, developer, tech founder, or aspiring entrepreneur — this episode is filled with practical insights on product-market fit, systems thinking, and scaling without burnout. 💬 Connect with Shivam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivam--maurya/ 🔗 Learn more about Megan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megefficiencyedge 📅 Book a free systems strategy call: https://calendly.com/mcdonell-meganl/new-meeting Subscribe to Let’s Start a Business for honest founder stories, startup strategy, and tactical advice for growing your business with intention.

    36 min
  2. 05/09/2025

    A Week in the Life of a Solo Entrepreneur: Workflow, Networking & Staying Consistent

    Running your own business means wearing all the hats—from client work and relationship-building to handling admin, taxes, and social media. In this episode, I walk you through what a typical week looks like for me as a solo entrepreneur. You’ll hear how I plan my week on Sunday nights, how I stay consistent with outreach and social media content, and why networking is non-negotiable for me—especially while working remotely. Plus, you’ll get real talk on how I manage my time, keep my creativity up, and navigate the chaos (including my very active dogs!). In this episode, I cover: How I structure my week (Sunday planning through Friday wrap-ups) My Monday morning outreach and relationship-building process Social media habits I’m developing for consistency Staying connected as a remote solo entrepreneur Balancing strategy, systems, and the realities of running a business solo Whether you're a freelancer, coach, content creator, or small business owner, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the mindset and systems that keep things moving. 🔁 New episodes drop every Friday 🐶 Warning: my dogs might make a guest appearance! — If this episode resonates, don’t forget to rate, review, and share with another entrepreneur. #SoloEntrepreneur #ProductivityTips #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurWorkflow #SmallBusinessOwner #TimeManagement #FreelancerLife #WorkFromHome #NetworkingTips

    19 min
  3. 04/11/2025

    FREE Tools & Resources for Solo Entrepreneurs | Mentorship, Planning Help & More

    Are you a solo entrepreneur trying to do it all yourself? In this episode of Let’s Start a Business, I break down some of the best free tools and resources that will help you organize your business, streamline your workflow, and find expert mentorship — even if you're on a tight budget. Whether you're a content creator, coach, freelancer, or small business owner, this guide will give you the practical tools to start and grow your business with clarity and confidence. ✅ Resources Mentioned: SCORE.org – Free business mentoring & templates SBDC – Local small business consulting WBC – Support for women entrepreneurs VBOC – Veteran-focused business resources MicroMentor.org – Find a free business mentor SBA Learning Platform – Free online courses CO by U.S. Chamber – Templates, articles & guides Google Drive – File organization & collaboration Otter.ai – AI transcription for meetings ChatGPT – Research, brainstorming, and writing help Canva – Graphic design for social & branding Figma – UI/UX and collaborative planning ClickUp – Project and task management All of these tools either have completely free tiers or free versions to help you get started without the overwhelm. 💼 Let’s Work Together: If you’re looking for help building systems or organizing your business, connect with me on LinkedIn: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/megefficiencyedge/ 🗓️ New episodes every Friday. solo entrepreneur, free business tools, project management, small business resources, business mentor, SCORE, startup tips, business coaching, women in business, productivity for entrepreneurs, small biz systems

    14 min
  4. 03/28/2025

    🎙️ Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Building Strong Collaborations | Let’s Start a Business Ep. 2

    🚀 Ever felt like you’re not good enough? Like you don’t belong in the space you’re trying to grow in? That’s imposter syndrome, and in this episode of Let’s Start a Business, I’m getting real about how it hit me hard this week. I’ll share how I pushed through self-doubt, what I’ve learned from collaborating with others, and the systems I use to stay organized while networking and building meaningful connections. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How I dealt with imposter syndrome and got back on track ✅ The biggest mistakes & lessons I’ve learned from collaborations ✅ My process for reaching out and building trust with potential partners ✅ How I keep track of collaborations with an easy-to-follow system 🎯 If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, this episode is for you! ✔ Learn how to silence self-doubt and take action ✔ Build relationships based on trust and authenticity ✔ Stay organized and track your networking efforts for growth 👉 Let’s Connect! 💬 How do you handle imposter syndrome? What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from collaborations? Drop me a message! 📩 Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megefficiencyedge/ 🔔 Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode! #ImposterSyndrome #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #CollaborationTips #SmallBusinessSuccess #NetworkingTips #Freelancer #LetsStartABusiness

    22 min

About

Let’s Start a Business is a raw and real journey into the world of entrepreneurship. Join me as I navigate the highs, the lows, and everything in between while building my own business from the ground up. From setting up systems to overcoming setbacks, I’ll share the lessons I learn, the strategies I test, and the wins (and fails) along the way. If you’re starting your own business or just thinking about it, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes. Let’s do this together!