Staying Solo

Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business
  • 4.8 (72)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Growing a solo service business is tough. It’s even harder when you’re bombarded with BS advice that steers you away from your values and why you started your business in the first place. This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings. Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in years, miss the mark on today's market realities. Maggie Patterson, a service business owner for over 19 years, understands that to stay solo, you need to know what matters to you, what works for you, and what you should completely ignore. In each episode, she examines one piece of conventional business advice to discover how it may hurt your business or be completely wrong for you as a solo business owner. Join Maggie for real talk to help you avoid burnout or the desire to entirely burn down your business to open a flower shop, book store, or cat cafe. (Because those cats won’t pay the bills.) (Formerly the BS-Free Service Business Show)

  1. 4D AGO

    The Truth About Your Offers (And How to Get Them Right)

    Most offer advice is a ticking time bomb—created for businesses nothing like yours by people who haven’t worked with an actual client in years. It’s overhyped, overcomplicated, and entirely out of touch. From the mythical signature offer to the never-ending offer ladder, this advice isn’t built for solo service providers but for mass-market, one-size-fits-all business models. How do you create offers that actually work for your business in 2025? Topics discussed in this episode include: Why the advice about offers is so out of touch. The trap of the signature offer and why you need to steer clear.  Using The Strategy Stack to create offers people will buy. The O.F.F.E.R.S. Audit and how to do one for your service business.  For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    15 min

  2. FEB 10

    The Strategy Stack: How to Actually Sell Your Services

    As a solo service provider, you’ve heard it before—nail the basics, then keep growing. But business isn’t static, and neither is your strategy. As you evolve, so should your foundation. Meet the Strategy Stack—a framework to help you refine and strengthen your business, one layer at a time. In this episode, I’m breaking down the Strategy Stack—what it is, how each layer fits together (because they have to), and how to keep your business on track, no matter what changes. Topics discussed in this episode include: Why we often skip the basics and overcomplicate things.  What is the Strategy Stack? Breaking down all 5 layers (in order) and why they matter to your business.  The biggest mistakes people make with these fundamental, strategic parts of your business and how to avoid them.  For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    23 min
  3. Enough Already: Making Money with Meaning for Solo Service Business Owners

    FEB 3

    Enough Already: Making Money with Meaning for Solo Service Business Owners

    Everyone's chasing six or seven figures like it's the ultimate goal—but is it really?  The truth is that revenue without purpose can leave you overworked, overwhelmed, and wondering if you’ve built a business or a burden. Success isn’t just about making more money. It’s about making money that actually supports your life and goals. So, how do you break free from the revenue rat race and build a business that serves YOU?  In this episode, we’re breaking down how you can approach business in a way that gets you out of the trap of constantly doing more and making more.  Topics discussed in this episode include: What it means to make money with meaning. Why do so many of us get caught in the constant cycle of hustling? How to recognize when you’re chasing the wrong goals. Three specific steps to make money with meaning. What happens when you make money with meaning?  For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    28 min
  4. Boring Is Better: Building the Business You’ve Always Needed

    JAN 27

    Boring Is Better: Building the Business You’ve Always Needed

    You’re burnt out from the grind, drowning in noise, and questioning whether the version of success we were all sold was ever worth it. Sound familiar?  Hustle culture promised us freedom, but all it delivered was stress, overwork, and businesses that feel more like a trap. We’ve been told that bigger is always better, that scaling is the only way forward, and that if we’re struggling, we just need to “hire more” and push harder. But what if the real secret to success isn’t more—it’s less? In this episode, we’re tearing down the myths of hustle culture and exploring a radically different approach: building a "boring" business that works for you.  Topics discussed in this episode include: Why chasing endless growth, big revenue, and scaling at all costs leads to burnout and dissatisfaction. How the entrepreneurship industry profits from pushing unsustainable success models. Why a simple, stable, and sustainable service business is the smarter, long-term choice and how a more intentional business can be more fulfilling. Why a well-structured business provides peace, stability, and long-term success. Why you should shift from expansion to strategic, values-aligned, and sustainable growth. How cutting unnecessary complexity creates a more efficient, drama-free business. Managing concerns around boredom, growth, and ambition. Actionable steps for building a boring business.  How prioritizing well-being, boundaries, and balance leads to long-term success. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    26 min
  5. Pivot or Persist? How to Plan Your Business’ Next Chapter

    12/09/2024

    Pivot or Persist? How to Plan Your Business’ Next Chapter

    Adaptation is key if you want to run a sustainable service business as a team.  What worked a year (or even a month) ago may be ineffective in the current market. What your clients want may have evolved, and your personal goals may have changed.  The tricky part can be understanding when it’s time to change things up or when it’s best to stay on your current course.  In this episode, we’re diving into how you can figure out your next move. Whether it’s refining what’s already working or reimagining what’s next, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make a confident decision. Topics discussed in this episode include: How the market has changed in the past few years why now may be the time to evolve. Signs you should persist on the path you’re on, including questions to determine if your business model is still working. Surefire signs it may be time for a pivot. Four key actionable steps you can take to help you decide between persisting or pivoting.  For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    18 min
  6. Planning Without the BS: How to Prep for the New Year Without Wasting Time

    12/02/2024

    Planning Without the BS: How to Prep for the New Year Without Wasting Time

    Traditional planning often fails solo business owners… Yet, everywhere you look, it’s the same old thing: big, bold goals, detailed action plans, and endless hype about setting yourself up for your “best year ever.” The problem? You don’t have endless resources to make all these big, lofty goals a reality. You’re a team of one, meaning your time and energy are finite resources, so you must plan accordingly.  In today’s episode, we’ll explore the three pillars of the Staying Solo Framework—space, salary, and strategy—to help you build a sustainable plan for the new year.  Topics discussed in this episode include: Why planning tends to go wrong for solo business owners. Defining what ‘enough’ looks like for you.  How to plan for specific pillars of the Staying Solo Framework: Space - protecting time and energy and managing your capacity. Salary - setting financial goals that matter and ensuring you’re paying yourself appropriately.  Strategy - aligning your business with your goals.  Focusing on what really matters in your business.  For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    13 min
  7. Boost Efficiency with AI While Keeping Your Integrity Intact

    11/25/2024

    Boost Efficiency with AI While Keeping Your Integrity Intact

    It seems like people are talking about AI everywhere you turn these days.  As a result, many of us are trying to figure out how AI fits into our business. And if it does have a place in what you do, what about those legit legal and ethical concerns? How can we use it in a way that doesn’t strip us of our creativity?  In this episode, I’m breaking it all down for you—the good, the bad, and the seriously thought-provoking.  Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a skeptic, or someone who just doesn’t want to fall down another rabbit hole, we’re diving into everything from its environmental impact to its creative possibilities. Topics discussed in this episode include: The environmental impact of AI. Legal and privacy concerns with AI. Is AI a creative catalyst or a distraction? Figuring out how AI fits into your business both practically and ethically. Opportunities for solo business owners to use AI. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    18 min
  8. Smart Packaging: How to Make Your Services Sellable

    11/18/2024

    Smart Packaging: How to Make Your Services Sellable

    Here’s the deal: packaging your services doesn’t have to be overcomplicated.  Forget the endless “value ladders” and 15-step sales funnels, your clients just want something simple and easy to understand.  In this episode, we discuss how to package your services so they’re simple, clear, and—most importantly—sellable. Topics discussed in this episode include: The problem with packaging: why is it often so overcomplicated? Why packaging services is about more than just listing what’s being offered. Understanding the realities of the current market Practical steps on how to make your services more sellable. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode, and you can get Staying Solo updates by email by signing up here.

    14 min
See All (437)

    4.8
    out of 5
    72 Ratings

    About

    Growing a solo service business is tough. It’s even harder when you’re bombarded with BS advice that steers you away from your values and why you started your business in the first place. This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings. Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in years, miss the mark on today's market realities. Maggie Patterson, a service business owner for over 19 years, understands that to stay solo, you need to know what matters to you, what works for you, and what you should completely ignore. In each episode, she examines one piece of conventional business advice to discover how it may hurt your business or be completely wrong for you as a solo business owner. Join Maggie for real talk to help you avoid burnout or the desire to entirely burn down your business to open a flower shop, book store, or cat cafe. (Because those cats won’t pay the bills.) (Formerly the BS-Free Service Business Show)

    Information

    • Creator
      Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business
    • Years Active
      2016 - 2025
    • Episodes
      437
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Copyright Scoop Studios 2016 to 2024
    • Show Website
      Staying Solo

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada