Thinking Solo

Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA
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Thinking Solo is a podcast for solo and very small business owners who are building real businesses in the real world — therapists, private practice doctors, engineers, marketers, creators, and side entrepreneurs. Hosted by Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA, the show blends practical money guidance with the human side of going solo: the uncertainty, the momentum, the setbacks, and the habits that keep you moving forward. You’ll hear conversations with entrepreneurs about how they operate, what they’ve learned the hard way, and what they do to stay sharp — plus solo-focused episodes from Ryan with tip

  1. 2일 전

    What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Write Off for Your Business

    Are you maximizing your small business tax deductions or leaving money on the table? In this episode, we break down how to navigate IRS business expenses so you can stay compliant and keep more of what you earn. Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA, clarifies the often-confusing world of "write-offs." We dive into the specific rules for solo entrepreneurs, helping you distinguish between legitimate deductions and common tax mistakes that could trigger an audit. What you'll learn in this video: • The IRS definition of "ordinary and necessary" business expenses • How to correctly claim the home office deduction and travel expenses • The truth about business meals and entertainment write-offs in 2026 • Critical record-keeping habits to protect your small business from audits • Why tax planning is more effective than just chasing deductions Stop relying on social media for tax advice. This guide for 1099 contractors and freelancers provides a strategic framework for reporting income accurately while utilizing legal business tax breaks to support your long-term financial health. Whether you’re a new business owner or have been self-employed for years, this episode helps clarify what you can (and can’t) write off so you can avoid mistakes and feel more confident at tax time. — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/ Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Write Off for Your Business

  2. 4일 전

    Building an Estate Plan for Your Business

    In this episode of Thinking Solo, host Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA, discusses why entrepreneurs may need to look beyond their companies for long-term financial security. While building a business is a major milestone, creating a personal financial strategy that exists independently can help mitigate risk and protect your family's future. Learn how intentional planning outside of your business operations can provide the flexibility needed for life's many transitions. In this episode: • Why relying solely on your business for retirement may create significant financial risks • How separating business success from personal wealth can improve your long-term security • Understanding how retirement planning strategies differ for the self-employed and entrepreneurs • Why protecting your income and family should be a priority in every strategy • How diversifying investments outside your company could lead to more stable outcomes • Common financial planning mistakes that business owners might consider avoiding for growth • Ways a comprehensive plan provides essential flexibility during major life and business transitions • How intentional planning helps you pursue the freedom you initially built your business for Building a successful business is a significant achievement, but creating a personal legacy requires careful, intentional strategy. Speak with a qualified financial professional to determine which planning options may be appropriate for your situation. #EstatePlanning #BusinessOwner #FinancialPlanning #Entrepreneurship #WealthManagement #ThinkingSolo #RetirementPlanning — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    Building an Estate Plan for Your Business

  3. 7월 30일

    The Private Practice Checklist

    Starting a private practice comes with unique financial responsibilities. In this episode of Thinking Solo, host Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA, walks through a practical financial checklist that can help business owners build a solid foundation. While this discussion is particularly relevant for therapists, psychologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, the principles can be applied to entrepreneurs across various service-based industries.  In this episode, you'll learn: • Why taking action while planning can be critical for your business launch • Considerations for choosing the right business structure for your profession • The importance of separating personal and business finances from the start • Bookkeeping tools that may help your business stay organized • Approaches to preparing for self-employment taxes • Replacing benefits when transitioning from a traditional job • How to calculate the revenue your business may need to generate • Why pricing strategies should account for taxes, insurance, and overhead Whether you are launching a private practice or a new service-based business, this episode offers a roadmap to help you navigate your early entrepreneurial journey and focus on building a business that supports your long-term goals.  #PrivatePractice #FinancialPlanning #SmallBusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #ThinkingSolo #FinancialChecklist — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    The Private Practice Checklist

  4. 7월 24일

    Fiduciary Advisor

    In this episode of Thinking Solo, I’m cutting through the industry jargon that confuses so many business owners. We’re breaking down the critical differences between fiduciary, fee-only, and fee-based financial advisors, and why choosing the wrong one can cost you more than just fees. It can cost you your business growth. Financial planning isn't just about investments; it's about making sure your advisor's compensation model aligns with your family’s and business's goals, not theirs. Plus, I share an unexpected business lesson on innovation and avoiding complacency inspired by Toy Story 5. In this episode, you'll learn: • The Fiduciary Standard: What it actually means for your money. • Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based: Spotting the hidden conflicts of interest. • The "Advisor Interview": Questions every business owner should ask before hiring. • Holistic Growth: Why your financial plan must go beyond just insurance and portfolios. • Innovation Lessons: How to avoid the "Toy Story 5" trap of stagnation in your business. Whether you're hiring your first advisor or questioning your current relationship, this episode provides the practical framework you need to make an informed, confident decision. #FinancialAdvisor #Fiduciary #FinancialPlanning #FeeOnlyAdvisor #BusinessOwnerTips #ThinkingSoloPodcast #ToyStory5 #WealthManagement #SmallBusinessFinance — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    Fiduciary Advisor

  5. 6월 25일

    Managing Variable Income as a Business Owner

    Variable income can make financial planning feel messy, especially for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, private practice owners, and self-employed professionals. When income goes up and down, it can be hard to know how much to pay yourself, how much to save, and how to keep building wealth without letting fear drive every decision. In this episode of Thinking Solo, Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA breaks down practical ways business owners can manage uneven income, create a financial buffer, save for retirement, and avoid the lifestyle creep that can quietly eat away at long-term wealth. He also connects the entrepreneurial mindset to Close Encounters of the Third Kind and explores the difference between healthy ambition and building a business at all costs. In this episode ✅ Why variable income creates fear for solo entrepreneurs and business owners ✅ How to decide what to pay yourself from the business ✅ Why your personal spending directly impacts business profitability ✅ The importance of building a business buffer account ✅ How much cash to keep inside the business for slower months ✅ Why SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k)s can help self-employed professionals build long-term wealth ✅ How lifestyle creep can prevent higher income from becoming higher net worth ✅ Why business growth should also mean increasing your savings rate ✅ What Close Encounters of the Third Kind reveals about obsession, entrepreneurship, and building a business for the right reasons Building wealth with variable income is not about reacting to every strong or weak month. It is about creating systems that help you stay steady, protect yourself during downturns, and consistently move money toward your long-term goals. For solo entrepreneurs, the goal is not just to build a bigger business. It is to build a better life. That means saving intentionally, managing cash flow wisely, and making sure your work supports your family and future instead of becoming an unhealthy obsession. Want help making smarter financial decisions as a solo entrepreneur? Visit thinkingcapfinancial.com, subscribe to the Thinking Solo YouTube channel, and connect with Ryan Derousseau on LinkedIn. #SoloEntrepreneur #VariableIncome #SelfEmployed #BusinessOwnerFinance #WealthBuilding #FinancialPlanning #Solo401k #SEPIRA #Entrepreneurship #ThinkingSolo — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/  Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    Managing Variable Income as a Business Owner

  6. 6월 18일

    Estimating Taxes

    Self-employed? Then listen up: revenue is not profit, and profit is what really matters. In this episode of Thinking Solo, Ryan breaks down one of the biggest financial traps business owners fall into: getting paid, feeling flush, and forgetting that taxes are coming. If you’re running your own business, estimated taxes are not optional planning fluff. They are part of running the business like an adult. Ryan walks through why self-employed professionals need to start with expected profit, account for self-employment tax, set aside money consistently, review their numbers quarterly, and actually pay estimated taxes on time. Because nothing crushes momentum faster than thinking your business is doing great, only to get hit with a tax bill you were not prepared for. What You’ll Learn ✅ Why revenue can give business owners a false sense of success ✅ Why profit matters more than top-line sales ✅ How self-employment tax can surprise new business owners ✅ Why setting aside a consistent percentage for taxes can help avoid panic later ✅ The importance of quarterly reviews and updated estimates ✅ Why actually paying estimated taxes may give you a clearer picture of business cash flow ✅ How penalties and interest can make an already painful tax bill worse If you are self-employed, taxes need to be built into your business process from the beginning. The goal is not to guess perfectly. The goal is to avoid surprises, stay consistent, and understand what your business is actually producing after expenses and taxes. Also in This Episode Ryan wraps up with a review of the 1984 cult classic Repo Man, starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. It is strange, scrappy, funny, and weirdly fitting for anyone who appreciates the chaos of trying to make your own way. — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/ Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    Estimating Taxes

  7. 6월 16일

    Setting Up Your Business

    Going self-employed can feel exciting, freeing, and completely overwhelming all at once. You’re no longer just doing the work. You’re now responsible for the business bank accounts, taxes, insurance, retirement savings, cash reserves, and figuring out how much you actually need to earn to make the whole thing work. In this episode of Thinking Solo, Ryan Derousseau breaks down five key financial systems every solo business owner or self-employed professional should consider putting in place early. Whether you are just starting out or already earning revenue, these steps can help create more clarity between your business finances and personal life. Ryan covers why separating business and personal expenses matters, how to think about tax savings before tax season arrives, what benefits you may need to replace after leaving traditional employment, and why cash reserves are so important when income is inconsistent. He also walks through how to work backward from your income goal so your pricing is tied to a real plan instead of a guess. This episode is especially helpful for freelancers, consultants, therapists, creatives, advisors, and other solo business owners who want a cleaner financial foundation. In This Episode: ✅ Why mixing personal and business finances creates unnecessary confusion ✅ How to build a tax system before a large tax bill catches you off guard ✅ Why self-employed individuals need to replace employee benefits intentionally ✅ How business and personal cash reserves serve different purposes ✅ Why your target income should influence your pricing and workload ✅ How to create more financial clarity as your business grows Self-employment is not just about earning more revenue. It is about creating systems that help you understand what is working, what needs attention, and how your business can support your personal life without creating unnecessary financial stress. A strong setup does not have to be complicated. But the earlier you create separation, tax discipline, benefit planning, cash reserves, and pricing clarity, the easier it becomes to make better decisions as the business grows. #SelfEmployed #SmallBusinessFinance #FinancialPlanning #SoloBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurFinance #FreelancerFinance #ThinkingSolo — Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP Email: Ryan@unitedfpg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/ Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

    Setting Up Your Business

  8. 5월 29일

    Episode #13: Managing Entrepreneur Syndrome:

    In today's episode, Ryan discusses an issue that both drives entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, but can also leave them later in life with very little to their name, other than the business they created. This is something he dubs entrepreneur syndrome, and it's the common strategy of only investing in the businesses you create, instead of diversifying out. It's something that takes hold in your 30s, and 40s, but you don't see the impact of the decisions until your 50s and 60s. By then, it's more and more difficult to recover. Ryan shares his thoughts on why this persists and ways to protect against the mindset, so you don't find yourself overly reliant on the business. At the end of the episode, Ryan also delves into his latest movie review: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the 1981 classic from Steven Spielberg.Subscribe and stick around, and in the meantime… keep grinding!Connect with Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EAEmail: Ryan@unitedfpg.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/ Website: https://thinkingcapfinancial.com/

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Thinking Solo is a podcast for solo and very small business owners who are building real businesses in the real world — therapists, private practice doctors, engineers, marketers, creators, and side entrepreneurs. Hosted by Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA, the show blends practical money guidance with the human side of going solo: the uncertainty, the momentum, the setbacks, and the habits that keep you moving forward. You’ll hear conversations with entrepreneurs about how they operate, what they’ve learned the hard way, and what they do to stay sharp — plus solo-focused episodes from Ryan with tip

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  • 제작진
    Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA
  • 방송 연도
    2026년
  • 에피소드
    19
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    © Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, EA
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    Thinking Solo