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Staying Solo

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 20 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)
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Now displaying: February, 2024
Feb 26, 2024

You’re busy and booked but looking for ways to make more money.

Welcome to the service business owner’s dilemma!

In this episode of the ‘Real Cost Of’ series, I’m cutting the BS by debunking myths and unveiling the real costs of adding new income streams. 

Topics covered in this episode include:

  • The challenges of trying to grow your revenue when you’re booked out.

  • Why the one-to-many model for courses and programs is so enticing?  

  • The hidden costs of adding income streams. 

  • My personal experiences with launching one-to-many offers.

  • How adding this kind of offer is like starting another business. 

  • How much marketing do you need to make one-to-many offers work. 

  • The potential costs for the tech and skills you need for creating these new revenue streams. 

  • The financial implications and opportunity cost.

  • Alternative ways to add income streams without switching up your business model. 


For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.

To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Feb 19, 2024

Have you ever wondered what creating an agency costs?

If you’re wondering if it’s the right move for your service business, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode. 

In this installment of the 'Real Cost Of' series, I’m taking you behind the scenes and spilling the tea on the real costs of agency ownership, including the financial realities, the rollercoaster of leadership, and more. 

Topics covered in this episode include:

  • Answering the common question of transitioning from a solopreneur to a micro agency.

  • The appeal of creating an agency and why the real cost is more complex than expected.

  • The shift from solo CEO to team leader and what’s involved. 

  • Managing client expectations as you go from me to we. 

  • What you need to know about the potential personal costs of agency ownership. 

  • The highs (and lows) of working with a team.

For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.

To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Feb 12, 2024

Ready to uncover the must-haves and money pits in your solo business tech toolkit? 

In this episode of the 'Real Cost Of' series, we'll dig deep into the world of tech and tools for solopreneurs. Discover what's essential, what's extravagant, and the red flags to watch out for!\

Topic covered in this episode include:

  • How the tech stack used by solopreneurs varies based on business size and stage.

  • The essential tech tools for solopreneurs.

  • How to choose tech tools based on individual business needs, services offered, and skill level.

  • The risk of getting lured into buying unnecessary tools due to celebrity endorsements.

  • Yearly costs for different tech stacks.

  • How to consider both the financial and non-financial costs of tech tools.

  • A cautionary tale of investing in expensive tools without the necessary expertise to use them effectively.

  • The importance of tools enabling time-saving and simplicity rather than adding complexity and stress.


For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.

To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Feb 5, 2024

To kick off 2024, we’re back with a fresh new series called "The Real Cost Of”. 

Because let’s be real, we’re all tired of the smoke and mirrors. In this series, I’m giving you the unfiltered truth about the REAL costs of building and growing a service-based business. (And it’s not just about the money, it’s about everything else this journey can cost us.)

In this first episode, I’m sharing the surprising costs of growing a service business including: 

  • The distinction between cost and price in business.

  • Why the "real cost" is about way more than the money you spend. 

  • The myth of "client attraction" and why you can’t just wait for clients to come your way.

  • The emotional and energetic costs of dealing with clients and the importance of setting boundaries.

  • The personal trade-offs you make for freedom and flexibility when running a service business.

  • How you can protect against the emotional, energetic and physical costs of growing a service business. 


For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.

To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Be sure to subscribe to ensure you don’t miss the next episode in this series.

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