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The BS-Free Service Business Show

The BS-Free Service Business show takes you behind the scenes of running a business as a freelancer, creative, or agency owner, focusing on fluff-free lessons to help you grow your business and get paid. You're in the right place if you work with clients and want to create a simple AND sustainable service business. Your host is Maggie Patterson, the creator of BS-Free Business, a content production agency owner, and a self-employed writer and consultant for nearly 20 years. You can learn more about the podcast and BS-Free Business at http://www.bsfreebusiness.com and subscribe to never miss an episode.
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Now displaying: 2019
Dec 16, 2019

When you run a service-based business, relationships are the name of the game. They are the true currency of your business — not money. 

If you've ever wondered HOW to make those relationships happen in a way that feels both organic and REAL, then today's episode is for you. My guest, Lisa Princic, shares what it means to "scale deep" and why focusing on creating relationships that are more meaningful with fewer people is critical for service business owners. 

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/building-business-relationships/

Dec 9, 2019

November was proof that sometimes the best-laid plans go awry when life happens. 

In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I talk about taking a pause to prioritize my health while simultaneously dealing with some growing pains and shifts in our client load. I’m keeping it real and sharing what a month that was pretty much “survival” mode looked like.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-november-2019/

Dec 2, 2019

Planning is a necessity when you run a business, but in the online business world, it's a big old commodity. Planning is seen as the answer to everything, so there’s no shortage of courses and services to take your money in exchange for some regurgitated planning advice. 

In this episode, I'm talking all about planning with intention (while not falling into the trap of procrasti-planning) and how to create annual plans that actually improve your business results in the coming year. I’m breaking down my FIVE specific things for my annual plan to help you get focused on what matters most.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/annual-business-planning/

Nov 25, 2019

Just because you’re an entrepreneur running a business, it doesn’t mean you relish being a leader. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I’m talking to leadership mentor Bekka Prideaux who’s helped me refine my leadership style in a way that works for me and is of service to my team.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/leadership-mindset/

Nov 18, 2019

October was all about getting ready to take time off and then actually being away on vacation, so even with 31 days, it felt like a really short month — especially when I was putting together my notes to do this recap! 

In this episode, I talk about how I prepped clients and worked ahead while leaning on my team so I could take a week and a half off at the end of the month. I'm also sharing the details of the new year-long mastermind for 2020, where we’ll be focused on growing and scaling an agency. 

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-october-2019/   

Nov 11, 2019

When I started Scoop, I really had no idea what I was in for as an agency owner when it came to making and managing money. Talk about a learning curve!

Over the last four years, I’ve had to master new money management skills, which is why I wish I’d heard everything that guest Christina Sjahli shares about budgeting, cash flow, and other fundamentals in this new interview. 

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/christina-sjahli/

Nov 4, 2019

Have you ever thought it would be nice to have someone to be the peanut butter to your jelly as a business owner? The Rory to your Lorelai?

That’s exactly what we’re talking about in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast where my integrator, my trusty #2, Sara Freeburn, dishes up everything about her role, what it’s really like to work with me, the challenges and growing pains we’ve had, and much more. 

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/working-with-an-integrator/

Oct 28, 2019

This week, I’m bringing you another behind-the-scenes look at an agency. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we’re taking a peek into Tressa Beheim’s boutique agency, where she and her team provide a full range of services to female entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Tressa shares how she’s gone from a tentative entrepreneur to the boss of a full-service boutique agency, how she built her team slowly, and how she’s constantly looking for ways to optimize.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/tressa-beheim/

Oct 21, 2019

It’s time for another recap, and September was ALL SYSTEMS GO around here.

In this episode, I talk about lead gen, landing new clients, and how all that activity didn’t necessarily result in an immediate bump in revenue, as well as a tough decision about Small Business Boss.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-september-2019/

Oct 14, 2019

Nothing, and I mean, nothing beats a real-life behind-the-scenes look at how a business is run. So in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media joins us to share how she’s grown her agency, her team, and her client list.

In this episode, Kate drops so much knowledge that will inspire you as an agency owner, or any type of service business owner, on culture, letting your team fly, and the realities of being the boss.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/kate-ahl/

Oct 7, 2019

New month = a new theme here on the Small Business Boss podcast, and this month we’re going deep into the agency model.

We hear about agencies as THE way to scale a service business all the time, but there’s a lot more to it than hiring some people, getting some clients and being well on our way to multiple 7 figures.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what you need to grow an agency business based on my years of experience owning one, working in one, and partnering with many more.

If you’re interested in growing an agency OR already running one, this episode is for you.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/building-an-agency/

Sep 30, 2019

We all know the stereotype of a slimy salesperson who manipulates people into buying their product or service. And that stereotype is something many of us buy into as we sell our own services.

We simply don’t want to be seen as greedy, pushy, aggressive, or manipulative. So, instead, we fear sales, or worse yet, avoid selling at all.

I’m here to tell you in this week’s episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, that sales is a skill you must master, and you can do it in a way that’s helpful to your potential clients. I’m dishing up practical strategies for streamlining your sales process AND getting rid of the stress for good.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/sales-as-a-freelancer/

Sep 23, 2019

Nearly two years ago when I started doing recap episodes, I did it as a way to share what was really happening behind-the-scenes at Small Business Boss and at my content marketing agency, Scoop Studios.

After all, aren’t we all a bit tired of income claims and all sorts of other BS that’s just smoke and mirrors?

In the August recap, I’m sharing a peek into 2020 plans, how things are going money-wise, and how I need to get my booty in gear if I’m going to meet Q3 revenue goals.

Get the scoop here
https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-august-2019/

Sep 16, 2019

When it comes to pricing, there’s a million different models and strategies, and it can feel pretty freakin’ overwhelming. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, guest Matt Baker from Freshbooks shares how to get started with value-based pricing, how to make sure you’re pricing so you get paid appropriately, and why pricing should be something you experiment with.

You can listen to the show on the Small Business Boss website on your podcast platform of choice including Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, OverCast and others.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/value-based-pricing-for-freelancers/

Sep 9, 2019

Back in 2005, when I decided to quit my job and start my own business, little did I know how much owning my own business would push me as a person and teach me countless lessons.

As a freelancer, a lot of those lessons were hard, uncomfortable, and at times, incredibly stressful, so in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I share 10 lessons I learned the hard way. Consider this my gift to you as a boss — no matter where you are on your journey — to help save you the suffering.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/lessons-for-freelancers/

Sep 2, 2019

Back when I started my business, we didn’t have all the fancy lingo and versions of -preneur that we use now. You either owned a business, which basically implied that you had a brick and mortar store or an office somewhere, or you were a hired gun, a solo show that did contract work as a freelancer. 

Since then, the world of work has changed dramatically, and where I used to get a raised eyebrow and a look of skepticism when I shared what I did for work, now I’m met with far more respect and curiosity. The truth is, more and more people are stepping out of traditional work, and the idea of being the boss isn’t so crazy anymore.

In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we’re talking about the freelancer business model — especially the #1 thing you need to work on as a boss.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/freelance-business-model/

Aug 26, 2019

Money talk is a double-edged sword. As a business owner, we need to get comfortable with constantly having conversations about money, but what happens when that talk is misleading or downright wrong?

That’s what I’m tackling with guest Sarah from Yes and Yes in this brand new episode. We talk about the prosperity gospel, redefining success, finding happiness, and escaping the trap of a “fancy” life.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/prosperity-gospel

Aug 19, 2019

Newsflash: Scaling doesn’t equal success for your business.

There’s a fundamental misconception in the online business world that scale immediately means more money and that magically scaling up your business is the only way to meet our money goals.

Plus, the very definition of what “scale” actually is, well, it’s misunderstood.

We need to stop chasing scale, and focus in on what most of us really want, which is to MAKE AND KEEP  more money in our business. 

In this episode of the Small Business Boss I discuss:

🔥The online obsession with scale and how it’s actually the wrong thing for a lot of businesses. 

🔥The path to making and keeping more money as a service business owner. 

🔥The fastest way to be more profitable that you can implement starting TODAY.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/stop-obsessing-over-scale/

Aug 12, 2019

If you’ve been around me for a hot minute you know exactly how I LIVE for summer. That means the July recap giving you the behind-the-scenes scoop of what’s happening is really focused on a lot of deep thoughts and this one thing that’s on my nerves.

In this episode, I share what’s up, as well as the question I’ve been hearing over and over for the last year that quite frankly needs to stop. 

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/recap-july-2019/

Aug 5, 2019

Have you ever wondered why you do the things you do? Or why exactly you’re throwing up obstacles in your own path with stories and reasons why you can’t do certain things? In this episode, Jo Casey is going to help us unpack this and so much more.

You’ve probably heard that there’s no greater self-development journey than running your own business. And I know that’s definitely been the case for me. Being a boss has stretched me and pushed me in ways that I never expected and constantly forces me to deal with what’s really going on in my head. 

I’m sure it’s much the same for you, so I invited Jo Casey to help us examine why we do what we do and how we may be holding ourselves back. And while much of our discussion does speak to feminine conditioning, there are some amazing lessons in here — no matter what gender you are.

Get the scoop here:
www.smallbusinessboss.co/episode177

Jul 29, 2019

It’s time for another recap. This month, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes of June 2019 and sharing all the ins and outs, ups and downs of the month that was.

In this episode I share: 

*Why I’m so twitchy right now about the agency and what my game plan is

*The big a-ha moment I had after a client asked for help on a specific project 

*The new microsite we’re spinning out of Small Business Boss 

*What I’m really thinking about VIP days and where they fit in my biz

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/june-2019-recap/

Jul 22, 2019

This is a greatest hits replay from July 30, 2018.

If you look at the world of online businesses, it often seems like everyone and their dog is talking about their new signature product or program. Services get forgotten about or worse yet, completely bashed, when really, they can be the thing you need to create consistent income in your business.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Hailey Dale from Your Content Empire to talk about what goes on behind-the-scenes in her biz, how to find the right balance between having products and services, and some of the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way.

Get the inside scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/adding-services-for-stab

Jul 15, 2019

This is a greatest hits replay from September 24, 2018.

I'm talking with marketing expert Chrissie Wywrot to give you the inside scoop on how to get yourself more exposure, generate engagement, and highlight the best parts of your biz.

If you've been trying to figure out how to polish up your Linkedin profile or online brand to establish yourself as an expert in your field, this is the episode for you. Check it out.

Get the scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/marketing-yourself-on-linkedin/

Jul 8, 2019

This is a greatest hits replay from August 6, 2018

If you’ve ever thought about creating a signature service but decided not to, think again! A signature service is how you can show your expertise and puts everyone on notice that you’re a total boss who’s got it going ON.

In this episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about creating a signature service and how it can transform your business.

Get the inside scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/creating-your-signa

Jul 1, 2019

This is a greatest hits replay from June 25, 2018.

As a small business boss, I have a better handle on how things are progressing month over month, but the end of Q2 is still the perfect time to check in with your biz goals.

In this episode, I’m taking you through my mid-year checklist.

Get the inside scoop here:
https://smallbusinessboss.co/planning-and-goals/

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