1,000 Routes with Nick Bennett

In this episode, Marc Thomas, founder of Positive Human, mentor at TinySeed, and former Sr. Growth Marketer at Podia, traces an unlikely path from freelance journalism to co-founding doopoll, surviving a COVID-era near-meltdown, and ultimately reinventing himself as a lifecycle/email operator for SaaS. Marc shares the chaotic “we priced it in the hallway” moment, the lesson of raising money before true validation, and the four-day surge that took doopoll from 1.6M to 16M votes—and nearly torched the company with usage-based bills.He and Nick dig into the solopreneur head-game: optionality vs. salary, why Marc would take less money for more freedom, and how “punk” DIY energy: charisma, coaching, and seeing work through end-to-end wins in growth. Marc shares candid reflections on confidence dips, building pipeline without becoming your own worst client, and a pragmatic cash-flow system that lets him sleep at night while he eyes a return to software on his own terms.(00:00) Intro(00:29) Starting as a freelance journalist(01:58) Creative gigs lead to a voting tool idea(03:48) Building doopoll in four days(04:19) Landing a 25k deal on the spot(07:01) Fundraising before validation(08:51) From 1.6M to 16M votes and server crashes(10:32) Choosing stability and leaving doopoll(17:22) The banker vs. taxi driver analogy(20:52) Taking less money for more freedom(26:18) Emotional whiplash of solopreneurship(27:00) Lifecycle email and intersecting skills(30:26) Punk marketing and DIY growth(33:29) Learning charisma and coaching clients(43:24) Cash-flow forecasting and personal runway(45:39) Pipeline focus and new software projectsFollow Marc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammarcthomas Check out Positive Human: https://www.positivehuman.co/ Check out Tinyseed: https://tinyseed.com/ —Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/

In this episode, DemandMaven founder and growth strategist Asia Orangios shares her path from laid-off marketing lead to trusted advisor for PLG SaaS companies. What started as a solo consulting gig in 2018 evolved into a boutique growth consultancy—and along the way, Asia discovered that the real problem isn’t always marketing. It’s everything that comes after: product experience, activation, pricing, and turning demand into actual revenue.Asia reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of early entrepreneurship, the burnout cycles that pushed her to build a team, and the surprising role public speaking played in her pipeline. She opens up about managing ADHD as a founder, learning to delegate the work she once thought only she could do, and why her next act might just be as CEO of a SaaS company—not just a consultant to them.(00:00) Intro(00:47) How Asia became a solopreneur(03:19) Shifting to strategic growth consulting(06:27) Team building with ADHD in mind(11:02) Growth through delegation and feedback(25:53) Managing work and life demands(28:30) Using AI to grow smarter(29:22) Why speaking matters in business(29:48) Business impact of public speaking(36:34) Marketing opportunities beyond the usual(41:42) Overcoming doubts and embracing growthFollow Asia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asiaorangio/ Check out DemandMaven: https://demandmaven.io/ Check out Asia’s newsletter, The Work by DemandMaven: https://demandmaven.substack.com/ —Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/

In this episode, Scrappy ABM founder Mason Cosby talks about his unexpected journey from side hustle to multi-million-dollar business owner—all sparked by a desire to help his wife stay home with their newborn. Mason shares how an early $25K win in March 2023 snowballed—leading to $2.5M+ in revenue within just two and a half years—and how he’s scaling Scrappy ABM without debt, cold outreach, or compromising on his values.Mason reflects on the chaos of working 120-hour weeks with a postpartum partner, the painful lessons from firing seven contractors, and the shift from being the brand to building a team that can thrive without him. He also opens up about turning down a $6–7 million acquisition offer in pursuit of a bigger mission: equipping a million marketers with repeatable ABM playbooks by 2035.(00:00) Intro(00:29) Starting the solopreneur journey(00:53) Early successes and challenges(02:32) Transitioning to a real business(05:27) Scaling with contractors and employees(09:43) Lessons in hiring and growth(23:31) Scaling out for paternity leave(24:41) Hiring the right people(28:20) The role of a coach(31:11) Building a support network(35:23) Mason’s future goals and visionFollow Mason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoncosby/ Check out Scrappy ABM: https://scrappyabm.com —Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/

In this episode, brand director and filmmaker Tiger Joseph shares his path from cold-pitching clients on Twitter at 17 to building a content strategy consultancy rooted in creative alignment. Tiger reflects on his early work in the manosphere and internet marketing circles, the pivot from video production to advisory, and the mental toll of running a client-heavy agency.Tiger recounts how filming a documentary during El Salvador’s national election reshaped his perspective on freedom, control, and purpose. Tiger also explores how meditation, solitude, and refining his services helped him break away from burnout and reconnect with the kind of work that energizes him. He emphasizes the value of listening to your resistance, trusting your inner direction, and designing a business that supports both creative expression and long-term sustainability.(00:00) Intro(01:23) Building brands with transitioning founders(05:25) The reality of solopreneurship(09:50) The move to LinkedIn(13:45) The El Salvador documentary(17:57) From production to consulting(21:04) The challenges of agency work(26:10) Principle-based thinking in content strategy(27:50) The reality of YouTube(28:16) Execution and sustainability in content creation(29:39) Leveraging teams for content creation(31:04) The role of consultants and mentors(33:13) Balancing art and client expectations(35:00) Reflecting on past mistakes(36:03) The importance of meditation(39:32) Finding your flow in business(45:08) Avoiding hustle cultureFollow Tiger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tigerjoseph/Check out Tiger’s official website: https://tigerjoseph.com/ --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/

In this episode, brand voice expert Justin Blackman discusses his journey from working with major corporate brands to becoming a successful solopreneur. Justin reflects on his early freelancing attempts in 2014, the initial failures, and his return to stability with IHG. He recounts how a project writing 10,211 headlines in 100 days significantly impacted his career but also strained his personal life. Justin explores the importance of therapy and mindset work in overcoming self-doubt and establishing a successful business helping entrepreneurs define their personal brands. He also emphasizes the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal well-being.(00:00) Intro(01:09) Early freelance struggles(03:48) The 100 headlines project(06:24) Personal sacrifices and lessons learned(11:11) The turning point of mindset and therapy(16:08) The freedom of solopreneurship(21:26) The essence of brand voice(22:56) The challenge of deep thinking(27:24) The journey of iterations(29:50) The burden of success(33:17) Separating personal from professional successFollow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinblackman/ Check out Justin’s official website: https://justinblackman.com/ --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

In this episode, Sarah Brooks, founder of Website Mirror, shares her journey from freelance generalist to focusing on her signature website writing process. Sarah talks about how her "Website Mirror" offer came into focus, reflecting her unique process and how it helps clients stand out in a saturated market. She also discusses her early days of freelancing, navigating the pressures to take on any work, and the mental blocks she overcame to niche down and charge more for what she truly enjoys. Sarah emphasizes the power of authenticity and how being clear about the problem she solves has led to better connections with clients. She offers insight into building a business that balances creativity, authenticity, and growth.(00:00) Intro(00:29) Meet Sarah Brooks: Founder of Website Mirror(00:44) The challenges of freelancing(01:29) Breaking free from unwanted work(03:25) The power of networking and referrals(04:54) Overcoming mental blocks(07:20) The importance of authenticity online(09:13) Launching and evolving the Website Mirror offer(10:18) Balancing work and personal life(18:57) Adapting and customizing services(23:30) Navigating market pressures(25:30) Acquiring first customers(26:01) Building in public strategy(26:10) Client success stories(27:39) The power of specificity(29:08) Affinity and trust in business(31:08) Reframing the offer(33:23) The credibility trap(38:40) Identifying the core problem(41:52) The importance of a good websiteFollow Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-brooks-12b04b21/Check out the Website Mirror: http://www.sarahbrookswrites.com--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

In this episode, Lashay Lewis, founder of BOFU.ai, shares her powerful story of building a life and business from the ground up. From launching Amazon affiliate sites as a teenager to earning passive income off YouTube videos, Lashay reveals how small wins and painful rejections rewired her thinking and shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She talks about growing up in Baltimore, the role her husband played in supporting her early efforts, and the inner fire that drove her to master bottom-of-funnel content after being rejected from a dream job. Lashay also discusses balancing business with raising four kids, how trauma can fuel transformation, and why becoming the “poster child” student helped her stand out and build a category-defining consultancy. (00:00) Intro(03:19) The blessing of not knowing how hard it would be(06:14) Making her first online income(07:58) Affiliate marketing on YouTube(10:17) Building while raising two kids(12:04) Escaping “just good enough” as a solopreneur(15:00) Learning to sell through local SEO work(16:51) Selling websites too cheap (and learning from it)(18:16) Transitioning into B2B and failing a big opportunity(19:11) Creating the Content Dashboard(22:37) The mentorship that changed her life(26:57) Becoming known for BOFU.ai(30:03) What really motivates her(35:11) Always investing in herself(44:18) Entrepreneurship as a lesson for her childrenFollow Lashay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashaylewis/Check out BOFU.ai: https://bofu.ai/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

In this episode, Kendall Cherry, founder and executive ghostwriter at The Candid Collective, discusses her unconventional journey from a high-flying corporate role to a thriving solopreneur. Kendall recounts her decision to leave HP, her initial attempts at career coaching, and the fast pivot to ghostwriting that resulted in a 10K month almost immediately. She talks about the challenges of balancing creativity with business management and the impact of hiring an operations strategist to streamline her workflow. Kendall also shares her thoughts on the "starving artist" narrative and the importance of creating a sustainable and meaningful business. Reflecting on her branding success with the sunflower motif, Kendall underscores the value of authenticity and aligned action in attracting and retaining clients.(00:00) Intro(00:46) Kendall’s shift from corporate to entrepreneurship(01:57) Lessons from Kendall’s first business attempt(04:04) Writing as a transformative tool(07:33) Debunking the starving artist myth(09:24) Challenges of running a service-based business(12:22) The importance of client retention(18:32) Navigating business pivots(23:50) Operational strategy for scaling(37:01) Balancing client work and workload(39:14) Effective marketing for service providers(39:48) The power of asking for help(41:31) Using a gated services guide for growth(43:02) Client success stories and their impact(49:48) Investing in learning and growth(58:06) Writing that resonates with readers(01:02:41) Building a personal brandFollow Kendall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-cherry/ Check out The Candid Collective: https://candidcollective.co --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

In this episode, Emily Court shares her unconventional journey from freelance writer to brand and web designer for solopreneurs. She opens up about the career-altering conversation that inspired her to pivot into design, what it was like to land her first high-stakes client project, and how she built a booked-out business without relying on inbound leads. Emily also talks about working through chronic illness, why she never thrived in traditional jobs, and how solopreneurship gave her freedom and purpose. She unpacks the emotional and strategic layers of building a business that actually fits—and sustains—her life, and why helping others break free from broken systems fuels her every day. Plus, she teases what’s next: a productized offer and a podcast of her own.(00:00) Intro(01:06) From freelance writer to designer(02:32) The pivotal conversation with James Martin(06:50) Emily’s first major design client(09:33) Building credibility through public work(12:59) Managing growth and booking out(14:13) Client fit and discovery call red flags(20:30) The balance between style and flexibility(23:46) Lessons from cancer, chronic illness, and healing(28:00) Designing for people like her(30:25) Choosing meaning over scale(32:34) Why working with solos feels different(35:26) What Emily wishes she did sooner(40:22) Outbound strategy that saved her business(43:04) The power of short, human messages(46:33) Don’t make it weird: authentic outreach wins(48:16) What’s next: a podcast and productized service(53:22) Emily’s last meal on EarthFollow Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-court-website-copy-and-design/Work with Emily: https://www.emilycourt.ca/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join How Solos Scale: ​​https://www.howsolosscale.com/ Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

In this episode, Jed Mahrle, founder of Practical Prospecting, unpacks the journey from sales manager to solopreneur: how he validated his business while still in a W-2 role, why he initially worked for free, and what gave him the confidence to charge. He shares how content became the engine for inbound opportunities, why he said yes to everything early on, and how he built multiple income streams—from consulting to affiliate deals to brand partnerships. Jed also reflects on what makes the work meaningful today, why freedom from “OPM” (other people’s meetings) matters, and what he hopes to build next beyond B2B sales.(00:00) Intro(02:09) From PandaDoc to Mailshake(02:38) The leap to solopreneurship(04:15) Building Practical Prospecting(05:17) The power of consistency and writing(13:24) Diversifying revenue streams(19:29) The role of content and sponsorships(24:34) Joining Sell Better(28:03) Challenges of starting a business(28:22) The stigma of going solo(31:58) Building in public and learning out loud(37:24) The fulfillment of helping others(42:44) Building a media companyFollow Jed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/outboundsales/Subscribe to Practical Prospecting: https://www.practicalprospecting.io/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Sam Browne is a longtime entrepreneur, writer, and creator known for his unique voice and practical approach to personal branding. With nearly two decades of experience building creative businesses—from a chart-topping music career to a seven-figure wedding services agency—Sam now helps others grow their audiences and businesses through intentional content strategy and brand clarity.In this episode, Sam shares how he transitioned from the New Zealand music and events industry into a successful content-driven business on LinkedIn. He walks through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the systems behind his prolific content output, and the real reason he’s pivoting toward personal storytelling over algorithm chasing. Sam also dives into the evolution of his consulting and digital product business models, and how he’s building a new SaaS product from scratch—all while staying grounded in craft and integrity.(00:00) Intro(00:46) The shift to content creation(01:53) Balancing content and life(03:12) Content creation strategies(04:27) The Forever 50 system(11:29) Challenges of video content(16:20) Authenticity in content(18:24) Navigating LinkedIn success(23:35) The entrepreneurial journey(26:32) Transition to LinkedIn strategy(27:46) Starting a business from scratch(28:37) Building Findaband and Auckland Weddings(30:36) Challenges and lessons learned(32:06) Music career and entrepreneurship(35:17) LinkedIn journey and content creation(43:15) Private coaching and consulting(43:56) Evolving business models(48:10) Importance of building an email list(50:38) Upcoming projects and goalsFollow Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-browneBuilt a Profitable Personal Brand on LinkedIn with Sam: https://sam-browne.notion.site/Build-A-Profitable-Personal-Brand-on-LinkedIn-1aacfae6146d804fb435c79d1018ff48 --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Andrew Capland is a growth strategist and founder of his own business, where he helps growth teams and entrepreneurs build scalable, efficient strategies. With years of experience in the growth space, Andrew now focuses on creating content and resources to empower others to navigate their professional challenges with actionable, repeatable frameworks.In this episode, Andrew shares his journey of transitioning from full-time employment to building his own business. He walks through his struggles and successes, from figuring out how to create content that resonates with his audience, to experimenting with pricing models for his new digital offerings. Andrew also reveals how he’s working to scale his income through sponsorships, while balancing the demands of fatherhood and entrepreneurship. Plus, he dives into the nuances of creating a digital product that can operate without him—designed to help others make decisions, take action, and achieve results.(00:00) Intro(01:00) Transition from full-time to solo business(05:15) Navigating self-employment challenges(09:40) Evolving content strategy and creating value(14:00) Exploring new income streams: sponsorships & digital products(18:25) Pricing dilemmas and thought process(22:05) Developing self-guided course & digital products(27:00) Balancing family life & entrepreneurship(31:20) Lessons learned and moving forward with clarity(36:10) Creating scalable business model that works without you(40:45) Thoughts on the changing role of digital products & content creation(46:00) How sponsorships align with passive income goals(50:05) Importance of experimenting with new business models(54:30) Challenges in building long-term business(59:00) Building business that works for your lifeFollow Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/Check out Delivering Value: https://deliveringvalue.co/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Jen Allen-Knuth is a sales strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of DemandJen, where she helps teams simplify selling and rediscover the joy of driving meaningful conversations.In this episode, Jen opens up about the mindset shifts that finally pushed her to go solo after years at Challenger and Lavender. She shares the insecurities she had to overcome, the messy behind-the-scenes of setting up her business, and the surprising joys (and pains) of self-employment. From being called out by Josh Braun to forging a playful feud with Will Aitken on LinkedIn, Jen walks through the very real, very human story of building a solo business with staying power.(00:00) Intro(00:32) From Lavender to solopreneurship(03:05) Overcoming insecurities and taking the leap(06:05) Navigating LinkedIn and building a personal brand(09:07) Choosing a business model and early challenges(12:27) The turning point(15:47) Support from industry leaders(21:09) Balancing work and personal life(25:04) The reality of sales and entrepreneurship(26:25) Humor and content creation(28:24) LinkedIn dynamics and fake feuds(30:32) Transitioning from Lavender and finding new balance(31:40) Challenges of working independently(35:35) Navigating business logistics(46:50) Pricing and value realization(47:38) Lessons in business pricingFollow Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demandjen1/ Check out DemandJen: https://www.demandjen.com --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Justin Simon is a content strategist, course creator, and founder of the Distribution First Academy, helping solopreneurs and marketers build smarter content engines without burning out.In this episode, Justin shares how a layoff became the unexpected push he needed to bet on himself—and why he’s focused on building a business he never wants to retire from. He opens up about navigating the messy early days of consulting, finding his niche in content repurposing, and the mindset shifts that helped him build a more sustainable, intentional career. From launching a course while still working full-time to taking a leap into coaching and community building, Justin traces the real, unfiltered path that brought him to today—and where he’s aiming next.(00:00) Intro(01:28) Creating the Content Repurposing Roadmap(02:52) Transition to solopreneurship(11:54) Early struggles and learning curves(19:22) Lessons from fractional roles(22:49) Balancing revenue streams(23:16) Building a membership community(26:25) The challenges of creating a membership(32:33) The impact of one-on-one coaching(37:58) Balancing personal and professional life(47:23) What Justin would’ve done differentlyFollow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincsimon/ Check out Distribution First Academy: https://distributionfirst.club/ --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Renee Lynn Frojo is a writer, strategist, and former journalist who’s built multiple creative ventures—from food blogs to online magazines to a thriving content consulting business.In this episode, Renee shares why she’s walking away from one-to-one client work and betting big on herself (again). She opens up about evolving as a solopreneur, finding clarity through experimentation, and what it really takes to stay motivated when the initial spark fades. From a press badge in D.C. to building a food blog from scratch, Renee traces how every chapter of her career has uniquely prepared her to help others tell their stories—and now, to launch A Good Reputation, a new newsletter about building businesses with intention and integrity.(00:00) Intro(01:03) Getting traction on LinkedIn by breaking the mold(02:21) Why she stopped trying to be an “expert”(03:35) How Renee approaches honest writing(05:12) Writers she admires and what she’s learned from them(07:26) Going back to journalism roots(11:00) The turning point to go solo(14:06) Her first blog, Make It Like A Chef(15:42) Why 10K followers wasn’t enough(17:46) Selling Woman Born and entering consulting(19:44) Building a content business and evolving again(22:06) When discomfort means it’s time to pivot(24:05) The compounding value of all her projects(27:03) Launching A Good Reputation(29:31) Turning down clients to make space(32:28) Escaping the one-to-one “freelance trap”(34:08) Moving toward cohorts and courses(35:56) Making the leap (with a safety net)(43:00) Lessons she’d do differently(44:33) What she’s building nextFollow Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-lynn-frojo/Check out A Good Reputation: https://www.reneelynnfrojo.com/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Alice Lemée is a writer, strategist, and creator of Internetly, a newsletter exploring identity, creativity, and online business. In this episode, Alice opens up about the moment she realized freelancing wasn’t her long-term path, how she coined the concept of “Creator Gravity,” and why building something meaningful requires messy, unglamorous work behind the scenes. From a failed music internship during COVID to going viral on Twitter, Alice shares how she turned rejection into a full-time writing career—eventually building newsletters for top creators like Miss Excel and growing an audience of her own. (00:00) Intro(03:36) Discovering Medium and writing about scams(08:01) How a viral Twitter thread launched her freelance career(12:57) Landing early clients and building momentum(15:18) Creating value through curation, not expertise(20:06) The highs and lows of freelancing(23:54) Building Miss Excel’s newsletter from 50 to 392K(26:30) The power of relationships and personal brand(29:34) Launching Internetly as a creative outlet(31:58) Why Alice walked away from the digital nomad lifestyle(38:55) Coining “Creator Gravity” and building a new lens(46:03) The importance of commitment to the craft(48:30) Detaching from metrics and trusting the process(49:56) Letting go of a past identity to make room for what’s next(51:19) Building the Creator Gravity cohortFollow Alice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelemee/Work with Alice Lemée: https://www.alicelemee.com/Subscribe to Internetly: https://internetly.substack.com/--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Devin Reed is a content strategist, solopreneur, and creator of The Reeder—a content consultancy and newsletter helping B2B brands stand out by owning a single word in their market. In this episode, Devin opens up about his journey from head of content at Gong and Clari to running his own business full-time. He shares the mindset shift that helped him overcome self-doubt, the moment he realized VP life wasn’t for him, and how he designed an intentional business with built-in client graduation. Devin also explains why clarity beats cleverness, how to build content that sells without selling, and why he believes content should be synonymous with credibility—not just clicks.(00:00) Intro(00:46) Starting Read Between the Lines(03:39) Building shows that break the mold(06:35) Why Devin didn’t go solo after Gong(09:54) The turning point at Clari(13:35) Starting The Reeder on the side(18:46) Devin’s evolving business model(22:54) The reality behind “passive” income(26:16) Why people actually buy from Devin(29:11) The one-word principle of mindshare(34:07) What category creation really takes(40:14) Why Devin ditched long retainers(43:03) Raising rates with confidence(45:26) Pricing based on real impact(46:05) What Devin’s building nextFollow Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinreed/Subscribe to The Reeder: https://thereeder.coCheck out Devin’s playbook: https://www.thereeder.co/courses/content-that-converts--Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Jay Acunzo is a keynote speaker and storytelling coach to business storytellers & experts, helping them compete on the impact of their ideas, not the volume of their marketing.In this episode, Jay unpacks the reality behind his transition from working at brands like Google, HubSpot, and NextView to going solo. He explains why he didn’t “make the leap,” how he replaced hustle with systems, and how an offhand compliment from a stranger helped him realize the value of his voice. Jay also shares what it means to build a platform of impact, how to tell stories that stick without shouting, and why he believes the best ideas aren’t always the newest—they’re the ones people actually remember.(00:00) Intro(00:46) The “final boss” of podcast guests(03:39) From Google to solopreneur(04:29) Building a platform of impact(30:37) The frustration of PR pitches(31:12) Crafting a unique contact form(32:51) The reality of public speaking(35:21) The end of Creator Kitchen(42:38) The “final boss” of podcast guests (reprise)Follow Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayacunzo/Jay Acunzo’s Official Website: https://jayacunzo.com Listen to How Stories Happen: https://jayacunzo.com/how-stories-happen-storytelling-podcastSubscribe to Jay’s newsletter, Playing Favorites: https://jayacunzo.com/newsletter --Create your next digital offer: https://harnessandhone.com/ Join Full Stack Solopreneur: https://fullstacksolo.com/Download the free roadmap: https://fullstacksoloroadmap.com/ 

Chris Marr is the founder of The Authoritative Coach, a practice dedicated to helping coaches and consultants become trusted experts in the eyes of their clients.In this episode, Chris shares his journey from entrepreneur to employee and back again. He talks about how The Authoritative Coach started as an experiment, how he knew it was time to leave his job, and how he signed his first clients without even having a website. Chris also discusses the value of iteration, the importance of asking for what you want, and why he believes "figuring it out" is the real work.(00:00) Intro(02:16) The birth of the Authoritative Coach(03:28) Deciding to leave IMPACT(08:09) The importance of figuring it out(21:41) Acquiring first clients(26:25) The power of asking(28:25) The importance of networking(29:29) Building and monetizing an audience(34:25) Iterating your service model(36:04) Launching a coaching business(52:13) Future aspirations and business goals--Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theauthoritativecoachThe Authoritative Coach: https://theauthoritativecoach.com/Check out the book “Become an Authoritative Coach”: https://theauthoritativecoach.com/buy-the-book/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/

Sean Blanda is the owner of Gate Check Studios, providing fractional brand, content, and marketing leadership for startups.In this episode, Sean shares his journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, his experience as a founding marketer at Crossbeam, and why he ultimately chose to go solo. Sean discusses the creative exhaustion that led him to take the leap, the importance of adapting to shifts in marketing, and how his sabbatical-inspired newsletter helped him reconnect with his creative instincts. He also unpacks the process of landing his first clients, the challenge of productizing services, and why every solopreneur should embrace curiosity and velocity.(00:00) Intro(01:03) Sean’s entrepreneurial journey(05:21) The birth and evolution of Gate Check Studios(10:06) The Sabbatical concept and its impact(21:41) Exploring side projects and client work(23:19) The importance of curiosity and velocity(26:12) Navigating client relationships and market corrections(33:01) Productization and packaging strategies(37:31) Results aren’t enough, vibes matter too--Follow Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanblanda/Sean Blanda’s Official Website: https://seanblanda.com/Gate Check Studios: https://gatecheckstudios.com/--Subscribe to the 1,000 Routes Newsletter: https://1000routes.com/Full-Stack Solopreneur is the only hybrid digital program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the hands-on nature of a private consulting service⁠: https://fullstacksolo.com/