Breaking Solo

What happens when the smartest person in the room can't figure out their own marketing? In this episode, I sit down with executive coach and solopreneur Stever Robbins — host of the legendary  Get It Done Guy  podcast and Harvard MBA — for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations I've had on this show. Stever opens up about discovering he's neurodivergent in his 60s, and how t...

What if the missing piece in your solopreneur journey isn't another strategy — it's visibility? In this episode, I sit down with publicity expert and four-time author Jill Lublin to talk about how solopreneurs can get in front of the right audiences without a big budget or a PR agency. Jill shares how she went from law school dropout to director of publicity at four independent record labe...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Tanya Puri, a consultant and founder of Peer Insights. Tanya shares her journey of transitioning from corporate America to becoming a solopreneur, discussing the challenges of defining her expertise, finding her niche, and the importance of establishing productive routines. They explore industry trends, particularly the rise of fraction...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Evan Cox, a solopreneur specializing in nonprofit marketing. They discuss Evan's journey from working in a large nonprofit to becoming a solopreneur, the challenges he faced, and the importance of understanding multiple audiences in marketing. Evan shares insights on standing out in a competitive market, industry trends for solopren...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Holly Fisher, a marketing strategist and owner of Fisher Creative Marketing. Holly shares her journey into solopreneurship, the challenges she faced, and how she found her unique niche in the marketing industry. They discuss the impact of AI on marketing, essential tools for solopreneurs, and daily routines that enhance productivity. Ho...

In this episode of  Breaking Solo , Donna Amos sits down with  Shampaigne Graves , entrepreneur, founder of two businesses, and a powerful voice for women in business. Shampaigne shares how she started with  just $20, a free Shopify trial, and a mission  to help women start and stay in business—and how that early vision grew into a micro school, training center, and expanding team. She also opens...

What if the thing you’re calling “branding” is actually just a costume change… and your customers are now wandering the store like,  “Where did my ice cream go?” In this episode of  Breaking Solo , Donna Amos talks with  Beatrice Gutknecht , a positioning strategist who helps service-based businesses (think landscapers, accountants, home builders, and other “we-all-sound-the-same” pros) claim a cl...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, Donna Amos interviews Laurie-ann Morabito, a former shy individual who transformed into a confident speaker and coach. Laurie-ann shares her journey from corporate life to becoming a solopreneur, emphasizing the importance of public speaking in building credibility and attracting clients. The conversation explores the challenges of being a solopreneur, the evoluti...

What do you do when the career you planned disappears overnight? In this episode of  Breaking Solo , host Donna Amos sits down with Deirdre Martin, a business coach from Kilkenny, Ireland, who turned an unexpected layoff in retail banking into a purpose-driven solopreneur business. Deirdre shares how being laid off forced her to rethink everything—from income and identity to how she truly wanted t...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos interviews Annie Figenshu, a solopreneur and content marketing expert. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a solo business, the importance of effective content marketing, and the value of in-person networking. Annie shares her journey from performer to entrepreneur, the difficulties she faced during her divorce, and her strategies fo...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Tami Murphy, a business coach specializing in the toy and game industry. Tami shares her journey into entrepreneurship, the challenges of working alone, and the importance of finding joy in business. She discusses her strategies for differentiating herself in a competitive market, staying ahead of industry trends, and maintaining work-l...

Summary In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos interviews Reena Duell, a former solopreneur turned business coach. Reena shares her journey of starting her own business while balancing family life, the health challenges she faced, and her transition to coaching other solopreneurs. The conversation delves into overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of community support, and practic...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Kyle Bailey, the owner of Frontburner Marketing, about his journey as a solopreneur in the digital marketing space, particularly focusing on the home service industry. They discuss the challenges faced in the solopreneur journey, the impact of AI on business, and the importance of storytelling for brand identity. Kyle shares valuable in...

This conversation explores the themes of personal reinvention, authenticity, and empowerment, particularly focusing on women's experiences. The speaker emphasizes that reinvention is not about starting over but rather about leveraging past experiences to move forward. The importance of community support and overcoming challenges is also highlighted as essential components of personal growth. B...

In this conversation, Mary Beth Plank Mezo shares her insights on starting a business, emphasizing the importance of beginning before feeling fully prepared. She discusses the value of learning and embracing imperfection, encouraging listeners to push through their fears to achieve personal and professional growth. BIO Have you ever felt stuck - knowing you’re capable of more, but unsure how to mo...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, Donna Amos interviewsAlberta McKinney, a biblical business coach and entrepreneur. Alberta shares her journey from working at the post office to becoming a successful business coach, emphasizing the importance of faith, personal development, andunderstanding one's inner self. She discusses her transition into coaching, the strategies she uses to help clients s...

In this conversation, Kate Gilbert discusses the detrimentaleffects of perfectionism on productivity and business growth. She emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of not being perfect to make progress and achieve success.   Bio Kate’s clients affectionately dub her a “hand-holder-slash-butt-kicker” for her unique blend of compassionate support and a can-do, no-BS attitude. She excels i...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos interviewsJade Nangah, founder of Jet Set Productions, a content marketing agency. Jade shares her journey as a solopreneur, discussing the challenges of delegation, the importance of authenticity in branding, and the tools that help hersucceed. She emphasizes the need for resilience in entrepreneurship and offers valuable advice for aspiring solop...

What does it really take to build a business when you're doing it all yourself? In this episode,  Tim Jordan  shares his journey from juggling every task alone to becoming a strategic leader who knows how to scale with clarity and purpose. Tim opens up about the  mindset shifts  that carried him through tough seasons, why finding and nurturing a  profitable niche  matters more than ever, and h...

What if your lowest moment became the turning point for everything that followed? In this inspiring episode of  Breaking Solo ,  Donna Amos  talks with  Dawn Upwon , a copywriter turned AI innovator who went from burnout in ministry to building a thriving solo business—and a life of purpose, peace, and profit. Dawn opens up about her journey from crisis to entrepreneurship, the mindset shifts that...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, Jim Bradfield shares his extensive experience in the wireless industry, discussing his family's legacy and the evolution of wireless technology. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, overcoming challenges, and adapting to new technologies like AI. Jim also provides practical advice for solopreneurs, including the significance of planning and utilizing...

Summary In this episode of Breaking Solo, host Donna Amos speaks with Deborah Wendorf and AJ Nardini from On Demand Solutions about their journey from solopreneurs to running a successful HR business. They discuss the challenges of growth, the importance of customer service, and the impact of AI on the industry. The conversation also covers essential tools for productivity, advice for aspiring ent...

In this conversation, Sue Pats shares her journey from being a solopreneur to an entrepreneur, discussing the challenges faced in solopreneurship, the importance of prioritizing tasks, and how to create a successful business model that allows for rapid revenue generation. She emphasizes the significance of daily habits, the use of project management tools, and the need for community support among...

In this episode of Breaking Solo, Donna Amos interviews Leslie Pyle, founder of HireMyMom.com, a platform designed to connect small businesses with remote professionals, particularly moms. Leslie shares her journey into freelancing, the challenges she faced balancing work and motherhood, and how she built her business over the years. She emphasizes the importance of determination, continuous learn...

What does it take to walk away from a secure medical career and build a thriving investment firm from scratch? In this episode of  Breaking Solo , Donna Amos sits down with Philip J. Hawks Chan, CEO of Lightspeed Investing, to explore his unconventional journey from aspiring surgeon to entrepreneur. Philip shares how discontent pushed him to break from tradition, the challenges of scaling beyond s...