Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business
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...
Author
Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 6, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The Follow-Up Fix: How to Follow Up with Clients Without the Cringe 05.05.2025 12:17
Feel like a clingy ex every time you follow up with a client? You're not needy—you're leading. Clients aren't ignoring you, they're busy. Following up isn't desperate—it's part of your job. In this episode, we're getting real about following up with clients without feeling needy or annoying. I'll show you why follow-up feels so awkward, how to fix that mindset, and break down the four most common...
No Sleaze, No Cheese: Discovery Calls That Actually Work 28.04.2025 13:51
Tired of discovery calls that feel like free coaching sessions and awkward sales scripts? You've been sold a lie—overdeliver, be the "helpful expert," and somehow close without selling. That doesn't work. Not for Done-For-You service providers. In this episode, I'm breaking down how to do discovery calls in a straightforward, honest, and effective way. And the best part? It's way simpler than you'...
Staying Solo Series - Maggie's Story 21.04.2025 12:11
This week I'm sharing my story from my new private podcast series, Staying Solo Stories. Staying Solo Stories is a private podcast where we dig into the real, unfiltered stories of business owners who've chosen to stay intentionally small—people who are proving every single day that you don't need a big team or a complicated business model to be successful. In this episode, I share how I went fro...
Behind the Scenes of the Staying Solo Book 14.04.2025 11:43
You know what's wild? I've been podcasting for 11 years, writing even longer—but the moment I decided to write a book, I completely freaked out. Why? I've shared my words for years, but somehow, a book felt different. In this episode, we're going beyond the book—what it took to write Staying Solo®, how I got it done, and what I learned along the way. Topics discussed in this episode include: The...
You're Not Playing Small (The Staying Solo Book is Here!) 07.04.2025 10:14
What if the advice on growing a business isn't just wrong—but hurting you? We're told success means scaling, hiring, and going bigger. But what if that's holding you back from a profitable, sustainable business that works for you? Staying Solo isn't settling; it's a strategy. Topics discussed in this episode include: My frustrations with hot garbage business advice. The disrespect for people who c...
Set Your Business Boundaries: Stop Letting Clients Walk All Over You 24.03.2025 20:04
You built your business for freedom, not to be on call 24/7. So why are you still checking emails at night and saying yes when you mean no? Ignoring boundaries leads to chaos, stress, and clients pushing limits. And no, charging more or "manifesting better" won't magically fix it. The real solution? Boundaries. They turn a frantic business into a calm, profitable, and predictably boring one—in the...
The Real Deal: What It's Like to Work With Me 16.03.2025 21:14
Have you ever joined a business coaching program that promised to be the only system you'll ever need—only to wish for a time machine to get your money back? Same. That's why I do things differently. If you want the real, no-fluff experience of working with me, you're in the right place. In this episode, I'm giving you the real deal on how I work with clients, why I'm not here to sell you a cookie...
Increase Your Income: No Sleazy Shortcuts, Just Solid Strategy 10.03.2025 17:35
Predictable revenue may not be flashy, but it's the foundation of a business that lasts. While others chase trends and burnout, you'll have steady income, reliable clients, and peace of mind. Because a business that pays you consistently isn't boring—it's profitable, sustainable, and stress-free. In this episode, we're discussing how to trade chaos for consistency, stop chasing quick wins, and sta...
Why Core Values Are Important: Land the Right Clients, Lose the Wrong Ones 03.03.2025 14:30
Ever wonder why some clients feel like a dream while others make you question everything? Spoiler: It's not just bad luck—it might be misaligned values. If your core values are buried on your website, you risk attracting the wrong clients who ignore boundaries and drain your energy. But when your values are front and center, they act as a filter for you. In this episode, we're talking about how...
The Power of a Micro Niche (Because "Just Pick a Niche" is Lazy Advice) 24.02.2025 14:39
Ever had someone nod blankly when you explain what you do? That's the problem with a broad niche—people don't get it, and if they don't, they won't hire you. In 2025, specificity isn't optional—it's the key to standing out. A broad niche means more competition and fewer ideal clients. But when you zero in on the right people, the right problem, and the right positioning? Everything clicks. In thi...
The Truth About Your Offers (And How to Get Them Right) 17.02.2025 15:06
Most offer advice is a ticking time bomb—created for businesses nothing like yours by people who haven't worked with an actual client in years. It's overhyped, overcomplicated, and entirely out of touch. From the mythical signature offer to the never-ending offer ladder, this advice isn't built for solo service providers but for mass-market, one-size-fits-all business models. How do you create off...
The Strategy Stack: How to Actually Sell Your Services 10.02.2025 23:15
As a solo service provider, you've heard it before—nail the basics, then keep growing. But business isn't static, and neither is your strategy. As you evolve, so should your foundation. Meet the Strategy Stack—a framework to help you refine and strengthen your business, one layer at a time. In this episode, I'm breaking down the Strategy Stack—what it is, how each layer fits together (because they...
Enough Already: Making Money with Meaning for Solo Service Business Owners 03.02.2025 28:09
Everyone's chasing six or seven figures like it's the ultimate goal—but is it really? The truth is that revenue without purpose can leave you overworked, overwhelmed, and wondering if you've built a business or a burden. Success isn't just about making more money. It's about making money that actually supports your life and goals. So, how do you break free from the revenue rat race and build a bu...
Boring Is Better: Building the Business You've Always Needed 27.01.2025 26:26
You're burnt out from the grind, drowning in noise, and questioning whether the version of success we were all sold was ever worth it. Sound familiar? Hustle culture promised us freedom, but all it delivered was stress, overwork, and businesses that feel more like a trap. We've been told that bigger is always better, that scaling is the only way forward, and that if we're struggling, we just need...
Pivot or Persist? How to Plan Your Business' Next Chapter 09.12.2024 17:33
Adaptation is key if you want to run a sustainable service business as a team. What worked a year (or even a month) ago may be ineffective in the current market. What your clients want may have evolved, and your personal goals may have changed. The tricky part can be understanding when it's time to change things up or when it's best to stay on your current course. In this episode, we're diving...
Planning Without the BS: How to Prep for the New Year Without Wasting Time 02.12.2024 13:21
Traditional planning often fails solo business owners… Yet, everywhere you look, it's the same old thing: big, bold goals, detailed action plans, and endless hype about setting yourself up for your "best year ever." The problem? You don't have endless resources to make all these big, lofty goals a reality. You're a team of one, meaning your time and energy are finite resources, so you must plan ac...
Boost Efficiency with AI While Keeping Your Integrity Intact 25.11.2024 17:39
It seems like people are talking about AI everywhere you turn these days. As a result, many of us are trying to figure out how AI fits into our business. And if it does have a place in what you do, what about those legit legal and ethical concerns? How can we use it in a way that doesn't strip us of our creativity? In this episode, I'm breaking it all down for you—the good, the bad, and the seri...
Smart Packaging: How to Make Your Services Sellable 18.11.2024 14:18
Here's the deal: packaging your services doesn't have to be overcomplicated. Forget the endless "value ladders" and 15-step sales funnels, your clients just want something simple and easy to understand. In this episode, we discuss how to package your services so they're simple, clear, and—most importantly—sellable. Topics discussed in this episode include: The problem with packaging: why is it o...
Best-Case Scenario Productivity vs. Reality: The Missing Margin 28.10.2024 14:39
Monday morning. You're feeling motivated and ready to tackle the week. Your to-do list is set, and you're ready to CRUSH IT. And then… Friday rolls around, and you're wondering where it all went wrong. Despite your "best-case scenario planning," reality had other ideas. How do you avoid this trap so you aren't setting yourself up to fail? This episode explores how to ditch best-case scenario pla...
Ethics Over Easy: Succeed Without the Shady Shortcuts 21.10.2024 11:43
Trust is the bedrock of every great client relationship, so imagine what it would be like if every single client trusted you implicitly without hesitation. The question is — how do you create that? It starts with avoiding sketchy marketing and the pushy sales gimmicks often promoted by celebrity entrepreneurs. In this episode, I show you why staying true to your values is ethical and the most pow...
Stop Selling, Start Solving: For Solopreneurs Who Hate Sleazy Sales 14.10.2024 13:37
"Always be closing!" "Overcome objections!" "Push for the deal!" These are just a few of the familiar refrains we often hear when it comes to selling. It's all pushy, and for many solo service business owners, the idea of sales already feels uncomfortable. After all, you didn't start your business to become a salesperson, did you? The truth is that sales don't have to feel that way. The key to b...
Exposing MRR: The Crumbling of a 'Get Rich Quick' Dream 07.10.2024 45:49
This week, we're sharing our most recent Duped episode, where we discuss Master Resell Rights. _____________________________ Have you ever seen an offer on social media claiming you can make big bucks in no time at all if you sell something created by someone else? Welcome to the world of Master Resell Rights, where you allegedly can get rich from doing little to no work at all. But like everythin...
Sorry, Not Sorry: When the Client is Wrong 30.09.2024 13:11
Have you ever worked with a client who, despite hiring you for your expertise, just won't listen to what you tell them? The idea that the client is wrong goes against everything we've been taught, so it's a hard habit to break. But the reality is that, yes, sometimes the client IS wrong. In this episode, I'm sharing how to handle those moments when your client is wrong (and maybe even a little de...
The Celebrity Entrepreneur Marketing Myths: How They're Screwing You Over 23.09.2024 10:16
Do you ever feel like all the marketing advice you hear from celebrity entrepreneurs always ends up being far more work than you ever imagined — and rarely gets the results you're looking for? The reality is that these folks are doing you dirty with their one-size-fits-all marketing playbooks. In this episode, I explain why celebrity entrepreneur advice isn't only misguided but harmful and what y...
The Capacity Code: Managing Time and Energy as a Solo Business Owner 16.09.2024 23:19
Do you feel caught in a cycle of working more to make more money but melting down because you're overwhelmed and overworked? While you can run this loop for a while, it's not sustainable. You're more than our work; you need a life while tending to your health and mental well-being. In this episode, I'm diving into how to create your Capacity Code—a way to manage your time, energy, and emotional...
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