Shows / The Life-First Solopreneur
The Life-First Solopreneur
You didn't become a solopreneur to build a business that runs your life. You did it so your business could serve it. The Life-First Solopreneur is the twice-weekly podcast at the heart of the Life-First Movement. It's for solopreneurs who believe the business should be designed around life, not the other way around. Hosts Joe Rando and Carly Ries, co-authors of Solopreneur Business for Dummies, sit down each week with solopreneurs who are building Life-First Businesses and experts who are…
Episodes
- The Life-First Solopreneur
From Corporate Salary to Solopreneur Pricing: The Mindset Shift Nobody Teaches You
If you've left corporate, or you're thinking about it, there's one mistake almost every new solopreneur makes: pricing like an employee instead of a business…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
The 5-Step System That Gives Solopreneurs Consistent Clients
If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things in your business but still not landing consistent clients, this episode is for you. Carly sits down with…
The Life-First Solopreneur283. [Re-Release]: How Solopreneurs Can Scale Their Businesses Without Burning Out
What if scaling your solopreneur business didn’t mean hiring a team or working 80-hour weeks? In this episode, we’re diving into creative, cost-effective ways…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
282. The Hidden Mindset Patterns Sabotaging Your Solo Business
What if mindset isn’t “woo”… but the strategy your business is missing? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, we sit down with mindset expert Lee Baucom…
The Life-First Solopreneur281. [Re-Release] How to Build Systems That Support Work-Life Balance as a Solopreneur
What if building a business that supports your life actually isn’t about hustle…but about resilience, systems, and intention? In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
280. The Business Advice Many Artists Wish They Heard Sooner
Can artists really make money without underpricing themselves, chasing likes, or falling for the starving artist myth? In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
279. Solopreneur Admin Creep: The Invisible Work That’s Stealing Your Week
Many professionals leave corporate to start a solopreneur business because they want more freedom, more control over their time, and the chance to focus on…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
278. Financial Advice Every Solopreneur Needs to Hear
Most solopreneurs start their business for freedom, but many end up overwhelmed by the financial side of running a company. Taxes, retirement planning…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
277. The Marketing Framework Many Solopreneurs Are Missing
Most solopreneurs think their marketing problem is their offer, pricing, or marketing channel. But often the real issue is much quieter, and far more damaging…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
276. How Solopreneurs Can Make Money Online Without Followers
Think you need thousands of followers to make money online? Think again. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with…
The Life-First Solopreneur275. [Re-Release] Your Expertise Is Cute, But Can You Sell It?
What do branding yourself, redefining freedom, and learning how to actually sell have in common? Solopreneur coach Moe Choice breaks it all down in this wildly…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
274. The Legal Basics You Actually Need As A Solopreneur
In this episode, Carly and Joe sit down with Bobby Klinck, Harvard Law grad and founder of Plainly Legal, to break down the legal basics every solopreneur…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
273. Many Solopreneurs Stay Stuck Because They Don’t Do This
Most solopreneurs don’t fail because they lack skill. They stall because they stay private. In this episode, Carly shares a powerful takeaway from a women’s…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
272. How Successful Solopreneurs Think Differently About Growth
What separates solopreneurs who stay stuck from those who scale into something bigger? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando…
The Life-First Solopreneur271. [Re-Release] Your Solo Business Won’t Stay the Same. Here’s How to Future-Proof It!
In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe get real about how to future-proof your business (and yourself) for the inevitable changes ahead…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
270. The Lie Solopreneurs Believe About “Overnight Success”
Everyone wants the shortcut. No one wants to hear the truth. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, filmmaker and media strategist Jake Isham delivers…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
269. The Real Reason You’re Not Standing Out As A Solopreneur
Standing out in a crowded market isn’t about being louder; it’s about being clearer. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
268. Your Solopreneur Business Isn’t Broken, But Your Mindset Might Be
What if working harder isn’t the answer, and never was? In this episode, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with Lori Rogers to explore why mindset isn’t “woo,”…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
267. Hey Solopreneur! If Your Marketing Isn’t Working, Listen To This...
Ever feel like you’re doing “all the right marketing things” but still not getting clients? This episode tackles that exact frustration head-on. If your posts…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
266. Productivity for ADHD Solopreneurs (Without the Rigid Systems)
Ever feel like traditional productivity advice just…doesn’t work for your brain? In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
265. The Psychology Behind Pricing That Actually Converts
If you’re a solopreneur wondering “Am I charging enough?” or feeling awkward about raising your prices, this episode is for you. In this episode, Carly Ries…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
264. How She Went From Hollywood Writer to 7-Figure Solopreneur
If you’re a solopreneur struggling with burnout, undercharging, or wondering how to build real income without sacrificing your energy, this episode is for you…
The Life-First Solopreneur263. [Re-Release] Why Nobody Notices Your Solo Business (and How to Fix It)
Most solopreneurs make the mistake of trying to serve everyone and end up standing out to no one. In this short and punchy episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
262. How to Build Systems That Support Work-Life Balance as a Solopreneur
What if building a business that supports your life actually isn’t about hustle…but about resilience, systems, and intention? In this episode of The Aspiring…
The Life-First Solopreneur261. [Re-Release] The Biggest Mistake Solopreneurs Make: Selling to “Everyone”
Before you dive headfirst into your solopreneur journey, there are two things you absolutely need to nail down: your competition and your customers. In this…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
260. Why Smart Solopreneurs Are Using PR in 2026
PR isn’t just for big brands with big budgets, and this episode proves it. In this conversation, PR experts Lydia Bagarozza & Bridget Sicsko, of Visibility on…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
259. Planning for 2026? Listen To This Before You Do Anything Else
Everyone is busy planning what they’re bringing into 2026. New goals. New strategies. New habits. But what if the real progress comes from deciding what…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
258. The Sales Shift for Solopreneurs That Gets Prospects to Say Yes
If the word sales makes you tense up, this episode is about to change everything. In this conversation, sales expert Adam Cerra breaks down why most…
The Life-First Solopreneur257. [Re-Release] How To Stop Shiny Object Syndrome From Wrecking Your Workflow
Ever wonder which tools and services you actually need as a solopreneur, and which ones are just shiny distractions? In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
256. How to Explain What You Do Without Rambling, Freezing, or Oversharing
Why is it so hard to explain what you do, even when you’re really good at it? In this episode, messaging strategist Damian Vallelonga breaks down why…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
255. The Biggest Solopreneur Lessons from 2025 (What Actually Worked and What Didn’t)
After years of working alongside solopreneurs, 2025 finally gave us something new: real data, real patterns, and real lessons we couldn’t ignore. In this…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
254. Stop Avoiding Your Numbers (They’re Costing You More Than You Think)
What if the reason your business feels stressful isn’t more work, it’s how you’re handling your money? In this episode, Megan Schwan pulls back the curtain on…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
253. The December Reset Tricks Solopreneurs Swear By
If the holidays feel like a chaotic mash-up of family gatherings, last-minute tasks, and pressure to magically “figure out next year,” this episode is your…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
252. The Mid-Career Solopreneur Myth That’s Holding You Back
In this episode, Will Simpson gets honest about the moment he realized he didn’t want a boss. He breaks down the identity crisis that hit after leaving decades…
The Life-First Solopreneur251. [Re-Release] Don't Skip This Step: The Secret To Building A Solo Business You'll Love
If you’re ready to create a business that supports your life instead of running it, this is the episode you need. Carly and Joe dive into Step Zero of the…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
250. Optimize Your Odds: The Science of Actually Reaching Your Goals
Okay friends, buckle up, because today’s episode is one of those “wait… why has no one explained success like THIS before?” moments. We’re talking with Kyle…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
249. You Built It…Now You’re Scared to Share It? Let’s Fix That.
You know that electric rush when you finally build the business you’ve been dreaming about? And then, right as you’re about to tell people… you freeze? In this…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
248. AI Funnels, Printables & Passive Income…But Without the Scams
If you’ve been getting hammered with “AI income hacks” on Instagram and TikTok, you are not alone. Carly has been targeted so aggressively that she’s starting…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
247. If You’re Not Using Custom GPTs Yet...Start Here!
If you've ever wondered how Joe somehow whips up a custom GPT for literally everything, from content creation to arguing with him when ChatGPT gets too…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
246. Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else: The AI Fix You’re Not Using
What happens when the Wild West days of early internet marketing collide with the deeply human side of AI? In this episode, Steven Sakach from aiCMO joins…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
245. STOP Letting AI Think for You (Seriously, Don’t Do This)
AI isn’t coming for your solopreneur job, but it will happily take your tasks. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down how to turn AI into the world’s most…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
244. Scale Without Staff: Fulfillment First, Growth Second Is Key For Solopreneurs
In this episode, Luke Hessler gets radically real about losing everything and rebuilding faster using the only assets no one can take: mindset, skills, and…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
243. Warning: “Zero-click search” could kill your traffic. Here’s the fix.
If you thought SEO was complicated…meet its AI-powered cousin. In this episode, Carly and Joe break down the buzzword that dominated INBOUND, AEO (AI Engine…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
242. The Mindset Framework That Helps Solopreneurs Turn Stagnation into Success
What happens when a bartender from New York gets hit by a car, and ends up building a $350 million real estate empire? Jason Yarusi joins The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
241. Your Solo Business Won’t Stay the Same. Here’s How to Future-Proof It!
Wouldn’t it be nice if your business could just stay perfect forever: same clients, same income, same flow? Yeah… we wish! In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
240. The Solopreneur’s Burnout Trap: Are You a Serial Fixer?
What happens when your biggest strength, helping others, starts draining your energy? In this empowering episode, returning guest Leah Marone, psychotherapist…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
239. You Are the Business: Why “Self-Care” Is Really Profit Protection
You’ve got your solopreneur business humming: systems in place, clients happy, goals aligned...but there’s one crucial piece most of us forget: our own…
The Life-First Solopreneur238. [Re-Release] ZERO Marketing Experience: Here’s How They Make Six Figures a Month
What if your dream of working from home and spending more time with your family wasn't just possible, but wildly successful? Meet Todd and Leah Rae Getts, a…
The Life-First Solopreneur237. [Re-Release]: Future-Proof Your Solo Biz: Stay Relevant Without Losing Your Mind - Sound Bite Episode
If you're still getting your business advice from that one guy on LinkedIn who hasn't updated his profile since 2014... this episode is your wake-up call…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
236. From Rock Bottom to Rebuild: The Mindset Every Solopreneur Needs
Ever hit rock bottom (physically, mentally, or in your business )and wondered how to climb back stronger? Zachary Del Monaco has done it twice before age 25…
The Life-First Solopreneur235. [Re-Release] Is Your Solo Business Actually Feasbile? Find Out!
So, you’ve got a business idea you’re excited about. But here’s the big question: does it actually work on paper, or will it drain your bank account before it…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
234. Get Heard, Get Clients: Podcast Guesting for One Person Businesses
Have you ever wondered how to get in front of the right audience without constantly chasing leads? In this episode, Christina Lenkowski shares how solopreneurs…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
233. A Smarter Way to Implement Changes in Your Solo Business
Making changes in your business doesn’t have to feel messy or overwhelming. In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe introduce the SMOOTH…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
232. The Solopreneur’s Shortcut to Smarter Decisions
Making changes in your business is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming when everything seems important at once. In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
231. 7 Failure Modes That Can Sink Your Solopreneur Business
You’ve worked hard to get your solopreneur business off the ground, but what happens when things start to stall, or worse, head in the wrong direction? In this…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
230. Moving From Plans to Action in the Solopreneur Success Cycle
After spending so much time laying the groundwork in the planning phase, it’s finally time to take action. In this episode, Carly and Joe step into the doing…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
229. How To Stop Shiny Object Syndrome From Wrecking Your Workflow
Ever wonder which tools and services you actually need as a solopreneur, and which ones are just shiny distractions? In this episode of The Aspiring…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
228. Onboarding Strategies for Solopreneurs That Keep Customers Coming Back for More
Think of onboarding like a marriage: you don’t stop showing up once the vows (or the sale) are made. In this episode, they unpack why onboarding is the delight…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
227. Building a Sales Process You Believe In
Sales doesn’t have to feel slimy or stressful. In fact, when you treat it as service, selling becomes a natural extension of helping people. In this episode…
- The Life-First Solopreneur
226. Why Human Connection Is Your Most Important Marketing Tactic As A Solopreneur
After nine years of collaborating virtually, Carly and Joe finally met face-to-face at the INBOUND conference in San Francisco. The sessions were buzzing with…