The Solopreneur Hour Podcast with Michael O'Neal

Profitability is the lifeline of your business as a solopreneur. Without profits, you really don’t have much of a business. And many of us have little financial education so we don’t know how to generate sustainable profits. To resolve that issue for us is our guest for episode 109, Mike Michalowicz. Having built and sold two multi-million dollar business early in his career, Mike is a man we can all learn from. In this episode we talk comedy, finances and the joys of being a scrappy solopreneur. More About This Show Throughout his career, Mike has almost always been an entrepreneur or solopreneur. However, he did hold two jobs in the past. He was so unemployable at that point that even though he stayed on as an employee after Robert Half International bought his company, he was fired from his role one year later! Following his natural inclinations as a solopreneur, Mike has explored a variety of media outlets. He created a TV show pilot, hosted news segments on MSNBC and also shared the stage as a keynote speaker with such notables as Guy Kawaski and Michael Gerber. You'll also discover things like: Exploiting your inner savant and how it’ll help you find your niche. Why business plans don’t work. His thoughts on how to get started in business with little or no money. Why your lack of money in the early stages of your business is actually a GOOD thing. His technique to becoming more profitable and how to apply it. Why he doesn’t mind when people copy him. Originally I connected with Mike after I stumbled upon his web site, the copy was so cheeky and funny that I reached out to him; I wanted to know if he had written it himself. Indeed he had and after having him on the show, it was clear the copy merely reflects who Mike is as a person. It’s what we like to call brand consistency and it’s one of the keys to his success. If you enjoyed hearing Mike on this show, send us a Tweet or leave a comment below about your favorite takeaway: maybe you scrapped your business plan or set up your bank accounts. We want to hear from you! Episode Resources Mike's web site Mike on Twitter Mike on Facebook Mike's latest book: Profit Up Solopreneur Hour Ad Survey E-Myth Revisited Life Alert commercial Mike's first book: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Building a BulletProof  Financial System Art of the Start Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

It’s been far too long since the one and only DawnMarrs.com has joined the show for a Find Your Swing episode. We were only too happy to have her back to answer your questions on the air, chat about what she's been up to and provide you with business ideas about how to create passive and residual income from your background and your passions. More About This Show If you haven’t heard one of these shows before, we take an entire hour to respond to write-ins from you, the listeners. You tell us what your interests are, what your background is, what you do for a living and what you do for fun; we in turn give you advice on how to combine all of that and turn it into create a thriving business that will generate passive and residual income for you. In this show, we also talk about the importance of attitude, not flinching no matter what life throws your way and the power of handling our response to anything and everything we experience on our journeys. The finer details of the show include: The two words that bump up your Facebook post engagement. How one listener should pick one of five online platforms to promote his living as a single parent business idea. The success one listener had from taking action and altering her mental state. The ins and outs of running a thriving blog and fully utilizing it as a content platform: what advice we give one listener and how it applies to you. Creating a passive, residual income within the homesteading, sustainable living market: tips and suggestions we have for one family and what it means for your business. Dawn and I had a great time reading your emails, generating ideas together and talking about what’s been happening in our respective lives since our last Find Your Swing episode back in February. So much has happened for both of us, personally and professionally, and we wanted to share it with all of you. We appreciate each and every one of you for listening to these shows, being inspired and - most importantly - taking action! Thank you. Leave a comment below or send a Tweet and let Dawn and I know what action you've been inspired to take next. Let's hear it! Episode Resources Vocal Booth To Go Episode 75: The 8th Find Your Swing Show Franco Gonzalez: Episode 14 Klout Tadame Boutique Dan Miller: Episode 50 Pat Flynn's video: How to Set Up a Blog in Under Four Minutes Derek Halpern: Episode 15 Fiverr Woo Themes Theme Forest Vadermills SoloLab: A Unique Mastermind   Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Have you noticed how some people take success with them wherever they go and whatever they do? Our guest for episode 107 is one of those people. AJ Amyx is a former Christian rock star turned Twitter genius and he joins us to talk about lessons he’s learned on his journey. More About This Show AJ and I met while we were both attending Nick Unsworth’s Life on Fire mastermind event in Arizona last month. He had a such an interesting history and background, I had to have him on the show. In his earlier days, AJ was the co-founder of a Christian rock band called Trade Cities. With this band, AJ would go on to play nationally-known festivals, share the stage with elite bands in their genre and receive offers from two major record labels. Though the band eventually split up, AJ grew and learned a tremendous amount in the process. You'll also discover things like: A simple breakdown to connecting, building relationships and generating sales online. His four step process to using Twitter. To follow many or to only follow a few on Twitter: what does AJ recommend? The Following Game: what is it and how has it led to AJ's online success? What so-called “overnight successes” and icebergs have in common. When the band broke up, AJ lost nearly everything including his work, his passion and his girlfriend. He knew he had to choose what was next for him and he gave a lot of thought to what that would be. The one question he had to answer for himself was “What am I really here for?” Now that he has found the answer, he spends his days fulfilling that mission and purpose. In fact, it has simplified his life. He simply asks if a project or experience  fulfills his purpose and if it does, he says yes. If it doesn’t, he says no. Combining his experiences as a designer, a rock star and now as a Twitter strategist and digital marketing expert, AJ has traveled the terrain every solopreneur ventures on from the valleys to the pinnacles and all points in between. And in this episode, he shares as much of his knowledge as we could fit into one podcast! He goes into detail on how to create a successful business using online media, especially Twitter. And we weave it all together with stories of his advertising agency boutique days, his famous and then not-so-famous musician days as well. Leave a comment below or send me a Tweet and let me know: what are you going to start doing on Twitter right now thanks to AJ’s tales? Episode Resources AJ's web site AJ on Twitter AJ on Facebook Vocal Booth to Go Tim Cook of Apple Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a writer in Hollywood? Is it nothing but red carpets and glitter? Here to shed some light on the real life of a successful writer in Hollywood is the talented Dean Lorey. Dean has been a writer for such smash TV hits as  “Arrested Development” (one of my personal favorites), “The Crazy Ones” and “My Wife and Kids”. He also penned the script for Major Payne, among other films. In episode 106, Dean joined the show to talk about his early days at NYC, how he co-wrote Fitness Confidential with Vinnie Tortorich and what he has done over the years to thrive as a writer in Hollywood. More About This Show Hailing from Conyers, Georgia, Dean went straight to NYU to follow his passion for writing in its the hallowed halls. Some of his fellow classmates included comedian Adam Sandler and Vince Gilligan, one of the writers for the TV show "Breaking Bad". While a film student at NYU, he learned the value of hustling, relationships and self-motivation. After graduation he was offered a gig in Hollywood to work for Sean Cunningham which led to one of his first writing credentials on Friday the 13th VIII. Though he went on to have major success with My Wife and Kids, Arrested Development and Major Payne, Dean will be the first to tell you that being a writer (or any other position in Hollywood) is just one step away from unemployment. It’s constant unemployment, followed by short gigs followed by more unemployment. And that’s where hustle makes or breaks someone. Fortunately for Dean, he has plenty of hustle which has resulted in a healthy, happy living as a writer for TV and movies. You'll also discover things like: What you can learn about growing your business from Louis CK and Breaking Bad. The technical side of creating a screenplay: Dean explains the process. The collaborative nature of movies and how it pertains to your business. How he worked with Vinnie Tortorich on "Fitness Confidential" and how they got it published. Why it's best to go for something, and ask permission later. Why it doesn't matter if you know the "how" of making something happen. In addition to talking about his solopreneurial hustle, I also ask him to share who he has loved working with, what his favorite TV shows are currently and how he has kept his passion for writing alive through the typical ups and downs in the live of a Hollywood writer. My chat with Dean was entertaining for me, and I hope for you as well. His story is a great reflection on the vital role hustle and relationships both play in success. Both are needed for anyone who wants to make it as a solopreneur, whatever their industry. Leave a comment below or send me a Tweet and let me know: what did you discover about your business from hearing Dean’s story? Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $2.95 domain name from Godaddy with the promo code “solo295″ AND get 25% off new products from GoDaddy when you use promo code "solo25" Episode Resources GoDaddy: $2.95 Domain Name GoDaddy: 25% Off New Products Dean's web site Dean on Twitter Arrested Development The Crazy Ones Sleepaway Camp Fitness Confidential Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Sometimes a solopreneur is a solopreneur from birth. They hustle themselves right out of the crib and into the thick of the next opportunity that crosses their path. Our guest for episode 105, Mr. Glen Ledwell, falls into that category. Glen is a serial entrepreneur who had multiple successful businesses in several industries before finding his niche in the online marketing world. He owned a night club in Sydney, Australia as well as a bathroom advertising company; he also got in on the coffee franchise scene. That was all before he found Internet marketing and developed Mind Movies, his pièce de résistance. More About This Show Glen’s story has the classic solopreneur origin: at the ripe old age of six, he hustled other kids in card games and marbles. He was a born hustler! Though he admits to having a “regular” job a bit later in life, he quickly discovered he was much better off working for himself and calling his own shots. So that's exactly what he did. In this show, you’ll hear how Glen’s failures and successes built on each other to move him up the ladder from struggling solopreneur to thriving soloist/investor. The lessons he learned from every failure and success taught him what he needed to see the next opportunity so he could capitalize on it. And so he did…all of which led him to Mind Movies, his current and most successful endeavor. You'll also discover things like: What is the actual definition and methodology of sales? Why you must fail, fail, fail and fail...before you succeed. Fire and aim: Glenn's investment approach and the lessons he has learned. The personal development journey Glen went on and how it contributed to his success. Glenn shares a high level view of the product creation process, including what he's discovered works best. The thing that stops 99% of people Like almost every episode on this podcast, I get into a variety of topics with my guest and Glen is no exception. From his time in Sydney to his fashion prowess to why he moved to San Diego, we get acquainted with many areas of Glen's life and his thoughts on many topics.  But one thing I hope you take away from Glen’s tales is the true key to success...taking action. Everything else can be worked out and discovered from that point. But nothing happens until you take action. As Glen says “ The greatest idea you'll ever have in your life is the one you do.” And he’s right: whatever idea you have, stop sitting on it and go get it. Go make it happen. That’s one of the reasons I bring on people like Glen: to encourage you and motivate you to take action on that great new idea you have. So tell us in the comments below and via Twitter: what are you going to DO now? What actions are you going to take, thanks to Glen? Episode Resources Glen's web site Glen on Twitter Glen's webinar SoloLab: A Unique Mastermind Pat Flynn's Ebooks The Smart Way Episode 38 Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!)     

Like most people, you’ve probably been told to write out your goals, set deadlines and take action to make them happen. But there’s one key that’s missing from that process: acting like you already have reached your goals. Feeling, thinking and acting as though your goal or your vision has already come true is that final piece of the puzzle. And in episode 104, I share with you how I’ve used this piece of the puzzle to create the success of The Solopreneur Hour as well as the tools you can use to do the same in your business and in your life. More About This Show Goals: they are important roadmaps for our lives. They show us where we want to go, what it will take to get there and often, they guide us on how to get there. And if you really want to add some firepower to your goals, there are a few things you can do. An important exercise to do is to write out your goals and create deadlines for them. This is actually a crucial piece to making them happen. If you don’t know what your goals are and by when you’re going to achieve them, how can you make them happen? A really fun way to do this is to write a letter to your future self. It’s something I did as part of Nick Unsworth’s mastermind group and everything I wrote in that letter has come true. You'll also discover things like: The power of belief: how I found my perfect Mini and the lesson it'll highlight for your business. How this podcast has grown to six figures since its inception in August. CPA and CPM: what are they and why do you need to know? What you can learn about your business from my experience installing my car stereo. Why it's so important to "talk the talk" so you can really "walk the walk". And much more! When I wrote my letter to myself, I made sure I included every area of my life and I got specific: I wrote out how many downloads I wanted to have, the success of our SoloLab mastermind group and anything else I could think of. And then I got to work. I put time, effort and energy into everything I wanted to create. Something else I did was to feel like I already had everything I had written out. For example, I felt what it felt like to have a successful mastermind group and what it felt like to have the Mini Cooper I really wanted. I created the mastermind group, I test drove the Mini Coopers I wanted to own. And a mere eight months later, I had everything in that letter. Now my point in sharing this isn’t to brag, but it’s to show you the power of setting your goals and ACTING like you’ve already achieved them. So take some time, write that letter to yourself and have a friend drop it in the mail to you six or eight months from now (or whatever timeframe you set). After you’ve written the letter, all you have to do is take any and all actions. While you're taking those actions, remember to feel like you've already got everything you wanted. Test drive that car you really want, look at homes you want, spend time with people who are doing the things you want to do and really get to know what your world is going to look and feel like when you've made good on those promises to yourself. That's what it takes to make things happen, to make your goals become a reality. So what's your letter to your future self going to say? Write it and if you’re really bold, share it with us in the Proudly Unemployable Facebook group or send me a Tweet! I'd love to hear from you now and when your goals come true. Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $2.95 domain name from Godaddy with the promo code “solo295″ AND get 25% off new products from GoDaddy when you use promo code "solo25" Episode Resources GoDaddy: $2.95 Domain Name GoDaddy: 25% Off New Products The Proudly Unemployable group on Facebook SoloHour on Twitter SoloHour on Pinterest SoloLab - A Unique Mastermind Generosity Philosophy Cherished Ideas The Mechanic to Millionaire podcast Tire Rack Lift: The Goal-Setting App Crutchfield: audio equipment

We’ve seen video kill the radio star, will podcasting do the same to radio next? What’s podcasting going to look like 5 years from now - is it the next big “thing”? Joining us to answer all those questions - and so much more - is radio DJ extraordinaire Tysen Webb. More About This Show Tysen is a man of radio. He’s been a radio DJ for 22 years and it’s the only full-time gig he’s ever had. It’s not a stretch to say he knows radio inside and out; it’s been his passion since he was a child. In fact, he started working as a radio station producer when he was only 14 -  his story about how he landed that gig is reflection of his solopreneurial hustle. When he joined The Solopreneur Hour for this show, he had much to share about the trajectory of radio, why he has his own podcast and the important role podcasting is playing and will continue to play in our audio lives. You'll also discover things like: His first on-air experience: how he took advantage of an opportunity. His 20,000 foot view on the podcast movement: how to ride the tidal wave The biggest challenges he sees in podcasting and we break down how to tackle each. Why creating a show based on YOUR personality and your hard-wiring is the first step to success How he thinks podcasting will affect radio And how the Mini did at our first car race! Tysen has known since he was a child that he wanted to be on air and he has the voice for it! As a man who has been behind the mic for over 20 years, Tysen is well-qualified to talk about the radio trends he has seen in his history as well as the impact podcasting has made on radio so far. He sees podcasting as a tidal wave that is just beginning to rise, as do I. We chat about how to take advantage of that rising tidal wave and how you can lay the groundwork right now, including what equipment to use and some basic fundamentals every podcaster should do know when he or she gets started. But we don't limit ourselves to podcasting! Like every episode, our conversation runs the gamut of numerous topics. In this show, Tysen and I talk about our own particular passions: video games, car racing and vision board/bucket list items. Not only does that chat make for interesting conversation, it is also highlights the joy of the solopreneurial lifestyle. And that's one of the reasons I've created this show: to remind you why you're a solopreneur! Whether it’s car racing, playing a particular sport or making extra time for your family, design your solopreneuer lifestyle to include your passions. I hope this episode reminds you to follow your vision, make time for the things that really feed your soul and stay on your solopreneurial course. Episode Resources Tysen's podcast Tysen on Twitter SoloLab: A Unique Mastermind IHeartRadio Natural Selection's Do Anything Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!)     

Launching a new business. It's one of the most exhilarating, scary and out-of-your-comfort-zone rollercoaster rides any solopreneur will take on. It's a process we all must navigate to achieve any level of success in our work. And yet there are ways to mitigate the risks, to steady your rollercoaster ride and still enjoy everything it offers. Joining us to talk about how to do just that is our very own SoloLab member and serial solopreneur, Simon Knapp of CherishedIdeas.com. More About This Show Though Cherished Ideas is his newest creation, Simon is no stranger to the world of business launches. Starting at the tender age of 12, Simon has been seeing people's problems and crafting ventures to provide solutions to them. Cherished Ideas is his latest. In this episode, Simon talks about his early failures which he has simply turned into data and how that data has aided him while developing and releasing Cherished Ideas. We also get into what it's like to leave the regular 9 to 5 world, Simon's favorite and least favorite aspects of being a commercial airline pilot and what really has fueled his solopreneur passions as well as the impetus behind Cherished Ideas. You'll also discover things like: What he did - the first thing he did - to get started with Cherished Ideas Why you should run with an idea even if it already successfully exists in the marketplace today. The lessons from Dollar Shave Club that you can apply to your business. What is wireframing? Why borrowing from your competitors is a great way to develop your business. The pain points of being a freelancer and how Cherished Ideas alleviate them. Throughout this episode, you'll hear Simon and I talk about the development, building and execution of Cherished Ideas. But what I want you to also listen for is this: you can do everything he has done to successfully launch YOUR next endeavor. Listen for the steps he's taken, the fears he's squared off with, and the hurdles he's jumped to launch Cherished Ideas today. There is an abundance of information in this show and all of it can be applied to your business, whatever your industry. Also listen for his timeline and how he took knowledge from previous experiences and applied it to the launch of Cherished Ideas so he could shorten his learning curve. Again, there's so much information here. Listen a few times or get out your Evernote or your notepad and take notes! And when you're done, let us know in the comments what you've learned and how you're applying it to your next launch. Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $2.95 domain name from Godaddy with the promo code “solo295″ AND get 25% off new products from GoDaddy when you use promo code "solo25" Episode Resources Cherished Ideas Cherished Ideas on Facebook Cherished Ideas on Twitter SoloLab - A Unique Mastermind Balsamiq Dollar Shave Club Joel Comm Amy Porterfield Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Returning for his second visit with The Solopreneur Hour, is Vinnie Tortorich. Dubbed The World’s Angriest Trainer, Vinnie has come back to share his battle and triumph over leukemia, as well as why the world is getting fatter despite our overabundance of healthy supermarkets, gyms and organic foods. Join us as we have banter about all of those topics, and a whole more on our 101st show. More About This Show If you missed Vinnie’s first appearance on the show, you can have a listen here. We had a great time chatting, so much so we never got to talking about Vinnie’s battle with (and subsequent defeat of) leukemia. It’s a tale worth telling for both the personal lessons he shares as well as the solopreneurial inspiration he provides. But the show isn’t just about leukemia, we cover a wide variety of topics like an in-depth discussion of cars including the origins of Lamborghini and the world’s top Porsche collectors, Vinnie’s take on nutrition and fitness today and the importance of hustle and outworking anyone else to truly succeed. You'll also discover things like: Vinnie's battle with leukemia: what he was doing at the time he found out and how he battled it. Why calorie in and calorie out does not work. How to eat and when you're on the go: what to have in your fridge? Why low-fat versions and man-made foods don’t work. What's renegotiating and how do you use it as a solopreneur? How he sold tens of thounsands of his audiobook, Fitness Confidential and what made it such a success. In episode 101, Vinnie and I have a conversation that flows from one topic to another to another to another -  but at the heart of them all there are a few main themes. Those themes are as important to a solopreneur as anything else you can hear: how adversity builds character, the proper way to fuel your body and your life, and the necessity of learning as you build your solopreneur dreams. Vinnie’s no-nonsense, no-BS style is always a welcome addition to the show and it was a pleasure to have him back on. Clearly we could've talked for hours so I’m sure he’ll be returning! In the mean time, let us know what you think of the show in the comments below. How are you going to feed your body differently? Are you up for a 30 day no-grain, no-sugar challenge? Vinnie and I want to hear from you and hear your results!   Episode Resources Vinnie's web site Vinnie's podcast: The World Angriest Trainer Episode 83 with Vinnie Fitness Confidential: Vinnie's Book A  Will Smith video: inspiration for solopreneurs   Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Episode 100. It's a big deal, a true milestone for this show. And I wanted to do something special to commemorate it and properly mark the occasion. So I gathered a panel of remarkable guests for a roundtable chat. You'll have to listen to find out who. More About This Show Not all podcasts reach 100 episodes and it's an absolute honor for me to share this with my guests and with all of you, my audience. In this very special episode, I thought it would be fun to have a look back at where my collected panel of guests all were last August and what has changed for us in the 7 short months since.  So, I invited a few people to my house to have some breakfast, and a little chat. We all gathered in Studio 86 to discuss the highlights of some of episodes past, and share what it's like to have been a part of the growth and evolution of The Solopreneur Hour. You'll also discover things like: How our esteemed guests have both experienced fear - and what they've done to combat it. The origins of The Solopreneur Hour: where did the idea actually come from? I share some of my personal highlights and memories of the show. How the podcasting industry is thriving and becoming a staple of solopreneurs in every industry. The battle between entrepreneurs and Entrepreneur magazine: what's happening and how it's impacting so many, including John and Kate of Entrepreneur on Fire and Natalie Sisson of Suitcase Entrepreneu. I loved making this episode with everyone and now having the opportunity to share it with you. There is no podcast without guests and without an audience, and I am grateful for the amazing people who have joined the show and who have listened in since we began last August. None of this would have been possible without you and I thank you for being here. Here's to another 100! Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $2.95 domain name from Godaddy with the promo code “solo295″ AND get 25% off new products from GoDaddy when you use promo code "solo25" Episode Resources Entrepreneur on Fire Rick Mulready I Want SoloLab GoDaddy: Your $2.95 Domains! 25% off new products with GoDaddy GadLight Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Cliff Ravenscraft's Podcast Tutorial Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Many of us know the difference-maker in the home stretch is mental toughness. But how do you get it? How do you shift your mindset on a daily basis to make sure you really do realize your dreams and your vision for your life? The man who knows the answers to those questions (and a whole lot more) is our guest for episode 99, Mr. Dave Austin. More About This Show Dave is a mental performance coach, former tennis pro, radio broadcaster, best-selling author and public speaker - who also happens to be one of the greatest coaches alive today. Dave joined us for episode 99 to talk about how he got his start as a professional tennis player and his transition into an elite performance coach. As you listen, you’ll hear what sets Dave apart from other coaches: he has an uncanny ability to combine spiritual principles with practical, actionable tools to create a fundamentally strong and functional life practice for himself, his family and his clients. He talks about using a tool like Sourcing to create anything you want from money to pay your bills to winning a competition. But he goes beyond just talking about Sourcing, and shares how he uses it in his every day life for himself and how he used it to help his son be named Player of the Game in a recent AFL game! You'll also discover things like: Your subconscious is set to keep you comfortable: how you can shift it and dictate where you want to go, no matter what. The lesson of the crocodile and how it relates to YOU. What RESPA stands for and how to use it for greater success. Why you have to leave space for your creative genius. Dave’s steps to starting your day to get in the right mindset. How he generated $20k in a week when he had NO idea how. In episode 99, Dave lets us in on the key traits he has witnessed in successful athletes, solopreneurs and entrepreneurs during his career. From this witnessing, he’s built his programs and his offerings so that anyone with the will, the determination and the fortitude can have that same level of success, no matter what. Dave is not only talented and accomplished, he also generously shares his knowledge for the benefit of others. He is clearly tapped into his own gifts, and he talks about the practice he’s perfected to do so over the years. It was an honor to have him on the show, let me know what you’re going to do now to create more victories as a result of Dave’s show! Episode Resources Dave's web site, Extreme Focus Dave's program, Beast Mode Dave's radio program Find Dave on Facebook Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

As a solopreneur, we all know the necessity of seeing an opportunity and taking action on it. That there are always opportunities can be said of any industry and certainly can be said of real estate. And in seeing and seizing those opportunities, there are lessons for every solopreneur. From evaluating an opportunity to the art of being detached in negotiations, there are nuggets for you and your business. And joining us in Studio 86 to talk about that - and more - is my friend, fellow podcaster, and serial solopreneur Toby Salgado. More About This Show In every industry, there are opportunities to be had. In episode 98, I talk with Toby about what it’s been like for him in the real estate investment market: how he has and continues to discover opportunities, seize them and build upon them for greater and greater success. Toby got his solopreneur hustle on at the tender age of 9 and has been unemployable ever since. He found an opportunity in one of his dad's magazines and acted on it. By taking that action, he earned $1200 - remember, he was 9! That was just the beginning for Toby. On this show, he shares his personal journey, including how many times he’s failed, how many times he’s won and how he progresses with each experience. You'll also discover things like: S.MA.R.T goals: what the acronym stands for and how to applies to your business. People either think too small or too big: and how to avoid falling into that trap. What Toby says it takes to be successful in any industry, real estate or otherwise. What I learned from my dad's stone crab business: a lesson on being detached. Toby shares the statistic on how many times solopreneurs will fail before they hit a big win. Toby’s a wealth of knowledge, having built many companies and brokered deals worth millions. And in this episode, he drops that knowledge! But even if you aren’t about to drop $400k on an investment, Toby’s lessons will apply to your business. The show isn’t all about business though, Toby and I share a love of Porsches and a love of car racing. One particular aspect of vintage cars we discuss - and it’s something that isn’t widely-know - is the art of investing in them. It’s a technique both Adam Carolla and Jay Leno use; some people invest in real estate or stocks, other people buy beautiful vintage cars and watch their value appreciate. Whatever your investment interest or your solopreneur endeavor, this episode will have something for you…including a little walkie-talkie humor! It was a pleasure to have my friend in the studio for this show and I hope you enjoy it as well. Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $2.95 domain name from Godaddy with the promo code “solo295″ AND get 25% off new products from GoDaddy when you use promo code "solo25" Episode Resources Toby's web site Toby on Twitter Connect with Toby on Facebook GoDaddy: Your $2.95 Domains! 25% off new products with GoDaddy Speedhunters Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Nice Drives Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Giving thanks is one of the most important things we can do as solopreneurs. Whether it’s being grateful for a win in our business or being grateful for our personal growth and progress, gratitude is fundamental to every aspect of our lives. In episode 97, I take time to reflect on the incredible success this podcast has had of late and the keys that have created that success. The keys I talk about are the same ones you can use to fuel your business and your growth. More About This Show Wherever you are in your business, whether you’re in the idea stage, the beginning stage or the growth phase, there are always necessary components to move you ahead. The very first component is confidence. You have to believe in yourself and your services or products that you’re brining to market. And part of that confidence comes in standing behind the prices you charge. So many solopreneurs undervalue themselves and what they do; many of us have fallen into that trap and I am no exception. I found when I undervalued myself, I made my path and my journey a lot longer than it needed to be. One way to do this is to create an environment that supports you. If you can, move somewhere that you really love. It’s why I moved to San Diego. No matter what happens in my life, I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But no matter where you live, surround yourself with confident solopreneurs, people who are further along the timeline than you are. Their confidence, ambition and learning lessons will teach you - and you’ll learn faster and easier than you would have on your own. You'll also discover things like: How much should you reinvest back into your business? The four steps to creating a business: what they are and how to utilize them. Why you should overdeliver. What are the 5 options to build your audience? The Integrity Network: what it is, who is in it, why it's a big deal and how the show became a part of it. The steps to connecting and landing anchor clients. Once you have that confidence and you’ve leveled up who you are surrounding yourself with, you can get into the nitty-gritty of what you want to offer the world. Creating your business really boils down to four steps: build a brand, create an identity, connect with and build your audience - then monetize. Not until you’ve completed the other three pieces should you monetize. At that point your audience is going to tell you what they want from you. Once you know that, you can deliver and really begin to put your stamp on the world. In this episode, I reflect on all of those steps and how I’ve used them to launch this podcast and get to where I am today. I’m sharing them with you so you can use them too. I’m incredibly grateful for the success we’ve had with The Solopreneur Hour; I say “we” because without you, none of this would have been possible. So thank you! I hope enjoy the episode. Episode Resources Connect with The Solopreneur Hour on Twitter SoloLab Branding with David Roth My Backstory on Episode 01 Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

Leveling up: it's a phrase you've probably heard by now. But do you know what it actually means or why it's even important? After this show you will. Joining us to talk about that very tactic is our guest for episode 96, Mr. Nick Unsworth. Nick is our friend as well as being an outstanding Facebook marketing expert, business coach extraordinaire and new podcaster. He also happens to be a man who knows how to create his visions and make things happen; in this episode, he lets us in on a few of his secrets. More About This Show There comes a point in every solopreneur’s journey when they have to take the next step. It could be leaving the stifling comfort of a 9-5 and a steady paycheck, hiring a virtual assistant or paying for a coach even when the money’s not there in the moment. Whatever the scenario, leveling up is the way to make it happen. You have to look at where you want to go and make decisions based on where you are going, NOT where you are. In this show, Nick and I talk about times in our lives when we’ve leveled up, what those experiences have meant for us and our businesses. We talk about the significant role leveling up plays in moving your business forward from a one-person self-employed business model to a fully-functioning, self-running operation. You'll also discover things like: Elevating your expenses can be a good thing. Why are the 3 S's so important? Here's a hint: They are story, stance and strategy. How to reframe your challenges into your biggest opportunities and triumphs. The progression from self-employed solopreneur to business owner and time freedom. How action, imperfect and every other type of action, trumps all. The importance of anchor clients: how to get them and how to properly use them in your business. And one of the best ways to get to that self-sustaining business model is through coaching. It’s one of the common themes for this show and so many of the episodes in 2014. There isn’t a single person I know who is succeeding in business who does not have a coach. In fact, Nick has two: a business coach and a personal development coach. However and wherever you want to take your business to its next expansion, leveling up is how you get there. And a great coach will guide you and keep you on track through that process. It’s a strategy Nick and I have both used to hit major milestones and goals we’ve set in our businesses; I hope when you listen to this episode, you’ll hear how to use it for yourself. Add your comment below and share with us the next stage you’re leveling up to! Show Our Sponsor Some Love! Get Yourself a $3.49 domain name from Godaddy with the Promo Code “solo349″ Episode Resources Nick's web site, Life on Fire Connect with Nick on Twitter SoloLab Cory Michelle on Episode 004 Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!) 

SoloLab - Masterminds and the Power of Groups 0 One of the greatest pleasures I get from this podcast is the people I get to connect with and the friendships we create. I recently attended an event in Arizona hosted by our friend Nick Unsworth, and a few of the people in SoloLab were also in attendance. In episode 95, I sat down with them to record this podcast and talk about the power of masterminds, the power of groups and the necessity of attending events. More About This Show If you’ve been listening to the podcast for awhile, you’ve heard me talk about (even rant about) the importance of coaching, events and mastermind groups. One of the keys to being a successful solopreneur is surrounding yourself with like-minded people and people who are going to support you on your journey. There are enough challenges on the solopreneur road, naysayers don’t need to be another one. And one of the best ways to rectify that is to attend events like mastermind groups, conferences and networking meetings. On this show, the four of us talk about why we’ve said yes to our paths, where we are on our paths and just how much we all get out of being around other positive, like-minded people. You'll also discover things like: What fear is REALLY a signpost for. The truth about making the transition from a regular job to time freedom. When to outsource - and WHAT to outsource. What’s at the crux of a successful brand and its message. How life conspires to support you when you say "yes", even when you don't know how. As solopreneurs, we have to be okay with people not “getting” us and what we’re up to. The quartet on this episode all agreed this is true, and because of that, we all must attend events and connect with each other to create our own support systems. Each of us has faced different hurdles when we’ve said yes to our personal path, but we’ve also witnessed doors opening when we’ve least expected them to. We’ve all learned the value of taking action, pivoting from wherever you are to wherever you want to go and knowing your vision is going to come true. At the core of this show is really the message of following your path, following your passions and being true to yourself, no matter what. Episode Resources Chris Cerrone's podcast Steve de la Torre's podcast Dr. Christine's podcast Dr. Christine on Twitter Connect with other Unemployables on Facebook The Solopreneur Hour on Twitter SoloLab Episode 24 with JJ Collier Episode 76 with Dr. Paul BSW USA (15% discount with promo code solohour) The Four Hour Body Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.  Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.  THANK YOU! Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes.  Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!)