Solopreneur Stories

Family, fatherhood, freedom, and finding focus as a solopreneur

In this episode I speak with Gregory Foran [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-foran/].  Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-foran/] is the founder of a solo marketing agency called Breakaway Marketing [https://www.breakawaymarketing.co/].  After working in marketing leadership positions for over a decade helping to turn poor performers into market leaders and generating over $129M in incremental revenue, Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-foran/] jumped into entrepreneurship.  He and I have some very similar stories, which we talk about, including topics such as: * Scaling a business * Experiences with subcontractors  * Family, fatherhood, and taking time off to focus on those things * Building a niche while being adaptive to market signals And other topics. This was a great one, and pretty meaningful for me personally. I mention pretty early in this episode that I felt like I was talking to my own conscience at a few points. His story and the way he shares it hit me in the chest, and I felt like some of our similar experiences make for some good lessons to anyone listening. Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-foran/] is a great guy and I’m rooting for him and what he’s building.  As always it was a great conversation and I learned a lot. And I think you will too. Here is - Gregory Foran [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-foran/].

Sales, solopreneur strategies, and self-employed success

In this episode I speak with Joe Fitzpatrick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/]. Joe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/] is a fractional CMO who has spent his career working with tech founders who were struggling to attract new customers and who needed to switch their marketing from an ad hoc approach to a strategic, long-term approach. We cover topics including: * Understanding the context behind a business’s numbers, and developing strategy beyond a spreadsheet * The logistical side of running a one person business * Being the voice of reality for your client * The challenges of doing marketing for companies that aren’t clear about their broader business strategy * What Joe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/] has learned on his path of self-employment, including versions of door-to-door sales early in his career and the humbling lessons roles like that can bring And other topics. Joe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/] was another great guest - a great guy with a great resume and a great story. I love his “throw me in and I’ll figure it out” attitude. I’d encourage listeners to pay attention to his story from his sales roles and how his curiosity and drive made him a top performer. I think anyone listening can extrapolate Joe’s [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/] lessons for their own professional journey to bring a willingness to learn and develop opportunities. So I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with - Joe Fitzpatrick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefitzpatrick1/].

Strategy, systems that stick, and success as a solopreneur

In this episode I speak with Trent Warner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-warner/]. Trent [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-warner/] is a fractional CMO and the managing director of Strategic Brand Builders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategicbrandbuilders/]. Where he focuses on bringing marketing strategy and systems into businesses to create clear and consistent growth - not marketing whack-a-mole.  We cover topics including: * Some of the problems with the agency model of today  * Having high expectations of yourself  * Trust, the currency of relationships  * The importance of strategy * Working remotely and the ‘return to the office’ collision * Establishing strategies and systems  And other great topics. Trent [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-warner/] is an old colleague from a lifetime ago, so it was great to reconnect with him and hear about all of the great stuff he’s doing.  I was personally able to learn some pretty tactical things as takeaways from my conversation with Trent [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-warner/], and I’m betting for other solopreneurs out there you’ll find the same. So don’t miss this one. Here is - Trent Warner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-warner/].

Ergonomics, executing customer success strategies, and entering the enterprise of solopreneurship

In this episode I speak with Parul Bhandari [https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/]. Parul [https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/] is a Customer Success startup advisor and consultant.   Following a career in ergonomics consulting and in HR, Parul [https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/] launched her first Customer Success (CS) team from the ground up, and from then on has focused on driving startup Customer Success journeys.   In addition to Customer Success, she is a passionate advocate of all things food and fitness, and of promoting DE&I. We covered topics including: * Her initial path to becoming a doctor  * Ergonomics  * The “build phase” of companies  * Launching a community * Being a contributor for online publications like Inc. * The importance of documentation  And other topics. It was great to speak with someone in the customer success space. We get into the importance of its function and contributing to revenue in businesses, from hiring to developing and other details that can bring this function to life.  If you’re in that space or working with them, you’ll definitely learn some things from Parul [https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/]. So here she is. Here’s my conversation with - Parul Bhandari [https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/].

Self-advocacy, speaking from the stage, and the secrets to success as a solopreneur

In this episode I speak with Shailvi Wakhlu [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailviw/]. Shailvi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailviw/] is a seasoned Data Leader and Self-Advocacy Expert with over sixteen years of experience building technology products.  She has spoken at nearly 100 global conferences and Fortune 500 events, coached close to 500 individuals, and authored the best-selling book "Self-Advocacy [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ44XNZG]." Which I’ve read and would recommend you read, too. Her career includes notable roles at Salesforce, Fitbit, and as the Head of Data at Strava. We cover topics including: * Her experience writing her best selling book [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ44XNZG], and the supporting speaking engagements she’s done * The topic of self-advocacy, which I think a lot of listeners will get a lot of value out of  * Her experience building an online course  [http://www.shailvi.com/data-courses.html#course1] And other topics. It was a great conversation. Her passion for self-advocacy really comes through. The word authenticity gets thrown around a lot, but when you speak with someone like Shailvi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailviw/] you can really connect with how genuine she is for the work she’s doing and why she’s doing it. I learned a lot. And I think you will too. Here is - Shailvi Wakhlu [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailviw/].