Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Small Business Owners Grow Without Burnout

I started my Christmas vacation the minute my kids got out of school. I can do that because I’ve built a business that doesn't chain me to my desk. But if I’m being honest, I don’t take those two weeks off just to bake cookies and watch movies—I use that downtime to make next year even better.When the house is quiet, I run a full self-assessment on my business to figure out how I can further improve my processes, workflows, and systems. Think of it like a required annual car inspection for your business. You might uncover some unwanted "bills," but fixing small issues now prevents massive breakdowns later.In this solo episode, I'm walking you through the three crucial things I review before the new year: Tools, Workflows, and Systems. I’ll share how a tools assessment saved a client more than she paid me for coaching, the three use cases I have for my writing apps, and the single bottleneck I look for to make sure my team is running smoothly. This isn’t about adding more work; it’s about strategically refining what you already do to create more space and impact in the coming year.*Want to do this self-assessment? Get my template at https://streamlined.fm/impact*Submit feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s a soon-to-be classic Pick 2 episode, where I pick 2 apps or tools I’m using and tell you about them. I say soon to be classic because I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and I’m finally going through with it!This week, it’s 2 apps I’ve used before and stopped using, but I’m revisiting. They are:Bear NotesBlinkistThanks to AppStories for the ideaWant to get the tools, apps, and automations I use delivered to your inbox? Join my mailing list. Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s no secret I’m a full-on AI skeptic. And while I still use it, I’m very, very worried about the long-term effects of overuse. I saw a number of stories over the summer that point to us losing our ability to connect with other people.We’ve decided that efficiency and productivity are more important than everything, including accuracy and trust. That we’ve decided to implicitly trust something made wholly by other people, some of whom don’t fully understand what their creation does.Here’s my approach to AI, how we can be better, and my hopes for 2026.And if you want to save time without giving up your humanity, check out my automations at https://streamlined.fm/quizShow NotesWe’re giving up too much to AIDon’t Rely on AI for Human Growth and HealingParents of teenager who took his own life sue OpenAIMeta’s AI rules let bots hold ‘sensual’ chats with childrenWe are rushing into the same mistakes we made with social mediaFaster Doesn’t Mean Better. Faster Means FasterThe AI Trap: Why Over-Reliance will Cost You Time (and Your Voice)The Urgency of InterpretabilityIt’s Been 2 Years Since ChatGPT Came Out. How do Solopreneurs Use It? Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

What if your business could support your life instead of consuming it? That’s exactly what Liz Wilcox has built — a $9/month membership that supports her family, her sister, and three other families… all while she takes summers off.In this conversation, Liz shares how she built a half-million-dollar lifestyle business that aligns with her values — without sacrificing her time, her sanity, or her kid’s beach days.We talk about launching imperfectly, setting clear expectations, and building a business that runs with your life, not against it. Liz’s energy and honesty are unmatched, and her story will change how you think about pricing, productivity, and purpose.Top TakeawaysA low-ticket offer can be high value — if you set clear expectations and deliver consistently.Don’t wait for perfect — Liz launched her $9 membership using Google Docs and built from there.Transparency builds trust. Tell your audience what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and when they can expect it.Liz’s signature $9 membership is here: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/liz  — hit the hot pink button to grab her free email templates (and sneak a $1 trial of the membership).🎧 Listen on: streamlinedsolopreneur.comWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

I’m reading Amy Coney Barrett’s book, Listening to the Law, and it struck me that instead of writing using AI, we should write more like the Supreme Court…at least if we care about our audience.  Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at  https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★