Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Small Business Owners Grow Without Burnout
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There comes a time in everyone’s life when they’ve consumed too much of something, and they find the very notion of consuming more sickening. This is the very basis for my yearly theme. 2025 was finally the year were I felt my overconsumption of technology was getting the best of me. So this year, my theme is DIGITAL DETOX. Read the full article here: https://casabona.org/2026/01/2026-yearly-theme-digital-detox/ SHOW NOTES __ __ Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ https://streamlinedfeedback.com/%20 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Grading The Year of Being Present 11:27 What I Learned from The Year of Being Present 14:57 My 2026 Yearly Theme 17:06 Goal 1: Using my Devices Less 22:55 Goal 2: Live in the Analog World 27:35 Wrapping Up __ (00:00) - Introduction (04:09) - Grading The Year of Being Present (12:06) - What I Learned from The Year of Being Present (15:36) - My 2026 Yearly Theme (17:45) - Goal 1: Using my Devices Less (23:34) - Goal 2: Live in the Analog World __ Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
We're almost at the end of Christmas break and I decided to record a quick update on how it's going...plus test my new camera. Check out the (somewhat unflattering) video here: https://youtu.be/HvSTnzOP01g Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It's one of my favorite episodes of the year: my Favorites of the year! I'll go through all of my favorite media and tech of the year, as well as some close runners up and honorable mentions. Links below! __ __ __ ____ Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Knowing when to get help is so, so, so crucial to prevent burnout. Laura Brazan knew this, which is why she decided to hire me for coaching. During our few months together, I was able to save her a ton of time, help her create process automations, and consolidate her tech stack. She even said that she’s saving more than she paid me! In this interview, we look at where she was before she hired me, the changes we made, and what she’s able to do now with the extra time she has. Want to see how you can improve your systems and prevent burnout? Try my self-assessment: https://streamlined.fm/impact Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
I knew from a young age, I wanted to play the drums. I got my first small kit when I was five, and when my friends and I started a "band," heavy quotes, I played paint buckets. When I was 15 years old, I knew I needed a real kit. This is the story of how I got it, and how one man's incredible kindness had a profound effect on me. SHOW NOTES __ __ Submit feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 https://streamlined.fm/stellar. Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It’s a 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: __ __ Want to get the tools, apps, and automations I use delivered to your inbox? Join my mailing list https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/join. Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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/quiz SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Save 30-50% on Learn Dash, GiveWP, The Events Calendar, and more: HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/FRIDAY https://liquidweb.i3f2.net/aOqzzb What if your business could support your instead of consuming it? That’s exactly what Liz Wilcox has built — a $9/month membership that supports her family, her sister, and … 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 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 Takeaways __ __ 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.com https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
I’m reading Amy Coney Barrett’s book, , 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. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Every year, I put together a massive gift guide for small business owners — but this year, I wanted to do things differently. Instead of rattling off every gadget and tool I’ve ever tried, I’m sharing the handful of products that made my life easier in 2025. From sleep earbuds that help me get more rest (even with kids and a dog) to the smart home lights that let me skip climbing into bushes every December, these are the gifts that save time, reduce friction, and make running a solo business just a little more fun. If you’re shopping for yourself or a small business owner in your life, you’ll find something here that genuinely improves work and home life — without adding clutter or complexity. https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/ SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Well, we're in the holiday gauntlet now. I've gotten several emails from small, service-based business promoting Black Friday sales, and I'm not sure that's a very good approach. I share my experience with successful, and less successful BF/CM deals I've run. I also talk about my approach to affiliates, and what I'm thinking about for that strategy in 2026. Check out the 3 tools I'm actually promoting for Cyber Week: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ Here's my 2025 Gift Guide: HTTPS://STREAMLINEDSOLOPRENEUR.COM/2025-GIFT-GUIDE/ https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/ ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
My oldest daughter loves asking me to tell her a funny story about my wife from when we were dating... and I almost always freeze. It's not because there aren't funny stories. It's because there are to pick from. This is exactly what happens when you open Zapier without a plan. You're faced with a "blank canvas" and endless possibilities, so you freeze and do nothing. You've heard about "triggers" and "actions," but you're not sure what triggers or actions should be. Zapier isn’t a sandbox for people starting out. The secret is to look at the work you're doing. I'll walk you through my simple, three-step process to get started. It starts with documenting your tasks, listing your apps, and then using one specific (and often overlooked) page on Zapier's website that will show you what's possible for . Stop staring at the screen, wondering where to begin. Let's get your first automation built. Want to see some real-world examples tailored to your biggest struggles? Take my free quiz at https://streamlined.fm/quiz and I'll email you four automation ideas you can use today. SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Our inboxes are about to be inundated with sales emails and affiliate-link riddled round-ups. Should I contribute to the noise? I'm thinking yes...but I want it to feel different. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Remember diagramming sentences back in school? I always thought it was pointless, but the real goal wasn't the diagram itself—it was understanding the structure of a good sentence. The same exact logic applies to building automations. It's tempting to just jump into a tool like Zapier or Make and start connecting things, but that's like throwing a bunch of random words on a page and hoping it makes sense. If you want to build automations that actually save you time (and don't break), you need to understand the structure first. I'm breaking down the four essential components every automation has—the two that are required, and the two "optional" ones that make your workflows truly powerful and intelligent. We'll walk through the difference between a Trigger and an Action, how to use Conditions to make your automations smarter (like "only do this if X is true"), and when to use specific Timing to batch your work. Are you unsure what you should even automate first? I built a brand new quiz to help you pinpoint your biggest bottleneck. Answer four simple questions, and I'll send you personalized automation recommendations to solve your most crucial problem. Take the quiz now at: streamlined.fm/quiz – https://www.google.com/search?q=https://streamlined.fm/quiz&authuser=1 SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Ever wonder if your newsletter should be the product…or just promote the product? I’ve been treating mine more like a magazine than a sales tool — and it’s cost me. So I sat down with Dylan Bridger, who helps course creators and coaches turn their newsletters into profit machines. We talk about: __ __ But we also get into the impact becoming a new dad had on Dylan’s workflows, and a short-lived side project that taught him big lessons fast. This conversation helped me clear up a ton of issues with my own newsletter, and I think it’ll do the same for you. Seeking clarity in your business systems? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm. Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
When I was a kid, I said things like, “I won’t forget,” or “When I’m a dad, I won’t get mad.” Or…”I’m bored.” But as you get older, and life puts you in various, unforeseen situations, it’s easy to get blindsided and react in a way you hoped you wouldn’t. I think about this a lot when I consider what’s changed between turn 20 and turn 40. And there’s a common theme that has cropped up: pruning. Letting go of what doesn’t work. Of where you used to spend your energy. About making more space in your life for the things that matter. And I thought that there was no better person to bring on to talk about this than my friend, fellow freelancer, and fellow father, Austin L. Church. He’s a deep thinker, committed family man, and wants to help people. https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm TOP TAKEAWAYS __ __ LINKS __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to STREAMLINEDFEEDBACK.COM http://streamlinedfeedback.com/ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Episode 500 of the show came out on Monday. Here’s I I put it together using Google NotebookLM ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Nine years. 500 episodes. And one big question I've asked since the beginning. When I started this show (back when it was ), I was a newly married web developer with a side hustle and a curiosity for how others built their businesses. Ten years and three kids later, I’ve realized the mission has always been the same — helping solopreneurs build a business that their life, not consumes it. In this special milestone episode, I’m sharing the story behind the show’s evolution, the real “trade secret” I’ve learned from hundreds of conversations, and how the GAPS FRAMEWORK — Gear, Automation, Playbooks, and Support — is guiding my next experiment. Want my systems delivered directly to your inbox for free? Join my mailing list at https://casabona.org/streamlined SHOW NOTES __ __ 💬 Send me your thoughts: streamlinedfeedback.com https://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Am I overthinking how to approach episode 500? Plus, I got an android phone. Send feedback to https://streamlined feedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
We turned productivity into a fantasy draft! 🏆 Four small business owners battle it out, picking the apps and tools we live without — with some surprise steals, hot takes, and even a bonus round for our favorite analog gear. Looking for new ways to save time, systemize your business, and actually enjoy the tools you use? This draft is packed with ideas you’ll want to steal. Draft Order: __ __ WONDERING HOW YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR TIME TO FIND THE PERFECT BALANCE? TAKE THE BUSINESS OVERWHELM DIAGNOSTIC https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm. Show Notes __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
I just wrapped up a Social Growth for my friend Chenell’s community where I posted on LinkedIn for 40 days. Here’s what I learned and what’s next. Send your feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Can you really delegate out when YOU ARE YOUR BUSINESS? Don’t people hire you to work with…well, you? That’s the question Justin Moore and I wrestle with. We talk about the challenge of running personality-driven businesses, why it’s so hard to step away, and how to build a company that serves your life instead of consuming it. Justin shares how he’s built a coaching business with a team he trusts, why impact is his North Star, and the mindset shift that helped him let go of control. We also get real about balancing work with family time, the guilt that comes with stepping away, and why building a lifestyle business is just as valid as chasing a big exit. Things get real – it’s something all business owners need to think about. https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm Top Takeaways __ __ SHOW NOTES __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It seems like every day there’s a new tool designed to help us be more productive. They promise to help us to more, faster, better, with fewer resources. And it’s easy to get shiny object syndrome. So how do you know when it’s time to switch, or when it’s a waste of time and energy? Luckily, as a chronic tool switcher, I’ve thought a lot about this very problem. And I have a framework to help you decide. We’ll go through the 4 questions you should ask yourself when evaluating whether or not to switch. Then we’ll apply these tests to case studies so you can see how they work with actual examples. WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD SWITCH? GO TO HTTPS://SHOULDYOUSWITCH.COM https://shouldyouswitch.com/ TO APPLY THIS FRAMEWORK! What do you think? How do you decide when to switch tools? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ __ (00:00) - The Rapid Evolution of AI Tools (01:26) - Framework for Tool Switching (06:39) - Case Study: Dropbox to Google Drive (11:22) - Case Study: Cal.com to Calendly (13:30) - Case Study: Switching from Arc __ ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
I’m considering a membership again, but this one is different! I’m going to do a paid newsletter, powered by Memberful and Kit. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Running a business while raising kids feels impossible some days. Between checking emails at the playground and working after bedtime, it's easy to feel like you're failing at both. But what if there was a better way? Amanda Goetz has cracked the code on building an authentic business without the hustle culture nonsense. As a single mom of three who's built multiple six-figure income streams, she's learned that success isn't about doing more—it's about doing the right things at the right time. In this conversation, talk about her surprisingly simple systems that keep her business running while she stays present for her kids. Amanda shares the real strategies that work when you can't afford to waste time. But we also cover how to be authentic in an AI world, and she gives me the single best piece of advice I’ve personally gotten for how to balance both better. https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm SHOW NOTES __ __ http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It’s new iPhone Day! It was a big year for me as it was time to upgrade several of my devices. Here’s what I got, and why. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Ever go to do something – a task for your business, yard work, cooking – and suddenly realize you’re not sure where to start? It’s not that you don’t know what to do…you just need a little help organizing your thoughts. It would be a lot easier if everything is written down, step-by-step. That’s where SOPs come in. Most solopreneurs think SOPs are only for big companies with teams of 50+. But the truth? Even if you’re a business of one, SOPs (standard operating procedures) can save you time, reduce errors, and keep your business running smoothly—especially on the days when your energy or focus isn’t there. In this conversation with Layla Pomper of ProcessDriven, we dig into how SOPs can simplify your work, help you automate and delegate, and even free up more headspace for the creative stuff you actually enjoy. Trying to figure out which SOPs you should create first? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm. Top Takeaways __ __ SHOW NOTES __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Ever stumble into entrepreneurship by accident? Dylan Redekop did — and he’s built a business that lets him spend time with his family, stay fit, and still grow his newsletter. We get into freelancing vs. solopreneurship vs. contracting, why balance matters more than hustle, and the little systems that keep ideas from slipping through the cracks (while still allowing us to be present parents). https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm Top Takeaways __ __ Show Notes __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Ever feel like your business eats up every free moment? The truth is, you don’t need Taylor Swift-level fame or Hormozi-style hype to succeed. What you actually need is SPACE—room to create, promote, and step away without guilt. That’s why I use the GAPS FRAMEWORK: GEAR, AUTOMATIONS, PLAYBOOKS, AND SUPPORT. It’s the system that helped me reclaim 10–12 hours a week, even during one of the busiest summers of my life. In this episode, I break down how you can use GAPS to stop fighting with your tools, cut the manual busywork, and finally get your time back. TOP TAKEAWAYS __ __ SHOW NOTES __ __ ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
