Growing a solo service business is tough. It’s even harder when you’re bombarded with BS advice that steers you away from your values and why you started your business in the first place. This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings. Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in y ...
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51
Bigger is Not Better: Staying Solo as a Strategic Choice
16:44
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Ever been told that when it comes to your business, bigger is better? As solo business owners, we’re constantly inundated with advice telling us we “need” to grow and scale. But is that really the case? (Spoiler: it’s not!) In this episode, we’re unpacking why the pressure to scale often backfires and leaves service business owners stressed, overwo…
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Staying Strategically Small as a Service Business Owner
7:54
7:54
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In a world of celebrity entrepreneurs pedalling generic business advice unsuitable for SERVICE or SOLO business owners, I’ve spent years separating fact from fiction. That’s precisely why we’re announcing some exciting changes to this podcast. Here’s what you need to know. With our next episode, the BS-Free Service Business show will rebrand as the…
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Halfway Highlights: Wins, Lessons, & the Inside Scoop on the Rest of 2024
12:30
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If you’re anything like me, you love it when people let you peek behind the curtains of their business so you can see what's really going on. In today’s episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my businesses and sharing my halfway highlights now that we’re halfway through 2024. Topics discussed in this episode include: What’s been going on econ…
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Staying Solo: What Every One-Person Business Should Know
15:52
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What if I told you that the key to a sustainable business (that you don’t want to burn to the ground once a week) ISN’T doing more? It's about doing LESS — but doing it better. In this episode, I’m flipping the script on your default “hustle hard” programming and sharing what really matters when growing a service business as a solopreneur. Topics d…
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Mid-Year Goals Review: Refresh, Reflect and Reset
11:15
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This time of year gives us a natural time to pause and take stock of what’s happening in our businesses. Think of it this way: it’s about curiosity, not comparison, and finding joy, not judgment. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple way to reset and recharge your business for the rest of 2024. Topics discussed in this episode include: Why pausing …
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The sun is shining, summer is right around the corner and for many of us, we’re ready to get outside and play. The problem? Hustle culture tells us that we need to work work work. Otherwise, our business will crumble. And even if we DO take some time off, we should still be available to our clients. But those are just a few of the many lies we’ve b…
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1
The Antidote to Overwhelm and Overwork When You Work With Clients
17:00
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Have you ever started your Monday morning with a strong sense of existential dread and wondered how you could get all of your client work done… let alone any work ON your business? Next thing you know, the week has flown by, and it feels like the to-do list is just as long—if not even longer—than when you started. The overwhelm is real and it’s tim…
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Pricing Survival Guide for a Messed-Up Economy
21:08
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2023 was a wild ride for the economy, with countless twists and turns that left many business owners unsure how to price their services. The good news? We’re still here, running our businesses and making it work. The tricky part is staying flexible enough to weather whatever the economy throws our way next. As we continue our series on the number y…
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Making the Math “Math” for Your Service Business
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When it comes to bad business advice, some of the worst I’ve ever received was about my financials. And even if you’re pulling in good money, following lousy advice can leave you underpaid and constantly feeling like you're scrambling for every dollar. You’re working for your money, but your money definitely isn’t working for you. In this episode, …
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Consumer Caution: Understanding the Risks of Payment Plans in Online Business
46:25
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This week, we’re sharing our most recent Duped episode where we discuss understanding the risks of payment plans in online business. _______________________________________ Have you ever bought something on a payment plan and quickly realized you’re unsatisfied, but there’s no way out? The fact is, not all payment plans are created equal. While the…
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1
Exits and Evolutions: Change is the Only Constant
16:48
16:48
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Running a business can be a rollercoaster. One minute, you’re up; the next, you’re down; some days, it can feel like you’re hanging on for dear life. While the ride can sometimes feel invigorating, other times it can feel downright terrifying. So, how do you learn to adapt and roll with the changes as they come? In this episode, we're wrapping up o…
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The Art of Reinvention with AdeOla Fadumiye
26:28
26:28
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Have you ever daydreamed about chucking it all in and leaving your business behind for something new? While this daydream isn’t uncommon, it’s often hard to conceptualize how (or why!) you’d walk away from a thriving business. In the last Exits and Evolution series interview, I interviewed fractional integrator and operations strategist AdeOla Fadu…
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Building a Business by Blending Products and Services with Zoe Linda
46:07
46:07
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As a service business owner, have you ever wondered if adding products would be a solid revenue-generation strategy? The reality is that despite being told that creating courses and other products is a fast path to passive income, it’s far easier said than done. In this episode, Zoe Linda shares how she blended products and services and adapted her…
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Mindful Marketing: Andréa Jones Shares Her Social Media Evolution
39:07
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Do you ever feel like keeping up with social media is impossible? Or maybe you don’t even care to try in the first place? With social media constantly evolving, and as a business owner, it can be hard to gauge what actually matters and how much time and effort you “should” be throwing behind it. In this episode, Andréa Jones, a mindful marketing st…
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From Solo to Agency and Back Again with Jules Taggart
33:38
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To keep the conversation going about Exits and Evolutions, we have our first guest of this series: Jules Taggart. She’s gone from being a solo business owner to an agency owner and is back to being solo again. In this episode, Jules, a fractional CMO and the founder of Wayward Kind, shares how she built an agency and transitioned back to a solo bus…
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Exits and Evolutions: Navigating Change in Your Service Business
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It’s easy to think making changes to your business will magically solve your problems. But let’s be honest. Change can be HARD, so when do you know when it’s the right time to make a change? In this episode, I’m sharing how to recognize when to adapt, whether keeping up with trends, using new tech, or meeting customers’ changing needs. (And when ma…
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This week, we're sharing our most recent Duped episode, where we break down what's going on in the world of "ethical" business. _____________ Is the state of ethical business actually improving in 2024? Are we actually making some progress? Well, it’s a good news/bad news kind of story. The good is that we’re finally starting to see more and more p…
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The Real Cost of Bad Boundaries with Clients
19:16
19:16
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Real talk about working with clients: Whether you’re battling scope creep or sacrificing your personal time and energy to meet client demands, you can easily end up feeling tired and resentful. Having boundaries with clients is essential or our business dreams can turn into a full-on nightmare. In this episode, we’re looking at the real cost of “ba…
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Are you holding your business back if you don’t blog, podcast, and post on social media? The reality of content creation is that it costs precious time, money and so much more. But is it actually worth it? The answer? It depends! In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the real cost of content creation. Get ready to uncover the truth behind th…
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1
The Real Cost of Building Multiple Streams of Income
19:48
19:48
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You’re busy and booked but looking for ways to make more money. Welcome to the service business owner’s dilemma! In this episode of the ‘Real Cost Of’ series, I’m cutting the BS by debunking myths and unveiling the real costs of adding new income streams. Topics covered in this episode include: The challenges of trying to grow your revenue when you…
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Have you ever wondered what creating an agency costs? If you’re wondering if it’s the right move for your service business, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode. In this installment of the 'Real Cost Of' series, I’m taking you behind the scenes and spilling the tea on the real costs of agency ownership, including the financial realities…
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1
The Real Cost of Tech and Tools for Solopreneurs
16:23
16:23
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Ready to uncover the must-haves and money pits in your solo business tech toolkit? In this episode of the 'Real Cost Of' series, we'll dig deep into the world of tech and tools for solopreneurs. Discover what's essential, what's extravagant, and the red flags to watch out for!\ Topic covered in this episode include: How the tech stack used by solop…
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The Real Cost Of Growing a Service Business
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16:35
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To kick off 2024, we’re back with a fresh new series called "The Real Cost Of”. Because let’s be real, we’re all tired of the smoke and mirrors. In this series, I’m giving you the unfiltered truth about the REAL costs of building and growing a service-based business. (And it’s not just about the money, it’s about everything else this journey can co…
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Schemes on Your Screens: A 2023 Recap and 2024 Predictions
1:03:16
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The BS-Free Service Business show will be taking a break through the holidays, so please enjoy this new episode of Duped - Schemes on Your Screens: A 2023 Recap and 2024 Predictions. As 2023 comes to a close, we wanted to reflect on the year that was and make some predictions about what lies ahead in 2024. For detailed show notes and links to every…
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2023 is nearly over, so it’s time for my annual look back at the year. In this episode, I will share my high and lowlights, what I really think about this weird year, and what’s on deck for 2024. For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com. To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at htt…
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1
Your Guide to Marketing a Service Based Business
17:21
17:21
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There are two types of service business owners I encounter when I talk about marketing. First, there’s the marketers. They’re always happy to be testing things out in their own business. Then, there are the rest of the service business owners who would rather do anything but marketing. In this episode, I’m sharing my guide to marketing a service-ba…
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The State of Online Business Right Now (Fall 2023 Update)
27:32
27:32
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The BS-Free Service Business show will be taking a break this week, and you can expect a new episode next week. This week, please enjoy a new episode of Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business, to celebrate it's kickoff! We wanted to start off this season with a state of the industry, a state of the nation, if you will, on what's going on with onli…
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The Different Types of Support for Entrepreneurs
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17:44
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Do you need a coach? To buy a program? Or just a regular massage? Support comes in many different forms for our business, but do you figure out what kind of support you need? In this episode, I’m digging into the different types of support for entrepreneurs and how to figure out what’s right for you. For detailed show notes and links to everything …
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1
Keeping Your Business Simple and Sustainable (A Check-In)
15:57
15:57
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Simplicity and sustainability are the cornerstones of having a business without the BS and that works for you. But it’s far too easy to make plans and decisions that can overcomplicate everything. In this episode, I’m sharing six specific things to check in on before you start making big plans. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/simple-and-sustainab…
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1
Leadership Fundamentals for a Successful Agency
10:32
10:32
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Building a successful agency requires a lot of different skills. Especially leadership skills. But which ones do you need to focus on? Which ones make the most difference? In this episode, I share the top six leadership skills every micro agency owner needs. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/successful-agency…
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Every business owner knows that growth is never linear. Sometimes, it’s so far from a straight line that you wonder if you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, we’re looking at the messy and momentous growth path for micro agency owners. Learn more at: bsfreeebusiness.com/growth-path-for-micro-agency…
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Like every business model out there, the micro agency is subject to a wide variety of myths that are total and complete BS. In this episode, we’re going to look at what a micro agency is and dispel four common myths. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/microagency
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If you want to grow your service business, you may wonder what your options really are. Do you need to hire? Do you need a team? What’s really right for you? According to conventional business wisdom, there are only two paths to follow when growing a service business. (Don’t get me started on how this lacks nuance and is genuinely some oversimplifi…
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It’s been a weird year, and I know I’m not alone. Is it the economy? Is it something else? And WTF should we all be doing about it? In this episode, I will share my thoughts and some insights into what’s happening this year for so many of us business-wise. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/truths-about-2023…
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1
Practical Pricing for Service Business Owners
16:03
16:03
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It impacts everything from the types of clients you work with to how much money you can pay yourself and even how you feel about your work. In this episode, I’m sharing a practical and proven approach to pricing for service business owners. Learn more at bsfreebusiness.com/pricing-of-services
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The Dark Side of Online Business: A Call for the Status Quo to Dramatically Change
47:45
47:45
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This is a re-release of an episode we recorded three years ago, but it is foundational to my work. It takes a look at the problems and the tactics and online business and while it's been a few years, unfortunately, it's still all very valid. So, I thought it was worth pulling out of the archives. ___ Have you ever looked around at some of the other…
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Staying Solo: Ditching Busy Work with Systems
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12:24
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Systems can be powerful for a solo business owner, but unfortunately, they can also totally derail you. In the final installment of the Staying Solo series, we’re looking at systems and their crucial role in helping you stay solo by ditching the busy work. Learn more at: bsfreebusiness.com/ditching-busywork-with-systems…
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Staying Solo: Using Strategy to Break the Income Ceiling
21:35
21:35
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21:35
One of the biggest frustrations faced by service business owners who want to stay solo is that they feel like they’re eventually going to hit an income ceiling. If you’re not familiar with the concept of an income ceiling, it’s essentially when you can’t make any more money because you’ve hit the maximum pricing you can charge and the number of cli…
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Staying Solo: What Support Do You Really Need?
18:43
18:43
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Solo doesn’t mean alone. You don’t need to go it alone with your service business. In fact, you shouldn’t. But what kind of support do you need, and when? In this episode, we’re diving into just what kinds of support you need as a solo business owner…and it’s about way more than simply hiring a random coach or taking yet another course. Find out mo…
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Staying Solo: Rethinking Planning to Focus on Seasons
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Most of us start our businesses for more flexibility and freedom, but somewhere along the way find that we’re trapped in a cycle of hustling. To stay solo, you need a realistic planning process that works for you and keeps you from chasing things that simply don’t matter to you. In this episode of the Staying Solo series, we’re talking about planni…
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Staying Solo: Carving Out Consistent Space
22:22
22:22
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22:22
Service business owners often think that the “service” part of the business model means they have to run themselves ragged serving their clients. Or that they need to work around the clock to reach their goals. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, we’re digging into the need for “space” as a solopreneur, what that really means,…
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Staying Solo: Getting Your Salary Paid First
23:20
23:20
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Too many solo business owners are underpaid (or not paid at all) as they fall into the trap of overinvesting in the business or pricing their services too low. And I’m not here for it. In this episode, we’re looking at the nuts and bolts of paying yourself a salary as a solo business owner as part of our Staying Solo series. Find out more at: bsfre…
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Staying Solo: Your Framework for a Simple, Sustainable Service Business
18:52
18:52
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Have you ever been told you’re playing small? Or that for you to have a legit business, you need a team? Or that you must have a mindset issue if you’re not wanting to constantly grow? I definitely have, and in this episode, we’re having a heart-to-heart about the idea that “staying solo” means you’re playing small because nothing could be further …
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…summer! It’s time for fun in the sun, beach reads, being by the water, and living it up. And now’s the time to prepare for the summer slowdown so you can make the most of it. In this episode, I’m sharing practical ideas for ensuring you have a summer slowdown, including getting your priorities in order, taki…
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Does NLP Work for Coaching? What You Need to Know with Kathleen Oh
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In this episode, we’re exploring the world of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and its use in the online business and coaching world, with a focus on what you, as a consumer, need to be aware of. I’m joined by Kathleen Oh, a coach trained as a Master Practitioner in NLP, to get her perspective on its problems and the potential for harm. Learn mor…
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Sustainable Systems: Simple Sales for Every Service Business
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Does selling your services stress you out? Do you wish you could skip it entirely and focus on doing what you do best? You’re not alone in that I know many of you hate making sales because it sucks up so much time and energy. In this episode, we will ditch the stress and get your time back by diving into simple sales for every service business. Fin…
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Sustainable Systems: Tame the Client Service Chaos
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We’ve all been there. We’re overwhelmed and ready to burn it all down if one more client asks you one more question. It’s chaos, and you’re out of capacity for any of it. In this episode, we examine how sustainable client service systems can help you tame the client service chaos. Find out more at: bsfreebusiness.com/client-service-chaos…
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1
Sustainable Systems for Your Service Business
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What if there was a way to do less of the things that drag you down and more of what you enjoy doing in your business? What if what you’ve been taught about systems is way too complicated for what you actually need? In this episode, we’re talking about creating sustainable systems for your service business, including why it can be so much simpler t…
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The Realities of Burnout and Your Business with Brittany Berger
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We’re all familiar with the idea of being burnt out, especially over the last few years. Many of us have experienced burnout firsthand. But why is burnout so pervasive in online business? And should we trust the people peddling burnout solutions who used to sell us hustle culture? In this episode, I explore the realities of burnout and your busines…
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Back in late 2021, I made a decision that changed my business. I decided that starting in January 2022, our office would be closed on Fridays. This decision was made in addition to our two annual office closures in July and September, closing our office for 57 work days. In this episode, I’m sharing how exactly I did it and what you need to conside…
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