It’s the annual gift guide episode! Except, instead of just talking at you for 40 minutes, This year, I’ve teamed up with my good friend Cat Mulvihill to bring you the ultimate 2024 Gift Guide for solopreneurs and anyone working from home. We talk home goods, tech, productivity, EDC, and more.

Our main goal fits perfectly with the mission too: we want to help you solve a problem…not just spend money unnecessarily.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for the solopreneur in your life, we’ve got you covered with thoughtful, problem-solving recommendations that’ll make the work-from-home experience smoother and more enjoyable.

And let us know, what’s something you can’t live without? Leave a message at streamlinedfeedback.com

Find Cat

• Cat Mulvihill
• Cat on LinkedIn
• Cat’s YouTube Channel

Want a special discount on all the Elgato stuff we mentioned? Use Cat's link and discount code: 

• https://elgato.sjv.io/catmulvihill
• Rebate Code at checkout: ZZ-CatMulvihill

Home and Office

• Dual Basket Air Fryer
• OXO Coffee Grinder (I incorrectly said “Bonavita” during the show, which is my coffee maker)
• Tea Kettle
• Lamy Fountain Pen
• Joe’s Pen Buyer’s Guide
• Oofos Sandals

Tech

• Rocketbook
• Rock Paper Pencil
• Doc Popps
• Kindle Colorsoft
• Kobo eReaders
• Stream Deck Plus
• Stream Deck Neo
• Cat’s Stream Deck Essentials Course
• Elgato Prompter 
• Elgato Light Remote 
• Brick
• Philips SmartSleep Alarm Clock
• iFixIt Kit
• RØDE Micro Mobile Wireless Mics
• DJI Mic
• External Hard Drive

EDC

• The James Brand Folsom Knife
• Shady Rays Sunglasses
• Nomad Watch Bands
• Beats Case for iPhone 16 Pro
• Bellroy Wallet
• Oura Ring

Software

• Ecamm Live
• Tella.tv

Contains affiliate links

• (00:00) - Introductions and Advice
• (04:06) - Comforts of Home
• (15:32) - Tech and Gear
• (42:07) - Everyday Carry Essentials
• (47:48) - Software Recommendations for Black Friday
• (55:07) - Removing Friction in Daily Life

Bringing a VA into your business can free up your time and help you focus on growth, but finding and effectively working with the right VA requires clarity on what you need, a structured hiring process, and simple, ongoing communication.

Many solopreneurs are overwhelmed by the process of hiring and working with a VA. You may not know where to start, what tasks to delegate, or how to ensure the VA’s work aligns with your business goals. This leads to hesitation, missed opportunities, and often burnout from handling too many tasks alone.

So today, I’m going to tell you how I work with my VA, and give you a 4-step process for finding and successfully working your VA.

Want that VA Notion template I mentioned? Head on over to https://streamlinedfeedback.com/  and leave a message!

Top Takeaways

• Define and Delegate Key Tasks: Start by identifying tasks that take up the most time but don’t require your direct involvement. Using the “perform, evaluate, and remove” framework helps clarify which tasks are best suited for delegation to a VA.
• Select and Test Multiple Candidates: To find a suitable VA, post a job on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or onlinejobs.ph, then test a shortlist of candidates on the same task. Evaluating each VA’s work on a small project helps gauge their skills and attention to detail.
• Create Videos for Each Task: Use video tutorials to record yourself completing each task, explaining each step clearly. Have the VA transcribe these instructions and write out steps, creating a documented process that they can refer back to as they work.

A few months ago I launched a free private podcast called Joe’s Audio Notes. The episodes are very short (7 minutes or less), where I share my thoughts on being a solopreneur, a podcaster, a parent, and other thoughts related to being a productive member of society.

I'm sharing 3 of the episodes here (which you can find in the chapter markers): 

• Thinking About my Content Strategy
• How do you pick the right idea?
• Battling the work hangover

If you like it, I'd love for you to join! 

You can sign up for free here.

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:22) - Thinking About my Content Strategy
• (07:00) - How do you pick the right idea?
• (12:42) - Battling the work hangover

Ever thought about creating an online course that truly makes a difference? One that actually helps people accomplish their goals? That’s exactly what guitar coach Den López has done. He transformed his life from being a car mechanic in Barcelona to becoming a successful online guitar instructor.

We’ll talk all about how he created the “Guitar in One Hour” Method that helps beginners play songs quickly without the usual frustration, his unique approach to designing courses that focus on actionable outcomes and real skill acquisition, and why he believes in giving away his best content for free to build trust.

If you’ve ever wanted to build a flexible lifestyle business, deliver an online course that actually gets results, or need that push to follow your passion, this episode is a must-listen.

Top Takeaways

• Prioritize Actionable Outcomes in Your Courses: Focus on helping students achieve specific skills or results, and embed practical exercises within your lessons to encourage active participation and skill acquisition.
• Provide Immediate Value to Build Trust: Offer valuable content for free to address your audience’s immediate needs, and use lead magnets that solve specific problems quickly.
• Utilize Simple and Accessible Technology: High-quality content doesn’t require expensive equipment. Using basic tools like a smartphone can be effective and efficient.

Show Notes

• Den López
• Learning guitar FREE Download

Being a business owner is hard. So is being a parent. So why don’t we hear more about how to do both well? Fret not – that’s why I brought Kim Caloca-Madden onto the show. 

We dive deep into why business owners with kids should build systems and how automation can be a game-changer for busy parents. Kim shares her personal journey from being a stay-at-home mom needing to generate income to becoming a powerhouse in business automation.

We also cover how automation enhances consistency and efficiency in your business, practical steps to start automating today, even if you’re a newbie, Kim’s favorite tools for streamlining tasks and managing time, and balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship without losing your sanity.

Want to get a head start on your automation journey with my free Automations Database? Go to https://streamlined.fm/freebie to download it. 

Top Takeaways

• Automation Enhances Consistency and Efficiency: Implementing automation in business processes helps deliver a consistent customer experience and reduces human error.
• Start Small with Automation: Begin by automating simple, repetitive tasks that consume time. Examples include task management, calendar synchronization, and email responses.
• Automation Requires Maintenance and Human Oversight. And remember, not all tasks should be automated; human interaction is necessary for certain aspects to maintain a personal touch.

Show Notes

• Kim Caloca-Madden
• Automators Podcast
• Getting Things Done by David Allen

The summer had one lasting effect I didn’t notice until recently: I made my schedule pretty open for anyone who wanted to meet. I didn’t want them to be limited to my limited availability, so I tried to be as open as possible. But over the last 2 weeks —really since my episode with Conny, I realized that I’ve let everyone else control my calendar.

I’ll take a meeting with almost anyone bc I feel they are the best way to form relationships, but I’m not vetting those people. I’m not creating boundaries for my meetings either. I even have a calendar that’s totally open for friends — but I’ve sent it to more than friends.

If you’re a busy solopreneur — especially a parent or someone with other obligations — this can kill productivity.

So how do we fix it? That’s what we’re talking about today.

• One Big Problem: I’m not guarding my time
• One Small Fix: Cal.com
• Feedback: Working with a VA

Get your free automations database at https://streamlined.fm/freebie

Top Takeaways

• You need to control your own calendar instead of letting other people control it.
• That means asking yourself when you can block time off for no meetings, how many meetings you want to take in a day, and what’s the criteria for if you take a meeting or not.
• Cal.com is an excellent tool for creating a system that will manage your calendar for you.

Show Notes

• Cal.com
• Submit feedback

My love-hate[but mostly hate] relationship with social media is well documented. It feels like a time-suck where you get into arguments with people who don’t care about anything you say. People tell me it’s great to grow your business…I just don’t see it. 

But Katie Brinkley has changed that for me. She elevates CEOs to become thought leaders and disruptors in their industries. And she does it mostly through social media. 

By the end of this episode, she’ll give you strategies for choosing the right social networks, posting (3-4 times per week max), as well as how to waste less time and make more sales. 

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Katie and I talk about brand social media vs. personal social media? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. 

Top Takeaways

• Select the Right Platforms: Focus on one or two platforms where your target audience is most active. Remember each platform has its own culture.
• Prioritize Genuine Engagement: Spend time connecting and commenting on others' posts to build relationships. Engagement is more impactful than frequent posting without interaction.
• Use Hashtags Strategically: Identify and engage with hashtags your ideal clients are using. This approach helps you connect more effectively with your target audience.

Show Notes

• Katie Brinkley 
• Stampede Social on Instagram
• Manychat
• The Social Shift

It’s easy for people who live unconstrained lives to give advice. “Just meditate for 2 hours each morning.” “Hustle.” “Get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy.” 

The truth is that most people have some constraints to live by. Whether it’s kids, work, or other obligations, we can’t just drop everything to follow the latest guru. 

That’s why I like Conny Graf’s approach. Conny has many credentials, but the one I like best is “certified clutter-clearing practitioner.” And today, she’s going to tell you how you can reasonably declutter your life to turn chaos into peace.

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I  talk about the chaotic day leading up to this interview? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. 

Top Takeaways

1. Chaos is when you have too many things going on, a cluttered environment, and a packed calendar that leads to stress and lack of focus. Recognize the early warning signs that you're slipping into chaos, like feeling agitated or nervous.
2. Be intentional about your priorities and learn to say no more often. Not everything is equally important - focus on the "glass balls" in life like family and relationships. Give yourself grace when you can't be at your best.
3. Declutter your physical spaces a little bit each day. Create designated spots for things like shoes and papers. Optimize your environment to support your daily activities and prevent stuff from piling up.
4. Finding peace is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Make small adjustments over time, reflect on what's working and what's not, and continuously optimize your life and business. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Show Notes

• Conny Graf
• Aligning Your Values to Set the Right Goals with Tanya Alvarez

Do you hate social media as much as I do? Some experts will tell you that you need social media to market,  but that’s increasingly not true. Gone are the heady days of Twitter, where you can tweet a link and people would actually see it. 

That’s why I brought on Emily Aborn, a Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. She’s also a wealth of information on how to market by making sure you have a great product, and much like her, a ton of personality. 

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Emily and I discuss the importance of a strong personal brand? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated.

Top Takeaways

1. Having a high-quality product or service that solves your target audience's problems is the foundation of effective marketing
2. Collaborating with others in your industry can help expand your reach and build trust with new audiences. 
3. Focusing on marketing strategies that align with your strengths, interests, and values can lead to more authentic and effective marketing efforts.

Show Notes

• Emily Aborn
• Forget The Funnel 
• Stop doing "Sales" and Start Having Conversations with Nikki Rausch
• Leveraging Guesting
• Podmatch
• Content With Character Podcast

I made an unexpected $300 over a weekend in September. And I know that doesn’t sound like a lot — but it’s money I didn’t have, that I have now. That is the power of launching messy — something my friend Stacey encouraged me to do, and what I want to talk about today in a solo episode with some freshly minted segments:

1. One Big Problem: How to get over the fear of making something perfect before launching it
2. One Small Fix: Using Tella.tv to easily create videos as a way to update my product
3. Feedback: Send yours in at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

Top Takeaways

1. Overcoming Perfectionism: Don't let the pursuit of perfection prevent you from launching your product. Follow the advice of creating a minimum viable product (MVP) and iterate from there. This helps you get real feedback and make improvements based on actual user experience.
2. Soft Launching: Consider soft launching your product to a small group of users. This approach allows you to gather essential feedback and make necessary adjustments before a full-scale launch. Offer early access discounts as an incentive for early adopters.
3. Find the right tool for the job: I got so caught up in making it perfect, that I overlooked the real value of Podcast Navigator: advice and access. With Tella, I’m able to easily provide both to my customers.

Show Notes

• Podcast Navigator
• Tella

• (00:00) - Welcome!
• (00:50) - The Big Problem: Launching
• (08:08) - The Small Fix: Tella.TV
• (11:22) - Feedback: Submit Yours Today!

I’ve been thinking a lot about the notion of starting simple (or messy) vs. starting perfect. And while I definitely fall more on the side of “start messy and iterate,” there are a few places where you shouldn’t skimp. 

A good home studio is one of them, which is why I brought on my friend Junaid. He’s a “Home Studio Architect,” and he’s a wealth of knowledge. We talk about why you need at least good audio, how to improve your setup without breaking the bank, and the absolute non-negotiables. 

By the end of the episode, you’ll know exactly what you need to sound more authoritative with your content.

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Junaid and I talk about our specific setups? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. 

Top Takeaways

• Start Small with Video Quality: Don't let the barrier of high-end equipment stop you from creating content. Your smartphone is good enough to start.
• Lighting is Key: Optimizing your studio lighting can make a big difference. Understand the roles of key lights, fill lights and backlights. Experiment with different setups until you find what works best for you.
• Invest in a Good Microphone: For podcasting and video recording, audio quality is most important. You can find a great mic for $100-250, depending on your budget.

Show Notes

• Junaid Ahmed
• 7 Stages of Home Studio Evolution
• Want to be a Better speaker? Do THESE things with Mike Pacchione
• Mastering iPhone Video Production
• Your First Podcast Setup
• What's on my Desk?