Flying Solo

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The show for those starting or running a one person business, hosted by Cec Busby. With over 100,000 members and stacks of resources, Flying Solo keeps you on track.

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October 29, 202644 min

How to break free from procrastination in just two minutes

Procrastination can feel like a heavy weight, especially when you're juggling the demands of solo work. In this week’s episode of Flying Solo, Lizzie Williamson, motivational speaker and author of Just Two Minutes, shares her journey from feeling stuck to empowering others to take action, no matter how small the step. Lizzie discusses the prevalent mindset that keeps us waiting for the perfect conditions to act. "We think we need a certain amount of time or energy or motivation to get started," she explains. This leads to a crippling cycle of postponement. "We're waiting for the conditions to be perfect to do the thing that would so often change the actual conditions."The core idea of Lizzie's approach is simple: just start with two minutes. This concept emerged from her own struggles with postnatal depression, where even small actions felt monumental. By committing to just two minutes, she found momentum. Lizzie advocates for utilising little pockets of time throughout the day to foster productivity. Whether you’re waiting for a kettle to boil or in line at the grocery store, these moments can be transformed into opportunities for action. As soloists, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the long to-do lists. Lizzie reminds listeners that these feelings are normal and not a reflection of personal failings. Instead, she encourages using biochemistry to shift your state and spark motivation. A simple walk can trigger creativity and clarity, helping to break the cycle of inaction. We can use our own biochemistry to help shift our state and get us into a place where we are feeling more motivated. Key topics The concept of 'just two minutes' to start action Overcoming the all-or-nothing mindset The role of body movement in shifting mental states Strategies for solo entrepreneurs to manage overwhelm The importance of sharing struggles and building community Reframing failure and embracing small wins The impact of comparison and how to rewire your brain Practical tips for starting when scared or overwhelmed Time-stamped overview 00:00Introduction to Lizzie Williamson and episode overview 00:28 Why we wait to take action and the all-or-nothing mindset 02:14 The concept of perfect conditions and how they hold us back 04:10 The origin of the 'just two minutes' idea from Lizzie's personal story 08:01 Lizzie's transition from dancer to motivational speaker and author 10:35 Using movement and mindset to shift states and overcome stuckness 12:44 The importance of taking small steps and celebrating progress 14:41 Managing overwhelm and the power of biochemistry in motivation 18:23 Overcoming fear and stepping out of comfort zones 21:07 The value of sharing struggles and community support 23:20 The superhero mindset and power poses for confidence 24:48 Turning the all-or-nothing mindset into all-or-something 27:08 Celebrating small wins and building momentum 28:48 Reframing comparison and social media triggers 38:55 Dealing with the excuse voice and procrastination 42:03 The importance of two-minute actions as an anchor 43:11 Final encouragement to start with just two minutes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 22, 202635 min

How to stop paying the 'attention tax' and get mega focused

Attention is one of the most valuable resources in a solo business, yet it’s constantly being pulled toward emails, notifications, scrolling, and other low-priority tasks. In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby speaks with Adam Williams, author of Mega Focus, about the “attention tax”: the cost of giving your focus to the wrong things.. Adam explains why multitasking is really rapid task-switching, how distraction trains the brain toward easier work, and why willpower alone won’t protect your focus. The conversation covers practical ways to “remove to improve,” identify what deserves your attention, protect your energy, and create more space for meaningful work, creativity, and the life you want to build. The attention tax Adam Williams defines the attention tax as “paying attention to the wrong things,” especially when something less important displaces what matters most 03:17. The cost isn’t only lost time. It’s what that time could have become if directed toward your goals, relationships, or business 24:34. Adam Williams illustrates the idea through his struggle to put down his phone and give his daughter his full attention 02:02. Attention is a personal choice, even when technology is competing aggressively for it 17:02. The brain’s “architect” and “builder” Adam Williams describes the deliberate mind as the architect, designing the life you want, and the automatic mind as the builder, carrying out familiar behaviours 06:39. The builder seeks to conserve energy, avoid discomfort, and find immediate rewards 07:13. Easy emails, notifications, and small administrative tasks can feel productive while merely creating activity instead of meaningful progress 08:15. Repeatedly switching tasks trains the builder to keep returning to whatever is easiest and most comfortable 09:12. Why multitasking damages focus Adam Williams says multitasking can lower IQ by 10 points and makes people slower, less creative, and more prone to mistakes 10:53. The brain doesn’t truly process two tasks at once. It switches rapidly between them 12:02. An interruption can take only a few seconds, but the recovery period may stretch to around 23 minutes before full focus returns 09:39. A short interruption often leads to checking email, following links, and losing track of where the original task was left 10:04. Building an environment for better attention Willpower won’t hold up for long. Adam Williams recommends changing the environment so distractions are harder to reach 22:39. His “remove to improve” approach focuses on subtracting distractions instead of adding more productivity tools 23:16. Treating a smartphone like a wall phone, keeping it in one place, and using a computer where possible can reduce unnecessary checking 17:58. Writing down unfinished thoughts at night helps with “cognitive offloading” and makes it easier to close the day and sleep 34:26. 00:00 Balancing work and family mornings 04:48 Managing Priorities and Focus 09:12 Training the builder mindset 12:44 Intelligence vs. Attention and Focus 17:02 Personal responsibility with technology 19:39 Managing Attention and Self-Identity 23:16 Understanding subtractive wisdom 25:15 Introducing the attention tax calculator 30:35 Exploring Personal Happiness and Desires 34:26 Prioritising sleep and focus 35:41 Adam Williams' book release     Host: Cec Busby Sound: Abu Baker Guest: Adam Williams. Find out more about Adam. Adam's Book Mega Focus is out October 28 2026, through Wiley. Key topicsTimestamped overviewListen now: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 15, 202634 min

Difficult conversations without the dread

Difficult conversations rarely improve with age. Whether it’s scope creep, late payment, missed deadlines, or a client relationship turning sour, avoiding the issue can turn a small problem into an expensive dispute. In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby talks with workplace lawyer Jennifer Bicknell, the “un-lawyery lawyer,” about how to tackle uncomfortable conversations with clarity and empathy. Jennifer Bicknell shares her six W’s for planning a conversation, explains why “help me understand” can change the tone, and offers practical ways to set boundaries without damaging the relationship. Start with the problem while it’s still small, she says, before it becomes a volcano. 1. Why difficult conversations get avoided Jennifer Bicknell says conflict avoidance is normal, but allowing problems to continue creates bigger consequences. She compares avoidance to trying to will away a toothache at 01:24. Her analysis of workplace disputes found three recurring reasons: people don’t know what to say, want to be liked, or fear something bad will happen at 02:13. Avoidance can lead to poor sleep, increased legal costs, and small disputes that grow into “a little bit like a volcano” at 03:42. Jennifer Bicknell advises dealing with problems while they’re still small, when humour and a lighter approach may still be possible at 31:54. 2. Handling scope creep and late payments Scope creep often begins with small requests that business owners accept because they want to please the client or protect the relationship at 05:16. Instead of framing additional work as letting a client down, Jennifer Bicknell recommends presenting it as an opportunity to create more value, then discussing the new price at 06:48. For unpaid invoices, she suggests finding out whether the issue is financial dissatisfaction or something else before deciding what to do next at 08:06. If a client hasn’t paid, Jennifer Bicknell recommends pausing further work and saying, “we need to settle our outstanding accounts” before continuing at 08:56. 3. A practical structure for difficult conversations Jennifer Bicknell teaches the “6 W’s” for planning: define what winning looks like, identify who you’re speaking with, clarify the what and why, choose when to speak, and consider where the conversation should happen at 12:01. The issue should be explainable in one or two sentences. Otherwise, she warns, people risk delivering “verbal vomit” instead of a clear message at 12:54. Her execution framework starts with a little small talk, followed by a clear statement of the topic, then space for the other person to respond at 18:43.After listening, move into solution mode, agree on an outcome, and review it later if needed at 20:09 4. Staying clear without escalating conflict Jennifer Bicknell recommends focusing on behaviour rather than labelling the person. Saying “you are a bully” shuts down the conversation, while describing the behaviour keeps it open at 15:57. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt and use the phrase “You may not have realised it, but…” to create room for them to acknowledge the impact of their actions at 17:09. Keep feedback short and explain why the issue matters instead of using a confusing feedback sandwich at 22:06. When emotions rise, stay calm, speak privately, and return to the relevant contract, terms of service, or position description rather than making it personal at 27:18. 00:00 Reasons for workplace disputes 05:57 Navigating client requests 08:06 Handling client payments and issues 13:20 Discussing timely work delivery 17:09 Discussing communication and conflict resolution 18:43 Starting a conversation with ease 22:06 Effective feedback delivery 27:18 Handling disagreements thoughtfully 30:37 Avoiding Free Work Pitfalls 32:44 Trusting Your Business Instincts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 8, 202638 min

How to get from stuck to unstuck with Switch Thinking

If you’ve ever spent hours circling the same business problem, this episode is for you. Cec Busby speaks with organisational creativity expert Ken Hudson, author of Switch Thinking, about breaking familiar thought patterns and getting unstuck in just a couple of minutes. Ken explains how switching perspectives, questions, focus, assumptions, and creative modes can open up new possibilities. From finding customers in cafés and gyms to using AI without outsourcing your creativity, this conversation offers practical ways for solo business owners to think differently, test ideas quickly, and move from “I know” to “I wonder.” Starting with one word: “switch.” Key topics 1. Breaking out of familiar thinking patterns Ken Hudson explains that repeated success reinforces familiar thinking, which can trap business owners in the same approach 01:25. Saying “switch” deliberately signals to your brain that it’s time to try another perspective 02:54. The new approach doesn’t have to be better immediately. It only needs to get you off the familiar track 03:43. Ken Hudson compares this to leaving a traffic jam and exploring a side street, even if you don’t know where it leads 03:53. 2. Using box mode and ball mode Box mode covers rational, logical, structured thinking and evaluating what has worked before 12:01. Ball mode encourages playful, imaginative thinking and the generation of unusual possibilities 12:30. Ken Hudson suggests switching from “This is what I know” to “I wonder” to open up creative options 13:22. Switching back to box mode helps test and narrow those ideas, such as choosing three ideas to test within 30 days 17:05. 3. Asking better questions Questions are one of Ken Hudson’s six switches, and changing the question can change the direction of the thinking 14:05. Instead of asking how to attract graduates, a consulting firm asked how to become “the most loved brand in Australia” 15:11\ 4. Applying switch thinking to business and AI Ken Hudson applied switch thinking to book promotion by placing copies in a café, professional waiting rooms, and a gym instead of relying only on bookstores 07:35. Business owners can switch their focus from direct competitors to what they’re really competing against, such as inertia, loyalty, or a client’s reluctance to take risks 25:03. AI can process and enhance ideas, but Ken Hudson says the original creative thinking still starts with the business owner 06:56. His practical AI approach is to request both a box-mode response and a more imaginative ball-mode response, then connect the two 31:50. Time-stamped overview 00:00 Challenging familiar thinking patterns 05:50 Using AI for business and hobbies 09:03 Intuitive communication skills 12:43 Switching from analytical to creative thinking 14:40 Shifting business perspectives 18:52 Embracing new possibilities in business 21:44 Different perspectives on a movie 25:37 Managing client risks and competition 28:47 Wearing many hats in business 32:32 Using AI to Enhance Creativity 35:20 Switching mindset and focus 37:51 Closing remarks and sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 1, 202648 min

Defying the status quo: A conversation on courage

What does it take to challenge the rules everyone else accepts? In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby speaks with Avril Henry, who left apartheid South Africa at 22 with two suitcases and $500, then built a career advising business leaders, public servants, diplomats, and major Australian institutions. Avril Henry shares how questioning authority shaped her life, why women are labelled “difficult” when they stand their ground, and how preparation, evidence, and influence can turn uncomfortable questions into meaningful change. The conversation covers paid maternity leave, gender equity, imposter syndrome, negotiating your worth, and the importance of taking up space and standing your ground. As Avril puts it, “Do not make yourself small to make other people feel comfortable” Key topics Avril Henry's early life in South Africa and her anti-apartheid activism The importance of questioning authority and challenging societal norms The role of influence and soft skills in leadership and change management Myths about women in leadership and how to bust them The impact of preparation, research, and confidence in negotiations and influence The significance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and human connection in future leadership Time-stamped overview 00:00 Introduction and Avril's background 01:56 Growing up in South Africa and early influences 03:56 The 76 riots and activism against apartheid 07:00 Leaving South Africa and migrating to Australia 08:58 Questioning authority and societal norms 11:02 Change management and influence tactics 14:10 Dealing with being called difficult or disruptive 16:01 The importance of preparation and research 19:00 Impact of data and facts in influencing decision-makers 21:57 Myths about women in leadership roles 26:00 The future of leadership and soft skills 35:57 Leveraging soft skills and emotional intelligence 41:01 The role of AI and human connection 42:52 Advice for women who want to be more assertive 45:00 The importance of self-belief and mentorship 47:56 Closing thoughts and Avril's memoir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 24, 202639 min

Navigating the line between business and self

When you run a business that depends on you, it’s easy to let it consume every aspect of your life.   In this conversation with psychologist Faye Evans, we explore the pitfalls of entrepreneurial life and how to maintain a sense of self amid the chaos. "We fuse with a business and we become it," Faye explains, highlighting the dangers of tying our self-worth to our business successes or failures. This realisation led her to write her book, Soulful Simplicity, which offers strategies for maintaining personal identity in the face of overwhelming responsibilities. "Life is about refinement... Life is about making choices Key topics The line between personal identity and business ownership How entrepreneurs fuse with their businesses The impact of chronic stress on decision-making and creativity Practices for creating mental space and mindfulness Reframing burnout as profound exhaustion The importance of clarifying personal and business values Strategies for simplifying life and business The role of self-compassion and permission in recovery Time-stamped overview 00:00 Introduction to the challenges of solo entrepreneurship 02:16 COVID-19's impact and the identity crisis for entrepreneurs 04:09 The awakening: recognising profound exhaustion 05:04 The cultural glorification of busyness and exhaustion 06:00 The importance of self-awareness and boundary setting 06:48 Personality traits that may increase susceptibility to burnout 08:09 The importance of space and silence for mental clarity 09:38 Challenging the badge of honor around being busy 12:03 Life as a process of refinement and intentional living 12:39 The normalization of chronic stress and adaptation 13:34 Deciding to turn the focus inward and change 16:28 The impact of chronic stress on brain function and decision-making 18:05 Practical practices for creating mental space 22:34 Overcoming discomfort with doing nothing 26:45 Simplifying life and business to regain control 30:17 The importance of self-compassion and updating internal patterns 34:01 The danger of the competence trap in business 36:46 Clarifying purpose and values to prevent burnout 37:55 Living intentionally and making conscious choices 39:00 Final thoughts: reclaiming your life and business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 17, 202641 min

How to become known for what you do

Being good at what you do doesn’t help much if nobody knows you exist. In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby speaks with visibility mentor, author and communications specialist Bec Sands about putting your work in front of the world without becoming someone you’re not. Bec Sands explains why capable people wait for permission to feel ready, how to work through judgment and rejection, and why visibility is less about chasing attention than building trust. She shares the practical system that helped her overcome a three-year resistance to live video, including scheduling visibility work, showing up consistently and choosing platforms where your ideal clients already spend time The conversation also covers healthy personal branding, sharing “from the scar, not the wound,” using AI without losing your personality, and what to do when your first attempts meet nothing but crickets . Bec reflects on building a business through illness, caregiving, IVF and uncertainty, and why there’s no such thing as leaving it too late. Key topics 1. Moving beyond “not ready” Bec Sands says many people wait for a “permission slip” before sharing their work, even after gaining the necessary knowledge and experience 01:57. “I’m not ready” can become a visibility block, especially when client work feels more urgent than building a personal brand 03:41. Visibility can trigger fears of judgment, rejection, failure, and getting things wrong 04:29. Confidence doesn’t need to come first. Bec Sands recommends building evidence that you can handle difficult things by taking practical action 05:45. 2. Making visibility consistent and manageable Bec Sands resisted live video for three years, then improved by going live on Instagram every Friday 07:01. The most practical starting point is scheduling visibility work in the calendar, because it’s important but rarely urgent 10:28. Consistency builds trust. A weekly post, monthly article, or regular podcast appearance is more useful than showing up intensely for one week and disappearing 11:28. Batch content where possible, and focus on the activities most likely to move the business forward instead of trying to use every platform 12:41. 3. Building trust without oversharing Trust comes from doing what you say you’ll do, following up, delivering quality work, and communicating your values through your ideas 16:56. Bec Sands advises sharing “from the scar, not the wound.” Personal experiences should be processed first and shared because they offer value, not simply validation 14:20. Healthy visibility includes personality and uniqueness, but it doesn’t require sharing your deepest personal details 14:20. Cec Busby and Bec Sands discuss how genuine personality helps cut through generic AI-generated content 25:03. 4. Finding your voice and starting before certainty Start where ideal clients already spend time, then choose a format that feels slightly uncomfortable but still achievable, such as audio before video 18:26. Bec Sands says authority develops through action, testing, iteration, and noticing what resonates with both the audience and the business owner 19:27. A quiet response doesn’t necessarily mean the work has failed. Bec Sands recommends reviewing engagement, refining the message, and continuing without taking it personally 21:32. The immediate next step is to schedule recurring time for the idea you’ve been postponing and prioritise the work you “came here to create” 38:29. Time-stanped overview 00:00 Waiting for Permission to Start 04:29 Fears and facing judgment 08:07 Building confidence for visibility 10:28 Prioritizing and scheduling personal brand tasks 15:21 Sharing personal challenges in business 20:21 Finding your passion and starting point 23:26 Engaging with social media posts 25:37 Using AI as a tool 28:44 Sharing positive content online 32:34 Prioritising personal well-being 34:55 Finding joy in business tasks 38:29 Prioritising your creative goals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 11, 202647 min

The mentalists guide to avoiding manipulation and bad decisions

How easy are you to fool? Andy Nunn, an Australian mentalist and TEDx speaker, has spent more than 25 years studying attention, persuasion, and human behaviour. In this episode, Andy explains why intelligence doesn’t always protect us from bad decisions, how confirmation bias helps us defend our assumptions, and why a nine-year-old can sometimes see through a trick more clearly than an engineer Andy Nunn shares his Catch, Challenge, Change framework for solo business owners, reflects on the emotional pressure of working alone, and explores how AI, deepfakes, scams, and “ultra-processed information” are making discernment more important than ever He also offers a clear warning for anyone using AI in their business: let it help spark ideas, but don’t hand over your creativity. Key points 1. Why intelligence doesn’t protect against manipulation Andy Nunn argues that everyone is influenceable, including people who believe they’re highly sceptical, because algorithms can trigger emotions and shape purchasing decisions 06:04. Intelligent people can build sophisticated explanations for why their beliefs are correct, making it harder to change their minds 11:00. Adults often stop investigating once they’ve found a plausible explanation, while children keep asking, “why?” and consider more possibilities 09:47. Discernment depends on staying open to being wrong, not simply on processing information quickly 10:16. 2. A practical method for challenging business assumptions Andy Nunn uses the “Catch, Challenge, Change” framework to examine decisions and reduce bias 13:38. Catch the story you’re telling yourself and identify the assumptions behind it, such as believing a quiet sales period means your website is failing 14:49. Challenge the assumption by asking what else could be true, including changes in the market or wider economic conditions 15:10. Change the level of certainty rather than forcing yourself to reverse your opinion completely. Andy Nunn describes moving from 99% certainty to 70% 15:38. 3. The emotional reality of working alone Leaving employment in 2019 meant Andy Nunn became responsible for every part of the business, with emotional regulation proving especially difficult 12:02. Quiet periods triggered repeated changes to his website, sales copy, emails and advertising, even when the real cause might simply have been a temporary market slowdown 12:59. Therapy became a major support, with Andy Nunn working with a psychologist for nearly two years while building the business 23:40. Reaching out to other performers helped him build a network and realise he didn’t have to do everything alone 24:20. 4. AI, scams and the need for deliberate discernment Andy Nunn says scams are becoming more convincing, including potential voice or video calls that imitate someone you trust 35:38. He recommends verification systems such as a private code word for confirming that a caller is genuine 36:26. AI-generated reports can contain convincing hallucinations and fabricated sources, while people may accept them because of “automation bias” 42:24. AI can support ideas and administration, but Andy Nunn warns against outsourcing creativity and personal communication, especially early client emails 45:23. Time-stamped overview 00:00 Understanding Decision Making Mistakes 04:44 Creating a magic trick method 08:15 Understanding hypnosis and NLP basics 12:02 Challenges of Entrepreneurship 15:38 Adopting flexible cognitive humility 18:32 Struggles of turning art into business 20:07 Early challenges and determination 25:14 Choosing corporate over private events 27:48 Building a Speaking Career 30:51 Using magic in keynote speeches 35:38 Discussing AI and scam risks 38:32 Managing Information Consumption 42:24 AI errors in government reports 46:00 Balancing creativity with AI tools 46:49 Wrapping up and listener requests Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 3, 202637 min

Why checking in shouldn't wait for R U OK Day

Julie-Anne Whitfield is the Workplace Program Manager at R U OK? She sits down for a chat about building genuine wellbeing and connection into small businesses all year round, not just on R U OK? Day. Julie-Anne explains why supportive workplace cultures matter, especially when business owners are carrying financial pressure, isolation, and responsibility for everyone else. We cover the four-step ALEC framework, recognising early signs of burnout, checking in through texts or phone calls, and supporting someone without trying to fix them. Julie-Anne also shares practical ways for sole traders to create connection. Her central message is simple: “If you’re thinking it, ask it.” Timestamped overview 00:00 Discussing mental health for business owners 04:30 Supporting Chefs with R U OK? 08:19 Addressing workplace mental health challenges 10:49 Discussing "Are You Okay?" question 13:13 Creating a supportive work environment 19:19 Encouraging workplace mental health check-ins 21:09 Small business support and connections 24:42 Recognising signs of burnout 28:16 Creating a supportive workplace culture 31:15 Creating supportive workplace environments 36:13 Sharing resources and episode wrap-up Key Topics Wellbeing Beyond One Day - Julie-Anne Rickford says R U OK? Day should be a springboard for conversations and action throughout the year, not a once-a-year event at - Small businesses face particular pressure from limited time, financial stress, and the absence of formal support structures . - Meaningful wellbeing means creating workplaces where people aren’t left alone with difficult challenges . - Regular check-ins can be as simple as adding “are you okay?” to a weekly meeting agenda or inviting someone for a walk and coffee. How to Ask and Listen - If your gut tells you someone is struggling, ask. Nine out of ten people who are asked “are you okay?” feel a sense of support, even if they aren’t ready to share everything - The ALEC framework means ask, listen, encourage action, and check back in . - The person asking isn’t there to fix someone. The goal is to support them with their next step. - Listening requires resisting fix-it mode and allowing the other person to talk without making the conversation about you . Supporting Solopreneurs - One in two Australians report feeling lonely, with one in six experiencing loneliness severely enough to affect daily life. - Julie-Anne Rickford encourages sole traders to join networks, associations, coworking spaces, and other small-business communities - Connection often needs to be planned, whether that means working from a café, joining a class, or regularly visiting the same local coffee shop - Beyond Blue’s small-business resources can help owners create more structure and connection in their working lives. Recognising Burnout and Building Culture - Pulling away from activities that bring joy, such as exercise, walks, or social outings, can signal that something is wrong. - Julie-Anne Rickford recommends putting restorative activities in the calendar and treating them as priorities, not selfish extras, - Cupcakes and yellow decorations may start a conversation, but support has to continue beyond the event to avoid performative wellbeing - A supportive culture depends on practical, visible, consistent action, not good intentions alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 27, 202645 min

Reinventing Success: Lisa Messenger on Collective Hub, AI, and Balancing Motherhood

On this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby sits down with trailblazing entrepreneur Lisa Messenger, founder of The Collective Hub. Known for her fearless approach to reinvention and disrupting the status quo, Lisa Messenger has built an extraordinary career, from launching a globally celebrated print magazine at the height of “print is dead,” to growing her business from three staff to 36, traversing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and making a purposeful pivot to a lean, AI-powered education and community platform for founders. Lisa reflects on business failures, the courage to start and close ventures, lessons learned from scaling too quickly, the power of knowing your purpose, and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing world. She shares insights into teaching herself AI, creating digital communities, the joy and challenge of motherhood after a long IVF journey, and her new adventure as a fiction writer. Listeners will get the inside story of how Collective Hub is relaunching for the digital age and practical tips for solopreneurs looking to thrive with fewer resources and greater impact. Key topics 1. Reinvention and Business Evolution Lisa Messenger discussed shifting from running a large team (36 staff, hundreds of freelancers) to now having zero staff, emphasizing that "bigger isn't necessarily better" 02:26. She explored how staying attached to her purpose of "igniting human potential" allowed her to change delivery mechanisms—from print magazine to digital products and an AI-powered platform 05:10. Reinvention involved learning new skills such as AI and collaborating with past team members to relaunch the Collective Hub community and membership 13:10. 2. Lessons from Success and Business Failure Lisa Messenger highlighted the courage it took not only to launch the print magazine but also to close it down publicly, stressing the importance of not letting ego or identity keep you stuck in a failing business 07:06. The rapid growth led to challenges she was unprepared for, like managing 17 different revenue streams and teams in 37 countries, which ultimately was unsustainable 08:20. She emphasised the need for business acumen and possibly bringing in the right COO or 2IC earlier to balance visionary leadership with operational competency 09:09. 3. Embracing and Teaching AI for Solopreneurs Lisa Messenger became a certified prompt engineer and now uses over 50 AI tools, with ChatGPT as her central “motherboard” for orchestrating tasks and business automation 16:02. She runs AI retreats, guiding participants from various backgrounds (including corporate heads) through practical applications, showing skeptics how AI can streamline and empower their businesses 18:17. Practical takeaway: she encourages solopreneurs to simply start with ChatGPT, building familiarity through step-by-step personal “training” of the AI to work as their digital twin and assistant 22:17. 4. Personal Growth, Motherhood, and Work-Life Balance Lisa Messenger reflected on how becoming a mother, after a long IVF journey and surrogacy, fundamentally shifted her priorities and business direction 28:47. She described consciously downsizing her business model for more freedom, focusing on purpose and high-impact tasks rather than scale and staff 26:17. Motherhood changed her outlook: she now blocks out specific time for projects, controls her schedule, and puts family at the forefront, contrasting her earlier years of relentless work 27:49. Time-stamped overview 00:00 Starting a magazine despite skeptics 06:50 Starting and shutting a print magazine 10:22 Building Opportunities and Relaunching with Jade 11:41 Attempting new print format 14:38 Adapting to New Business Challenges 19:52 Building your virtual team 22:17 Getting started with ChatGPT 27:16 Balancing writing projects and freedom 30:32 Balancing career and IVF journey 33:08 Transitioning to traditional publishing 36:01 Finding inspiration from Save the Cat 39:53 Creating digestible content for entrepreneurs 42:04 Creating a community leaderboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices