In this episode of The Freelance Teabreak, host Emma Cossey is joined by Maggie Patterson to discuss the challenges and benefits of running a solo business. Maggie, the founder of BS Free Business and author of ‘Staying Solo’, shares her extensive experience from over 20 years in freelancing. The conversation delves into the pressures freelancers face to scale their business, the importance of building a sustainable and profitable solo business, and practical tips on increasing income and avoiding burnout. If you are a freelancer feeling overwhelmed by industry expectations or seeking ways to thrive as a one-person business, this episode is a must-listen!
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Is scaling really the only route to a successful freelance business? Or is there another way to grow your income and impact – without managing a team, launching a course, or hustling harder? In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break podcast, host Emma Cossey is joined by Maggie Patterson – founder of BS Free Business and author of Staying Solo – to tackle the pressure to scale, the stigma of “small” businesses, and why staying solo isn’t just valid, but often the smartest and most sustainable path.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing freelancing “right” because you don’t have a team, six-figure revenue, or a course to sell, this episode is your much-needed reality check and encouragement boost.
The Reality of Solo Businesses
Maggie Patterson shares her journey from quitting her job over 20 years ago to building a sustainable, profitable, one-person business. Her message is clear: most business advice is designed for start ups or brick-and-mortar operations with teams. But the reality? Roughly 80% of businesses are solo ventures. So why are so many freelancers being told they need to scale?
The pressure, especially on women and marginalised groups, often stems from societal expectations and online business trends. Phrases like “How’s your little business?” or the need to hit arbitrary revenue milestones (like 6 or 7 figures) can push freelancers into decisions that don’t serve their lifestyle, health, or personal goals.
Growth Doesn’t Have to Mean Scaling Up
Maggie dismantles the false binary that to grow your freelance income, you either need to hire a team or launch a course. There are other ways to increase profitability:
- Raise your rates
- Refine your service packages
- Target a more aligned audience
- Start charging for strategy, not just implementation
Many freelancers give away their strategic brainpower for free, burying it within tactical pricing. Unpacking this and pricing it properly can significantly boost your income without adding extra hours or stress.
Avoiding Burnout While Staying Solo
Working solo doesn’t mean doing everything yourself. Maggie urges freelancers to look at what support they actually need – whether it’s a VA, a business coach, meal delivery, or simply better systems.
She also introduces the idea of the “Real Life Test”: does your business model work with your actual life circumstances, energy levels, and responsibilities? If not, it’s time to recalibrate. Success should support your life, not override it.
And yes, Maggie gives full permission to build a boring, peaceful, profitable business that doesn’t chase viral trends or dopamine hits – just steady, content, sustainable work.
Sustainable Over Sexy
Freelancers often start out craving flexibility and freedom. But somewhere along the way, the online business world shifts that focus to vanity metrics and visible growth. Staying Solo is a call to come back to your “why”: to honour your capacity, values, and long-term sustainability over internet optics.
It’s a reminder that services are not stepping stones. They are the backbone of most economies, and can be just as lucrative and satisfying – if not more – than scaled-up business models with bigger overheads and responsibilities.
If this conversation has sparked something in you, take five minutes today to reflect:
- Are you building the business you want, or the one you think you should want?
- What would a sustainable solo business look like for you?
- Where can you add strategy or value without adding more hours?
Want to go deeper? Grab Maggie’s book Staying Solo from BSFreeBusiness.com/book, and join the Freelancers Tea Break community (details below) to continue the chat.
And remember: you don’t need a team, a course, or a six-figure income to be a real business. You just need a business that works for you.
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