The podcast and community for solopreneurs! Join Canadian lawyer/tech founder Josh Schachnow as he interviews successful solopreneurs to hear their best stories, lessons, advice and more. If you want to learn the secrets of successful small businesses or get solopreneur business ideas, then the Solopreneur Grind Podcast is just for you. And make sure to join the substack so you never miss an episode here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/podcast
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
Join Josh on the Solopreneur Grind Podcast as he chats with Jacky, the founder of AnswerHQ, an AI customer service assistant that significantly reduces customer support questions for small businesses and startups.
Jacky shares his journey of creating AnswerHQ as a side hustle while working full-time, his approach to time management, and the tools and strategies he uses to operate efficiently. This episode delves into key aspects of startup life, including market validation, customer acquisition, building in public, and the importance of focusing on solving pain points. Whether you're a technical or non-technical founder, there are invaluable insights to help you start and grow your own business.
More specifically:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:15 Jacky's Background and Answer HQ Overview
00:33 The Journey from Side Hustle to Full-Time
01:23 Challenges and Initial Idea Validation
03:47 Building the MVP and Early Customer Acquisition
08:14 Leveraging AI Tools for Productivity
12:03 Time Management and Personal Strategies
15:13 Biggest Challenges as a Solopreneur
15:34 Shifting Focus: From Product Development to Marketing
15:56 The Challenges of Marketing and Sales for Startups
18:41 The Importance of Understanding Your Business Goals
19:55 Funding Your Startup: Options and Considerations
20:57 Building for Pain Points, Not Ideas
21:54 The Role of MVPs and No-Code Tools
26:12 The Concept and Benefits of Building in Public
30:12 Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Jacky:
https://answerhq.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjackyliang/
https://jjacky.substack.com/
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind podcast, I talk to Joe Rando, the CEO and founder of Lifestarr.
Joe shares his unique career journey from obtaining a degree in physics and developing shopping centers to founding successful companies like Trade Area Systems and now Lifestarr.
We discuss the challenges and strategies for solopreneurs, including lead generation, productivity, and the importance of having clear goals. Joe also provides actionable tips for aspiring solopreneurs and emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating the solopreneur journey.
More specifically:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:30 Joe Rando's Background and Career Journey
01:26 Transition to Solopreneurship and Founding Lifestar
04:28 Challenges and Strategies for Solopreneurs
06:07 The Solopreneur Industry and Future Trends
08:14 Productivity Tips for Solopreneurs
11:07 Lead Generation and Sales Advice
13:56 Steps to Start a Solopreneur Business
19:30 Recommended Tools and Final Advice
23:21 Conclusion and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Joe Rando:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerando/
https://www.lifestarr.com/
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Lucas Root about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:20 Lucas Root's Background and AI Journey
04:31 The Evolution of AI and ChatGPT
09:26 AI Agents and Their Practical Applications
21:59 Using AI to Optimize Workflows
29:25 Top Tools for Non-Coders
33:07 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
And much more.
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Lucas Root:
https://lucasroot.com/
https://www.amazon.ca/Agent-Playbook-Practical-Strategies-Professionals-ebook/dp/B0DPGYMRFS/
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Matthew Stafford about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:24 Matthew Stafford's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey
01:26 First Business and Transition to Online Sales
04:17 Insights on Sales and Marketing
05:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
09:21 Daily Routine and Personal Productivity Tips
17:18 Building a Successful E-commerce Business
22:58 Tools and Resources for Solopreneurs
25:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Matthew Stafford:
https://buildgrowscale.com/book-a-call
Building million dollar e-commerce businesses | SG Podcast Episode 132 with Matthew Stafford
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Gal Ratner about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:13 About Shop Snap: A Unique E-commerce Platform
00:57 The Origin Story of Shop Snap
01:59 Team and E-commerce Industry Insights
03:26 Steps to Start a SaaS Business
10:56 Challenges and Advice for Entrepreneurs
13:51 The Role of AI in Software Development and Marketing
17:52 Conclusion and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Gal Ratner:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/galratner/
https://www.shopsnap.io/
https://www.invertedsoftware.com/
https://www.blogcloud.io/
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Philippe Burns about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:15 Philip's Background and Tech Thursday's Origin
01:04 Scaling Tech Thursday and Neo Financial Experience
05:45 The Importance of In-Person Events
08:33 Starting an In-Person Event Business
12:29 Challenges and Business Model
16:19 Future Plans and Market Expansion
19:41 Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
21:32 Conclusion and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to get even more solopreneur podcasts, content and the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Philippe Burns:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-burns/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-thursday/
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Ryan Cote about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Ryan's Background and Family Business
02:00 Starting the Side Business
04:10 The Evolution of SEO and Digital Marketing
07:26 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
12:26 Balancing Multiple Businesses
18:07 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to follow along on my solopreneur journey and get the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Ryan Cote:
https://ballantinedigital.com/
https://www.functionalmedicineseo.com/
Building and Growing Businesses and Side Hustles | SG Podcast Episode 129 with Ryan Cote
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Kenneth Lo about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:33 Kenneth's Entrepreneurial Journey
01:27 Internal Debate and Decision Making
02:25 Co-Founding Zen Biz Services
03:55 Key Steps to Building an AI Business
06:58 Challenges of Solopreneurship
08:38 Advice for Solopreneurs
11:04 AI in Business Operations
17:01 Favorite AI Tools for Solopreneurs
18:45 Conclusion and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to follow along on my solopreneur journey and get the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on my Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Kenneth Lo:
https://kennethlo.ai/bio/
https://zenbizservices.com/
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Bill Huang about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:16 Bill Wong's Background and Career Journey
01:48 Transition to Solopreneurship
02:41 Building 10xGuitar and Other Ventures
04:16 Partnerships and Business Strategies
08:58 Advice for Aspiring Solopreneurs
12:56 Challenges and Reflections on Entrepreneurship
20:25 Final Thoughts and Networking Tips
And much more.
---
Want to follow along on my solopreneur journey, never miss another podcast episode and get the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on our Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Bill Huang:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-huang-cto/
https://tenxguitar.com/
https://www.growtaft.com/
https://contractsage.com/
https://policy-sage.com/
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Mike Taber about:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:19 Mike Tabor's Background and Career Journey
01:22 The Birth of BlueTick
03:35 Challenges in the Cold Email Industry
05:54 Validation Process and Key Steps for Success
12:32 The Solopreneur Journey
14:36 Final Advice and Contact Information
And much more.
---
Want to follow along on my solopreneur journey, never miss another podcast episode and get the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”?
Make sure you're subscribed on our Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
---
Where to find Mike Taber:
https://x.com/SingleFounder
https://bluetick.io/
https://www.foundercafe.com/
SG Podcast Episode 126: Building a Successful SaaS Business (and more) with Mike Taber
#sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast