July 17, 2025 • 7 mins
When solopreneurs flee the corporate world, “standard operating procedures” are often the first thing left behind—right next to awkward team-building exercises and passive-aggressive reply-all emails. But hold up—this is one “corporate” thing you do want to keep.
In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive into the unexpected power of SOPs. From preparing for life’s curveballs to simply freeing up brain space for more important things (like remembering where you hid your coffee), they’ll share how documenting your processes can make your solo business run smoother, and maybe even grow faster. Whether you're team "ditch the docs" or already a checklist champ, this episode will make you rethink what it means to be efficient on your own.
Being a solopreneur is awesome but it’s not easy. It's hard to get noticed. Most business advice is for bigger companies, and you're all alone...until now. LifeStarr Intro gives you free education, community, and tools to build a thriving one-person business. So, if you are lacking direction, having a hard time generating leads, or are having trouble keeping up with everything you have to do, or even just lonely running a company of one, be sure to check out LifeStarr Intro!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Carly Ries (00:00):
Think SOPs are just a corporate buzzkill? Well,
(00:03):
think again. In this episode, webust the myth that standard
operating procedures have noplace in solo businesses. We
share how documenting yourprocesses isn't just about
coverage, it's about clarity,efficiency, and maybe even
finally taking that guilt freevacation. So tune in to learn
how these kinds of things mightjust be your secret weapon for
long term solopreneur sanity andsuccess.
(00:25):
You're listening to the Aspiring Solopreneur, the
podcast for those just takingthe bold step or even just
thinking about taking that stepinto the world of solo
entrepreneurship. My name isCarly Ries, and my cohost Joe
Rando and I are your guides tonavigating this crazy but
awesome journey as a company ofone. We take pride in being part
(00:45):
of LifeStarr, a digital hubdedicated to all aspects of
solopreneurship that hasempowered and educated countless
solopreneurs looking to build abusiness that resonates with
their life's ambitions. We helppeople work to live, not live to
work. And if you're looking fora get rich quick scheme, this is
not the show for you.
So if you're eager to gainvaluable insights industry
(01:07):
experts on running a businessthe right way the first time
around or want to learn from themissteps of solopreneurs who
paved the way before you, thenstick around. We've got your
back because flying solo inbusiness doesn't mean you're
alone.
Alright. So Joe, I was having a conversation, the
other day with with one of thesolopreneurs in our community.
(01:27):
And we were talking aboutstandard operating procedures.
And I think a lot of times whenpeople go out on their own,
they're like, I'm leaving allthese corporate things in
corporate. I'm not bringing theminto my business.
I did not become a solopreneurso I could put these processes
in place and put all thesedocuments together and whatnot.
And I was like, woah, woah,woah, pump the brakes. I get
that. For a lot of things, doget that a lot of it is just
(01:49):
kind of you do it because youhave to do it. But for standard
operating procedures, they areso essential for a solopreneur
because since you're a one manshow, if you need to leave your
business for whatever reason, ifyou wanna take a vacation for
six months or whatever, that'san exaggeration, that'd be
awesome.
Or anything, you need to havethese. You need to be prepared
(02:12):
for, unexpected leave from yourbusiness or a planned leave. I
mean, example, a few years ago,I was so selfish and decided to
have another baby. And I wantedto take that time for myself to
enjoy my newborn. And, when Isay selfish, you were very
(02:32):
supportive. That was nothing atall related to LifeStarr.
That was just a joke. But Ineeded to get things in place so
that you knew what to do, sothat the other contractors on
our team knew what to do in myabsence. And you need to be
thinking through those things asa slopreneur. And when you put
these procedures together, youneed to be as detailed as
(02:57):
possible, like painfullydetailed. Like, what time do you
publish a blog post?
What time do you release apodcast episode? Who does this?
Who does what? Every littledetail. And I have found it to
be really helpful to have adocument, but also have a video
that goes along with thedocument, and to record
everything that you do to postto the document or to link in
(03:18):
there so people will have avisual of what you're talking
about.
Because some people, they likethe text, some people like the
video, and just to cover allbases. But just to have it if
you never need it, fine. Butit's good to have it. Sorry. I
feel like I just startedrambling and didn't even let you
talk yet.
Joe what are your thoughts?
Joe Rando (03:33):
Well, I agree with everything you're saying. I
think that part of this, though,isn't just about going on a
vacation or taking a leave ofabsence. It's also just to
reduce your brain load. So let'ssay you have something that you
do once a month, and it's, youknow, reasonably involved. I
don't know what it is.
It could be something that youhave to do once a month. And you
(03:53):
try to go in and do that everymonth, but you don't have a
procedure written down. Thenyou're putting this cognitive
load to say, okay, can rememberhow I do this. And maybe you
don't do it the same way everymonth, and now you've got
inconsistent results orwhatever. And if you have it
written down, you don't have tothink.
You just go click, you know,
people can do his with GoogleDocs or Google Sheet or
(04:16):
something. And that's how Imean, Yazra and Google Sheets.
Right? And we just go in andsay, okay, this is how I do
this. Step, step, step, step,step.
And then we've got other peoplethat help us, you know,
contractors, George B Thomas'steam that help us with things.
And they have access to thosesheets and know what they're
supposed to be doing. And itreally, really makes it so much
(04:37):
easier than having to thinkthrough this process that we do
say once a month, you know. Say,our events, right? That's one
where we got to do this, this,this, and we get that written
down.
I have a feeling at this pointpeople have those memorized. But
if we made a change, then wewould, be able to put that
change in the document. Peoplewouldn't have to try to remember
it. They'd go and look at it,and it just makes you more
(04:57):
efficient and spares your brainsome of that cognitive load of
trying to remember how I didthis last month.
Carly Ries (05:03):
Well, it's funny because I still do run of shows
for all of our events. I don'teven know if you guys look at
them because it's like, well, wedo it so much. I do look at them
though. And just the practice ofokay, this is what's coming.
It's just a helpful thing tohave in place if you need it. I
think the other thing that wouldbe helpful is if you've put
together these procedures, andthen shared them with another
(05:27):
contractor, another solopreneur,and see if people can identify
any inefficiencies. Because ifyou have everything written
down, everything documented, itcould be easy for people to be
like, well, you don't need to dothat step. Why do you use this
tool to do this step? And itcould really streamline your own
processes by just putting it outthere.
Joe Rando (05:44):
I just created a GPT that I put into our community,
to do just that.
It questions you about whatyou're doing, analyzes it,
suggests where you might wannacreate standard operating
procedures that you don't have,and then suggest ways of
changing them to be moreefficient.
Carly Ries (06:00):
So are we morphing into the same person that I just
teed you up for that withouteven knowing I was teeing you up
for it?
Joe Rando (06:06):
No It was just something that came up through
the community, and I was like, Iwonder if this can work. And I
haven't tested it out yet, so itmight be a failure. But I'm
letting him test it out becausehe asked for it.
Carly Ries (06:17):
There you go. There you go. But moral of the story,
do not let this be one of thecorporate things that you leave
behind. Bring this process withyou. It is so important.
And again, just review it. Maybeevery six months, revisit what
you wrote down. Even if youhaven't looked at it in those
six months, be like, is thisstill current? Do I still follow
this practice? Things change.
So just make sure you keep itcurrent. But Joe, any other
(06:39):
advice from you?
Joe Rando (06:40):
No. But I think we should do an episode on what
kinds of corporate things peopleshould leave behind. I think
office gossip goes first, butthat'd be fun.
Carly Ries (06:52):
I agree. That would actually be a really good
episode, adding it to my notesright now for maybe a month from
now. Alright. But listeners,thank you so much for tuning in.
As always, leave that five starreview, share this episode with
a friend, and subscribe on yourfavorite podcast platform,
including YouTube.
And we will see you next time onThe Aspiring Solopreneur.
(07:13):
You may be going solo in business, but that
doesn't mean you're alone. Infact, millions of people are in
your shoes, running a one personbusiness and figuring it out as
they go. So why not connect withthem and learn from each other's
successes and failures? AtLifeStarr, we're creating a one
person business community whereyou can go to meet and get
advice from other solopreneurs.Be sure to join in on the
(07:34):
conversations atcommunity.lifestarr.com.
Think SOPs are just a corporate buzzkill? Well,
(00:03):
think again. In this episode, webust the myth that standard
operating procedures have noplace in solo businesses. We
share how documenting yourprocesses isn't just about
coverage, it's about clarity,efficiency, and maybe even
finally taking that guilt freevacation. So tune in to learn
how these kinds of things mightjust be your secret weapon for
long term solopreneur sanity andsuccess.
(00:25):
You're listening to the Aspiring Solopreneur, the
podcast for those just takingthe bold step or even just
thinking about taking that stepinto the world of solo
entrepreneurship. My name isCarly Ries, and my cohost Joe
Rando and I are your guides tonavigating this crazy but
awesome journey as a company ofone. We take pride in being part
(00:45):
of LifeStarr, a digital hubdedicated to all aspects of
solopreneurship that hasempowered and educated countless
solopreneurs looking to build abusiness that resonates with
their life's ambitions. We helppeople work to live, not live to
work. And if you're looking fora get rich quick scheme, this is
not the show for you.
So if you're eager to gainvaluable insights industry
(01:07):
experts on running a businessthe right way the first time
around or want to learn from themissteps of solopreneurs who
paved the way before you, thenstick around. We've got your
back because flying solo inbusiness doesn't mean you're
alone.
Alright. So Joe, I was having a conversation, the
other day with with one of thesolopreneurs in our community.
(01:27):
And we were talking aboutstandard operating procedures.
And I think a lot of times whenpeople go out on their own,
they're like, I'm leaving allthese corporate things in
corporate. I'm not bringing theminto my business.
I did not become a solopreneurso I could put these processes
in place and put all thesedocuments together and whatnot.
And I was like, woah, woah,woah, pump the brakes. I get
that. For a lot of things, doget that a lot of it is just
(01:49):
kind of you do it because youhave to do it. But for standard
operating procedures, they areso essential for a solopreneur
because since you're a one manshow, if you need to leave your
business for whatever reason, ifyou wanna take a vacation for
six months or whatever, that'san exaggeration, that'd be
awesome.
Or anything, you need to havethese. You need to be prepared
(02:12):
for, unexpected leave from yourbusiness or a planned leave. I
mean, example, a few years ago,I was so selfish and decided to
have another baby. And I wantedto take that time for myself to
enjoy my newborn. And, when Isay selfish, you were very
(02:32):
supportive. That was nothing atall related to LifeStarr.
That was just a joke. But Ineeded to get things in place so
that you knew what to do, sothat the other contractors on
our team knew what to do in myabsence. And you need to be
thinking through those things asa slopreneur. And when you put
these procedures together, youneed to be as detailed as
(02:57):
possible, like painfullydetailed. Like, what time do you
publish a blog post?
What time do you release apodcast episode? Who does this?
Who does what? Every littledetail. And I have found it to
be really helpful to have adocument, but also have a video
that goes along with thedocument, and to record
everything that you do to postto the document or to link in
(03:18):
there so people will have avisual of what you're talking
about.
Because some people, they likethe text, some people like the
video, and just to cover allbases. But just to have it if
you never need it, fine. Butit's good to have it. Sorry. I
feel like I just startedrambling and didn't even let you
talk yet.
Joe what are your thoughts?
Joe Rando (03:33):
Well, I agree with everything you're saying. I
think that part of this, though,isn't just about going on a
vacation or taking a leave ofabsence. It's also just to
reduce your brain load. So let'ssay you have something that you
do once a month, and it's, youknow, reasonably involved. I
don't know what it is.
It could be something that youhave to do once a month. And you
(03:53):
try to go in and do that everymonth, but you don't have a
procedure written down. Thenyou're putting this cognitive
load to say, okay, can rememberhow I do this. And maybe you
don't do it the same way everymonth, and now you've got
inconsistent results orwhatever. And if you have it
written down, you don't have tothink.
You just go click, you know,
people can do his with GoogleDocs or Google Sheet or
(04:16):
something. And that's how Imean, Yazra and Google Sheets.
Right? And we just go in andsay, okay, this is how I do
this. Step, step, step, step,step.
And then we've got other peoplethat help us, you know,
contractors, George B Thomas'steam that help us with things.
And they have access to thosesheets and know what they're
supposed to be doing. And itreally, really makes it so much
(04:37):
easier than having to thinkthrough this process that we do
say once a month, you know. Say,our events, right? That's one
where we got to do this, this,this, and we get that written
down.
I have a feeling at this pointpeople have those memorized. But
if we made a change, then wewould, be able to put that
change in the document. Peoplewouldn't have to try to remember
it. They'd go and look at it,and it just makes you more
(04:57):
efficient and spares your brainsome of that cognitive load of
trying to remember how I didthis last month.
Carly Ries (05:03):
Well, it's funny because I still do run of shows
for all of our events. I don'teven know if you guys look at
them because it's like, well, wedo it so much. I do look at them
though. And just the practice ofokay, this is what's coming.
It's just a helpful thing tohave in place if you need it. I
think the other thing that wouldbe helpful is if you've put
together these procedures, andthen shared them with another
(05:27):
contractor, another solopreneur,and see if people can identify
any inefficiencies. Because ifyou have everything written
down, everything documented, itcould be easy for people to be
like, well, you don't need to dothat step. Why do you use this
tool to do this step? And itcould really streamline your own
processes by just putting it outthere.
Joe Rando (05:44):
I just created a GPT that I put into our community,
to do just that.
It questions you about whatyou're doing, analyzes it,
suggests where you might wannacreate standard operating
procedures that you don't have,and then suggest ways of
changing them to be moreefficient.
Carly Ries (06:00):
So are we morphing into the same person that I just
teed you up for that withouteven knowing I was teeing you up
for it?
Joe Rando (06:06):
No It was just something that came up through
the community, and I was like, Iwonder if this can work. And I
haven't tested it out yet, so itmight be a failure. But I'm
letting him test it out becausehe asked for it.
Carly Ries (06:17):
There you go. There you go. But moral of the story,
do not let this be one of thecorporate things that you leave
behind. Bring this process withyou. It is so important.
And again, just review it. Maybeevery six months, revisit what
you wrote down. Even if youhaven't looked at it in those
six months, be like, is thisstill current? Do I still follow
this practice? Things change.
So just make sure you keep itcurrent. But Joe, any other
(06:39):
advice from you?
Joe Rando (06:40):
No. But I think we should do an episode on what
kinds of corporate things peopleshould leave behind. I think
office gossip goes first, butthat'd be fun.
Carly Ries (06:52):
I agree. That would actually be a really good
episode, adding it to my notesright now for maybe a month from
now. Alright. But listeners,thank you so much for tuning in.
As always, leave that five starreview, share this episode with
a friend, and subscribe on yourfavorite podcast platform,
including YouTube.
And we will see you next time onThe Aspiring Solopreneur.
(07:13):
You may be going solo in business, but that
doesn't mean you're alone. Infact, millions of people are in
your shoes, running a one personbusiness and figuring it out as
they go. So why not connect withthem and learn from each other's
successes and failures? AtLifeStarr, we're creating a one
person business community whereyou can go to meet and get
advice from other solopreneurs.Be sure to join in on the
(07:34):
conversations atcommunity.lifestarr.com.
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