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Every year, I put together a massive gift guide for small business owners — but this year, I wanted to do things differently. Instead of rattling off every gadget and tool I’ve ever tried, I’m sharing the handful of products that actually made my life easier in 2025.From sleep earbuds that help me get more rest (even with kids and a dog) to the smart home lights that let me skip climbing into bushes every December, these are the gifts that save time, reduce friction, and make running a solo business just a little more fun.If you’re shopping for yourself or a small business owner in your life, you’ll find something here that genuinely improves work and home life — without adding clutter or complexity.Want to check out a written version of the gift guide? Head here: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/Show NotesGift Guide for Small Business OwnersA Fantastic EpisodeKindle ColorsoftTRMNLSoundcore Sleep A20 EarbudsI Bought, and Returned, the Ozlo SleepbudsFull Review – Soundcore Sleep A20 EarbudsDJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)Zoom PodTrak P4 Podcast RecorderBose SoundLink Max Bluetooth SpeakerPhilips Hue Indoor/Outdoor Holiday 130-Foot Festavia String LightsAqara Zigbee Motion Sensor P1Eve Aqua Smart Water ControllerGitryin 10-in-1 Desktop Charging StationAnker Nano Charging StationAnker 9-in-1 Charging StationHoverBar DuoSee HoverBar Duo SetupUGREEN NASync DXP4800 4-Bay Desktop NASPost-it Super Sticky Easel PadProfessional Grade Gaffer TapeKeeping Equipment in PlaceAnalog Card Bar by UgmonkCalDigit E5 – Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 HubTwelve South HiRise 3 DeluxeMotorola razrSanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSDBellroy Tech Kit (Tech Accessories Organizer Pouch)Tella.tvObsidianGling.aiGoodLinksMasterClassSenja

Well, we're in the holiday gauntlet now. I've gotten several emails from small, service-based business promoting Black Friday sales, and I'm not sure that's a very good approach. I share my experience with successful, and less successful BF/CM deals I've run. I also talk about my approach to affiliates,  and what I'm thinking about for that strategy in 2026. Check out the 3 tools I'm actually promoting for Cyber Week: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ Here's my 2025 Gift Guide: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/

My oldest daughter loves asking me to tell her a funny story about my wife from when we were dating... and I almost always freeze. It's not because there aren't any funny stories. It's because there are too many to pick from.This is exactly what happens when you open Zapier without a plan. You're faced with a "blank canvas" and endless possibilities, so you freeze and do nothing.You've heard about "triggers" and "actions," but you're not sure what your triggers or actions should be. Zapier isn’t a sandbox for people starting out. The secret is to look at the work you're already doing.I'll walk you through my simple, three-step process to get started. It starts with documenting your tasks, listing your apps, and then using one specific (and often overlooked) page on Zapier's website that will show you exactly what's possible for you.Stop staring at the screen, wondering where to begin. Let's get your first automation built.Want to see some real-world examples tailored to your biggest struggles? Take my free quiz at https://streamlined.fm/quiz and I'll email you four automation ideas you can use today.Show NotesTake the Automation Quiz: streamlined.fm/quizExplore the Zapier Apps Page: zapier.com/appsWatch the Zapier Apps Page Walkthrough VideoLeave feedback: streamlinedfeedback.com

Our inboxes are about to be inundated with sales emails and affiliate-link riddled round-ups. Should I contribute to the noise? I'm thinking yes...but I want it to feel different. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com 

Remember diagramming sentences back in school? I always thought it was pointless, but the real goal wasn't the diagram itself—it was understanding the structure of a good sentence.The same exact logic applies to building automations. It's tempting to just jump into a tool like Zapier or Make and start connecting things, but that's like throwing a bunch of random words on a page and hoping it makes sense. If you want to build automations that actually save you time (and don't break), you need to understand the structure first.I'm breaking down the four essential components every automation has—the two that are required, and the two "optional" ones that make your workflows truly powerful and intelligent. We'll walk through the difference between a Trigger and an Action, how to use Conditions to make your automations smarter (like "only do this if X is true"), and when to use specific Timing to batch your work.Are you unsure what you should even automate first? I built a brand new quiz to help you pinpoint your biggest bottleneck. Answer four simple questions, and I'll send you personalized automation recommendations to solve your most crucial problem.Take the quiz now at: streamlined.fm/quizShow Notes**Watch the Video for visuals**Submit Feedback: streamlinedfeedback.com

Ever wonder if your newsletter should be the product…or just promote the product?I’ve been treating mine more like a magazine than a sales tool — and it’s cost me. So I sat down with Dylan Bridger, who helps course creators and coaches turn their newsletters into profit machines.We talk about:The difference between a “magazine” newsletter and a “sales team” newsletterHow to actually warm up your audience so they buy when you make an offerBut we also get into the impact becoming a new dad had on Dylan’s workflows, and a short-lived side project that taught him big lessons fast.This conversation helped me clear up a ton of issues with my own newsletter, and I think it’ll do the same for you.Seeking clarity in your business systems? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Dylan Bridger is an email marketing expert who helps coaches and course creators increase their conversions while building stronger relationships with their lists. A full-time marketing consultant since 2021, more than 7,000 entrepreneurs follow his insights across newsletter and social media. When he's not working, you can find Dylan writing songs, goofing around with his daughter, or enjoying a nice cup of coffee.LinksDylan BridgerDylan on LinkedInDylan on Twitter/XDead-Eyed Portraits: The Real Risk of AI HeadshotsNathan BarryKit (formerly ConvertKit)Ken McCarthy – Jazz on the TubeBeehiivWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

When I was a kid, I said things like, “I won’t forget,” or “When I’m a dad, I won’t get mad.” Or…”I’m bored.”But as you get older, and life puts you in various, unforeseen situations, it’s easy to get blindsided and react in a way you hoped you wouldn’t.I think about this a lot when I consider what’s changed between turn 20 and turn 40. And there’s a common theme that has cropped up: pruning.Letting go of what doesn’t work. Of where you used to spend your energy. About making more space in your life for the things that matter.And I thought that there was no better person to bring on to talk about this than my friend, fellow freelancer, and fellow father, Austin L. Church. He’s a deep thinker, committed family man, and wants to help people.Looking to prune what’s stealing your energy? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Top TakeawaysFluff vs. value in business books — many books stretch one idea into 300 pages, but the best insights are usually old, durable ideas worth revisiting.Growth by subtraction — focus and pruning beat doing “all the things.” Fractured attention leads to mediocre results.Attention as water — what you focus on grows. Stop “watering” indignation and instead nurture gratitude, creativity, and presence.Values over virality — not all success is worth emulating. If someone’s optimizing for attention or wealth at all costs, that doesn’t mean you should.Parenting parallels — kids remember how you respond more than what you say. Choosing patience, presence, and love shapes both them and you.“These are the good old days” — a simple mindset shift that makes it easier to stay present with family and avoid regrets later.LinksAustin’s post on pruningAustin L. Church — Freelance CakeAustin’s Book: Free MoneyBuy Back Your Time — Dan MartellGood Strategy Bad Strategy — Richard RumeltEssentialism — Greg McKeownDieter Rams — Principles Of Good DesignWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

Episode 500 of the show came out on Monday. Here’s I I put it together using Google NotebookLM

Nine years. 500 episodes. And one big question I've asked since the beginning. Do you have any trade secrets for us?When I started this show (back when it was How I Built It), I was a newly married web developer with a side hustle and a curiosity for how others built their businesses. Ten years and three kids later, I’ve realized the mission has always been the same — helping solopreneurs build a business that supports their life, not consumes it.In this special milestone episode, I’m sharing the story behind the show’s evolution, the real “trade secret” I’ve learned from hundreds of conversations, and how the GAPS Framework — Gear, Automation, Playbooks, and Support — is guiding my next experiment.Want my systems delivered directly to your inbox for free? Join my mailing list at https://casabona.org/streamlined Show Notes Ecamm LiveStream DeckTellaGling.aiRiversideEverything on my DeskZapierCastmagicYouTubeLinkedInGrowth in Reverse Pro 💬 Send me your thoughts: streamlinedfeedback.com

Am I overthinking how to approach episode 500? Plus, I got an android phone. Send feedback to https://streamlined feedback.com

We turned productivity into a fantasy draft! 🏆Four small business owners battle it out, picking the apps and tools we cannot live without — with some surprise steals, hot takes, and even a bonus round for our favorite analog gear.Looking for new ways to save time, systemize your business, and actually enjoy the tools you use? This draft is packed with ideas you’ll want to steal.Draft Order: Mike SchmitzLayla PomperCat MulvihillJoe CasabonaWondering how you can manage your time to find the perfect balance? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Show NotesMike Schmitz | Episode 422Layla Pomper | Episode 495Cat Mulvihill | Episode 305ObsidianCircleKit (ConvertKit)ClickUpRaycastCanvaMissiveZapierSmartSuiteKajabiNotionSunsamaZoomApple Text ReplacementSavvyCalStream DeckSaneBoxEcamm LiveTodoistGoogle DrivePersonal Retreat Planner (Mike’s custom tool)RocketbookField NotesOpus ClipTellaGatherVimeoWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

I just wrapped up a Social Growth for my friend Chenell’s community where I posted on LinkedIn for 40 days. Here’s what I learned and what’s next. Send your feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

Can you really delegate out when you are your business? Don’t people hire you to work with…well, you? That’s the question Justin Moore and I wrestle with. We talk about the challenge of running personality-driven businesses, why it’s so hard to step away, and how to build a company that serves your life instead of consuming it.Justin shares how he’s built a coaching business with a team he trusts, why impact is his North Star, and the mindset shift that helped him let go of control. We also get real about balancing work with family time, the guilt that comes with stepping away, and why building a lifestyle business is just as valid as chasing a big exit.Things get real – it’s something all business owners need to think about. Wondering how you can step away from your business? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Top TakeawaysUse a North Star mission (like impact) to guide decisions about hiring, delegating, and growth.Letting go of control is a mindset shift—delegating doesn’t dilute your business, it expands your reach.A lifestyle business is not a failure; you don’t have to build for an exit if you love the work.Balancing work and family isn’t about hacks—it’s about daily choices to be present in the moment.Show NotesSponsor Magnet Podcast (hosted by Justin and me)Sponsor Magnet (Book)Creator WizardKey Person of Influence (Book by Daniel Priestley)Write Useful Books (by Rob Fitzpatrick)One to Many: The Secret to Webinar Success (by Jason Fladlien)CEX (Creator Economy Expo)Lulu (Publishing)What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

It seems like every day there’s a new tool designed to help us be more productive. They promise to help us to more, faster, better, with fewer resources. And it’s easy to get shiny object syndrome. So how do you know when it’s time to switch, or when it’s a waste of time and energy?Luckily, as a chronic tool switcher, I’ve thought a lot about this very problem. And I have a framework to help you decide.We’ll go through the 4 questions you should ask yourself when evaluating whether or not to switch. Then we’ll apply these tests to case studies so you can see how they work with actual examples.Wondering if you should switch? Go to https://shouldyouswitch.com to apply this framework!What do you think? How do you decide when to switch tools? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

I’m considering a membership again, but this one is different! I’m going to do a paid newsletter, powered by Memberful and Kit. 

Running a business while raising kids feels impossible some days. Between checking emails at the playground and working after bedtime, it's easy to feel like you're failing at both. But what if there was a better way?Amanda Goetz has cracked the code on building an authentic business without the hustle culture nonsense. As a single mom of three who's built multiple six-figure income streams, she's learned that success isn't about doing more—it's about doing the right things at the right time.In this conversation, talk about her surprisingly simple systems that keep her business running while she stays present for her kids. Amanda shares the real strategies that work when you can't afford to waste time.But we also cover how to be authentic in an AI world, and she gives me the single best piece of advice I’ve personally gotten for how to balance both better.Are you worried about burning out? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Show NotesAmanda GoetzOrder Toxic GritAmanda’s Two-Do SystemFollow Amanda on LinkedInFollow Amanda on InstagramWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

It’s new iPhone Day! It was a big year for me as it was time to upgrade several of my devices. Here’s what I got, and why. 

Ever go to do something – a task for your business, yard work, cooking – and suddenly realize you’re not sure where to start? It’s not that you don’t know what to do…you just need a little help organizing your thoughts. It would be a lot easier if everything is written down, step-by-step. That’s where SOPs come in. Most solopreneurs think SOPs are only for big companies with teams of 50+. But the truth? Even if you’re a business of one, SOPs (standard operating procedures) can save you time, reduce errors, and keep your business running smoothly—especially on the days when your energy or focus isn’t there.In this conversation with Layla Pomper of ProcessDriven, we dig into how SOPs can simplify your work, help you automate and delegate, and even free up more headspace for the creative stuff you actually enjoy.Trying to figure out which SOPs you should create first? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Top TakeawaysSOPs are like recipes—great for capturing details you’ll forget in the moment and for keeping quality consistent.Writing down the process first makes automation or delegation way easier—and prevents wasted time tinkering.SOPs aren’t about bureaucracy; they’re about removing decision fatigue and protecting your creative energy.Show NotesLayla PomperClickUpAsanaMondayNotionTodoistZapierMakeMissiveGatherGoogle CalendarRiversideRSS.comTellaEcamm LiveWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

Ever stumble into entrepreneurship by accident? Dylan Redekop did — and he’s built a business that lets him spend time with his family, stay fit, and still grow his newsletter. We get into freelancing vs. solopreneurship vs. contracting, why balance matters more than hustle, and the little systems that keep ideas from slipping through the cracks (while still allowing us to be present parents). Looking for a way to find balance to run your business and get the restorative time you need? Take the Business Overwhelm Quiz.Top TakeawaysFreelancer vs. Solopreneur: Freelancers sell their skills to other businesses, while solopreneurs often build a one-person business with products or services. Both models can work, but knowing how you identify helps clarify your work.Balancing Contract Work and Side Projects: Choosing projects that complement each other creates a symbiotic relationship instead of competing for time.Making Space for Hobbies and Health: Fitness, hobbies, and restorative time aren’t luxuries—they’re essential to being a better parent, partner, and business owner.Show NotesGrowth Currency (Dylan’s Newsletter)Dylan Redekop on LinkedInGrowth in Reverse To Grow Your Newsletter, You Need to Have Unique Content with Chenell BasilioRethinking Our Relationship with Time and Money with Khe HyWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com

Ever feel like your business eats up every free moment? The truth is, you don’t need Taylor Swift-level fame or Hormozi-style hype to succeed. What you actually need is space—room to create, promote, and step away without guilt.That’s why I use the GAPS framework: Gear, Automations, Playbooks, and Support. It’s the system that helped me reclaim 10–12 hours a week, even during one of the busiest summers of my life. In this episode, I break down how you can use GAPS to stop fighting with your tools, cut the manual busywork, and finally get your time back.Top TakeawaysFame hacks don’t apply—your focus should be on knowing your audience, creating for them, promoting, and experimenting.The biggest bottleneck isn’t knowing what to do—it’s finding the time to do it.Gear: Invest in reliable tools so tech doesn’t slow you down.Automations: Use tools like Zapier, Riverside, and Notion to handle repetitive tasks.Playbooks: Create simple SOPs so you or anyone else can follow the same steps every time.Support: Delegate to a VA, editor, or even students—don’t try to do it all yourself.Show NotesWatch on YouTubeOverwhelm QuizRiversideRSS.comTella.tvEcamm LiveZapierNotionSamson Q2U Microphone