In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Helen ONeill, Portfolio Career Specialist, Future of Work Coach, published author and founder of Coach Write, where she helps coaches turn their expertise into published books.

Helen shares her fascinating journey from a 25 year corporate career to building a portfolio career centred around coaching, writing and helping others bring their ideas to life through books.

We explore:

• Why many people feel the call to write a book
• How writing can become a powerful journey of personal development
• The identity shift that happens when you become an author
• Why the future of work is increasingly about human skills
• How to recognise when it may be time for a change in your career
• Practical advice for overcoming the dreaded blank page and getting started writing

Helen also shares a simple but powerful exercise to help aspiring writers begin their book without feeling overwhelmed.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation between two coaches who share a passion for helping people build fulfilling careers, follow their curiosity, and take small steps towards the life they really want.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, this episode might be the nudge you need.

You can learn more about Helen and her work at:

https://www.helenoneillcoaching.com

https://coachwrite.co.uk

You can also listen to The Coach Write Podcast here:

https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/podcast

Connect with Helen on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/

Find out more about The Solo Coach at:

https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/

Connect with David on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/

In this week’s episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Austin, founder of Big One Marketing, for a practical and refreshingly honest conversation about what marketing really means in 2026.

We explore why marketing is not about shouting the loudest, but about standing out for the right reasons. Ryan shares his insights on consistency, social media strategy, choosing the right platforms, and why “post and hope” is never a sustainable plan.

We also dive into:

• The difference between marketing and sales, and why both matter
• Why consistency beats intensity on social media
• How to measure marketing success beyond revenue alone
• The most common mistakes small businesses make
• Why saying no to the wrong client is just as important as saying yes to the right one
• What business owners should clarify before outsourcing their marketing

Ryan speaks openly about the challenges of running a marketing agency, the difficulty of selling something people cannot physically see, and how coaching helped him gain clarity, confidence and direction as a founder.

If you are a small business owner, solo entrepreneur or founder wondering how to market your business without burning out or wasting money, this episode will give you grounded, practical insight you can apply straight away.

Connect with Ryan:

https://bigonemarketing.co.uk/

Connect with David:

https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/

In today's episode, I sit down with Lauren Firth, founder of Be Reyt Social for a fun conversation about showing up online, without burning out or overthinking it.Lauren shares her unique journey into creating her own brand, and explains how and why to focus less on chasing numbers, and more on telling an authentic story that attracts the right people. We talk about the importance of experimentation, the value of creativity, and why having fun with your content is often more powerful than trying to follow every rule or keep up with every trend!We also explore the realities of being a solo entrepreneur, from handling rejection to finding a healthier work-life harmony, and how to build an online presence that works for you.If you've ever felt unsure where to start with social media, or worried that you are doing it wrong, this conversation will give you practical reassurance, some useful steps to follow and a new outlook on the process. I'll see you there!Connect with Lauren Firth and Be Reyt Social:Website: https://www.bereytsocial.co.uk/Socials: @bereytsocialConnect with David Garwood, The Solo Coach:Website: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/Socials: @thesolocoach