Do More By Doing Less - Time Freedom for Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Solopreneurs

Robert and Kay Lee Fukui, authors of Tandem: The Married Entrepreneur’s Guide for Greater Work-Life Balance, and hosts of the Thriving in Tandem podcastFree assessment for married entrepreneurs: marriedentrepreneur.co/domoreSummary:In this episode, I sit down with Robert and Kay Lee Fukui to talk about how married entrepreneurs can build successful businesses without losing their marriages in the process. Robert spent 25 years in corporate marketing and sales before realizing he wanted something different. Kay Lee grew up in a family business and knew firsthand how easily work can take over home life. Together, they now coach other couples to balance business success with a healthy relationship. We talk about how their own experiences shaped their mission, why conflict isn’t the problem, and how clear boundaries can protect both marriage and business. They explain how weekly meetings, defined roles, and intentional communication keep stress from spilling over into family time. I also learn why hiring out bookkeeping might just save more marriages than counseling ever could.Key Takeaways:Only about 6.7% of couples are both married and business owners, which creates unique challenges.Conflict can be healthy when handled well. Avoiding it makes things worse.Weekly business meetings help keep work out of personal time.Couples need to agree on roles and never contradict each other in front of employees.Outsourcing stressful tasks can protect both your relationship and your business.Resources Mentioned:Free assessment for married entrepreneurs: marriedentrepreneur.co/domoreBook: Tandem: The Married Entrepreneur’s Guide for Greater Work-Life BalancePodcast: Thriving in TandemConnect with Robert and Kay Lee Fukui:Website: marriedentrepreneur.coInstagram: @thrivingintandem “The business shouldn’t be the mistress in your marriage. Build your business, but don’t sacrifice your family to do it.” – Robert Fukui===========================================================Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

I had a conversation with Peggy Sullivan about the idea of time poverty, which is that feeling of ending the day without having done anything that really mattered. She walked me through her personal wake-up call and the eight years she spent creating a system to help people take back their time without sacrificing success. Her method focuses on being intentional with how we spend our time instead of just staying busy for the sake of it. Some of my biggest takeaways:People wear busyness like a badge of honor, but Peggy makes it clear that constant activity does not mean you're using your time well. Time poverty is when you have plenty to do but no time for what matters.Her three-part process begins with subtraction. That means removing distractions like excessive email, constant notifications, and interruptions that break your flow and waste energy.The second step is something she calls mojo making. She explained how short moments of joy throughout the day help reset your brain, improve focus, and protect your energy.Step three is aligning your schedule with your values. She identified four core values that consistently lead to more satisfaction: energy management, growth, human connection, and authenticity.Most people can get back five to seven hours each week by following this approach. What you do with that time will define the quality of your life.You can connect with Peggy at peggysullivanspeaker.com. She offers a free survey there to help identify your biggest time drains and is active on social media if you want to reach out.Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

Man, I just had a bad week. It sucked. I needed to hear about what was going well in my life.Then I remembered a brief LinkedIn Live I did a couple of years ago, on this exact topic.In fact, it went viral (well, LinkedIn's version of viral:) Coincidentally, it was the same day I launched this podcast.So instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm sharing it here; both for you and me:)Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

In this episode, I chat with Lauren Ruth Martin, LPC-MHSP, to discuss the challenges of overthinking, overdoing, and burnout. Lauren shares her insights on how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overachieving show up in people's lives and how they can address these struggles. From personal experiences to actionable strategies, this episode dives into the importance of setting boundaries, identifying your core values, and embracing self-compassion.Key Points:Overthinking & Overdoing: Lauren discusses the cost of constantly pushing for perfection and how it affects mental health and productivity.The Price of Overachieving: How being an overachiever often leads to burnout, guilt, and shame, even when you're successful.The Importance of Values: Learn how identifying your core values can help you align your life with what truly matters, leading to more ease and fulfillment.Setting Boundaries: Practical advice for setting and maintaining boundaries, both in business and personal life, to preserve your time and energy.The Role of Self-Compassion: Why being kind to yourself is key to preventing burnout and living a balanced life.Practical Takeaways:Recognize when you're overdoing it and explore why you're pushing yourself so hard.Use a values list to help prioritize what matters most to you and let go of things that drain your energy.Start small with boundary-setting. Communicate clearly with others about your availability and stick to it, even when it's uncomfortable.Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own journey and remember that doing less can often lead to more.Embrace that sometimes, the best thing you can do is simplify your life and focus on what truly brings you joy.Resources Mentioned:Lauren Ruth Martin’s 9 to Kind Planner: A tool to help you live with more compassion, balance your personal and professional life, and stay aligned with your values.You can find Lauren on Instagram @LaurenRuthMartin or visit her website at laurenruthmartin.com for more information on her work, the planner, and her speaking engagements.

How do you use AI to enhance your marketing without losing your voice?Show Summary:In this episode, I talk with Kathryn Good of Good Circle Marketing about how she and her team are using AI to serve small businesses and nonprofits in smarter, more authentic ways. We cover everything from how to get started with AI, to building a strategy-first marketing plan, to creating long-form content that can be repurposed across platforms. Katherine shares real examples of how AI saves her time, helps her clients shine, and frees her up to focus on what matters most. If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI or aren’t sure how to use it well, this one’s packed with ideas you can run with.Key Takeaways:AI works best when you pair it with your own voice, strategy, and point of view.Use tools like ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner, not a replacement for your creativity.Building a strong foundation—like knowing your audience and message—makes AI tools 10x more effective.Repurposing long-form content into smaller pieces is key to marketing efficiently.The more you outsource and automate, the more you free up time for strategy, family, and what you love.Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you combine smart systems with your personal touch.About our guest Kathryn Good is a 20-year marketing expert with experience leading marketing tactics and teams for small businesses, nonprofits, and corporations. She is passionate about helping businesses become more aware of and secure in their marketing efforts. She lives in Gallatin with her husband, Seth, and their two children, Caleb and Clara.==================================================================Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Start Now Quit Later Book - https://a.co/d/3xPW1HsExplainer Videos for Your Business - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackagesLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander

What's the secret to getting paid for what you know, not just what you do?Join us as Peter Thomson, often regarded as the Brian Tracy of the UK, dives into the art of valuing your knowledge and transforming it into profitable business ventures. With a career spanning over five decades, Peter shares how he shifted from running Europe’s largest tracing agency to becoming a celebrated author and speaker under the Nightingale-Conant umbrella. This episode isn't just about learning to charge what you're worth—it's about understanding the true value of your knowledge and expertise.Takeaways:Value your time based on the revenue it generates, not just the hours you put in.Your fees should reflect the cascading impacts of your work, far beyond the immediate results.Turn your expertise into tangible products, like books, to solidify your authority in your field.And remember, it's not just about charging for the time you spend; it's about ensuring you are compensated for the comprehensive value you bring to the table.====================================================================About Peter Thomson“People will never consistently do – who they aren’t” It’s true. And it’s what stops you and me and our fellow travellers from reaching the level of success we so richly deserve. There is a solution. Starting business on 2nd February 1972 as a Private Investigator. Then as an entrepreneur, moving through selling the early carphones, then setting up a leasing business which I sold for a few million and retired at 42. Since then, I’ve spent the last 30+ years helping fellow consultants, coaches and business owners to share their hard-won knowledge with a waiting world. As the UK’s most prolific information product creator and author (details here) I love seeing the light go on as my clients (and friends) realise just how valuable they and their ideas can be. And as they build businesses and lives of choice – I smile with them. Oh yes!https://www.thepaidbook.com==================================================================Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Start Now Quit Later Book - https://a.co/d/3xPW1HsExplainer Videos for Your Business -https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackagesLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander

How can we work smarter and avoid getting lost in busy work?Show Summary:We’ve all had those days where we sit at our laptops, work for hours, and yet somehow accomplish nothing. In this episode, I talk with Kristen about how she sets boundaries, prioritizes tasks, and avoids getting sucked into an endless cycle of checking emails and scrolling. She shares how external accountability, batching tasks, and outsourcing have helped her stay focused while running a business and managing a household with four kids. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “busy” but not productive, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:Setting external accountability, whether from a spouse, coach, or group, can help clarify priorities.Batching similar tasks together minimizes distractions and improves efficiency.Saying no to extra commitments—even ones you enjoy—creates space for what truly matters.Checking email or social media for a quick dopamine hit can derail productivity.Eliminating unnecessary tasks makes room for deep, focused work and creativity.Even small changes in how we structure our time can make a huge difference in what we actually get done.About our guest Kristin is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator for QBQ, Inc. With over a decade of experience sharing the message of QBQ! to over 200 organizations, Kristin is passionate about facilitating discussion around the topic of personal accountability. She grew up in the home of QBQ! as the oldest of seven Miller children. Steeped in the QBQ! message of personal accountability, she is uniquely equipped to share it with others. She’s VP of everything at QBQ, Inc. and holds a Masters in Curriculum, Instruction and Corporate Education. Kristin has created a number of tools based on QBQ! including an accountability curriculum for schools titled I Own It as well as co-authoring The QBQ! Workbook, published by Penguin.==================================================================Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/Start Now Quit Later Book - https://a.co/d/3xPW1HsExplainer Videos for Your Business - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackagesLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander