How She Went From Hollywood Writer to 7-Figure Solopreneur

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If you’re a solopreneur struggling with burnout, undercharging, or wondering how to build real income without sacrificing your energy, this episode is for you.

Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with seven-figure solopreneur and writer Amy Suto to talk about what actually drives sustainable success as a one-person business owner. Amy shares why energy management matters more than time management, how she transitioned from Hollywood screenwriting to building multiple income streams, and what finally allowed her to charge premium rates with confidence.

You’ll learn how to validate a side hustle before quitting your job, how positioning and portfolio matter more than credentials, why Substack is emerging as a powerful revenue stream for creators, and how to structure your content so clients can find you through Google and AI tools like ChatGPT. This conversation is packed with practical insights on pricing, identity shifts, inbound marketing, SEO, audience-building, and long-term business thinking for solopreneurs who want income and autonomy.

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Connect with Amy Suto

• Visit makewritingyourjob.com
• Order Write for Money & Power

Favorite Quote About Success:

"Good writing is good thinking." - Paul Graham

Episode FAQs

How can solopreneurs avoid burnout when they’re responsible for everything?

Burnout often comes from mismanaging energy, not just time. Amy recommends doing regular energy audits to identify which clients, projects, and tasks energize you versus drain you. Solopreneurs who build their workload around high-energy activities tend to stay consistent longer, make better decisions, and grow more sustainably.

How can a solopreneur use Substack to build both community and income?

Substack is a platform for free and paid newsletters that allows solopreneurs to grow an audience and monetize their ideas without upfront costs. Amy shared that Substack works well because:

• You can start for free and only pay a percentage once you earn

• It supports organic discovery through Substack Notes

• It allows creators to test ideas, build trust, and validate what people will pay for

• It can become a long-term asset, not just another content channel

Her key advice: be clear on who you serve, what pain point you solve, and what content belongs free versus behind the paywall.

Why do so many solopreneurs undercharge, and how can they fix it?

Amy emphasized that undercharging usually stems from an identity issue, not a strategy issue. Solopreneurs often struggle to see their work as valuable because they’ve been conditioned to believe legitimacy only comes from corporations or credentials. Her advice:

• Adopt the identity of a professional before you “feel ready”

• Price for the value you deliver, not just time spent

• Increase rates gradually as experience grows

• Recognize that your energy, expertise, and problem-solving are premium assets

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, click here to check out LifeStarr Intro!  

About Amy Suto

Amy Suto is a creative storyteller, published author, and produced TV writer who helps founders and inspiring individuals tell their stories with clarity and impact. As a specialist in nonfiction and memoir ghostwriting, she partners with clients to craft high-end books in their authentic voice and turn powerful ideas into lasting legacies.

Her work has been featured in outlets including Entrepreneur, Parade Magazine, U.S. News, Vulture, Forbes, Script Magazine, and publications from NYU and USC, among others. Clients praise her for her insight, professionalism, and ability to elevate both ideas and execution.

Amy also supports clients through the self-publishing process, including Amazon KDP, and collaborates with designers to deliver polished, beautifully finished books from concept to launch.