#26 Boundaries are your friend

Hey there,

Today we’re talking about the practical, business-building boundaries that determine whether you run your business or it runs you.

We started this conversation because we keep hearing the same questions from our clients:

“Can I tell a client I don’t want to use their email system?”

“Am I allowed to say no to joining five different communication channels?”

“What do I do when they want to skip steps in my process?”

The answer is simpler than you think: You get to decide.

In this episode, we unpack why most solos hand over control of their time, processes, and client structure without realizing it. We share real examples of clients juggling five different inboxes, getting pulled into scope creep, and saying yes to everything because they’re worried about losing deals.

You’ll hear us break down exactly how to set boundaries around communication channels, project scope, and client expectations without coming across as difficult or losing business. We also dig into why confidence in your process is more attractive to clients than being endlessly accommodating.

Plus, we get into the weeds on strategy vs. execution, why “pick your brain” requests are problematic, and how to handle clients who think they know better than you do.

One thing that might surprise you: In our experience, 99% of the time when you set a clear boundary with integrity and honesty, the outcome is positive. Clients respect expertise, and they want someone who knows how to run their business.

Cheers,
Nick and Erica

(00:00) Intro
(01:14) The importance of boundaries in business
(02:13) Setting boundaries with clients
(03:58) Managing client communication channels
(08:20) Negotiation and business development
(12:19) Handling client expectations
(19:03) Maintaining focus and avoiding distractions
(21:31) Encouraging client collaboration
(23:09) The value of relationships in business
(23:41) Navigating free work and boundaries
(24:19) Balancing time and engagement
(26:31) The value of strategy and execution
(29:10) Collaborating with specialists
(30:59) The importance of iteration
(33:30) Communicating value beyond hours
(36:36) Owning your expertise

Ready to standardize your offer and scale your consulting services to $50k+ months? Apply to work with us here: https://duoconsulting.co/