Welcome back to Create Systems with Laura, the space where we talk about building businesses, creative work, and lives that feel intentional, sustainable, and aligned with who we are becoming.

Today, I’m joined by Brian David Hall, author of Your Website Sucks: Here’s How to Fix It, conversion strategist, and a systems thinker in the deepest sense. But beyond website experiments and client funnels, Brian has quietly built a body of nonfiction work and a process for creating that work that’s rooted in clarity, consistency, and experimentation.

In this conversation, we explore:

- How Brian uses systems to move from idea to finished book

- What he learned from writing two abandoned manuscripts before publishing one that resonated

- How beta readers, newsletters, and daily rituals helped him finish what he started

- His experience writing in plain text editors (yes, in the terminal) and why simplicity helps him focus

- What it really means to write for someone who can’t afford your services, and why that shaped his voice

- The emotional side of authorship, including what it feels like to face failure and find your topic again

Brian also shares stories from his time teaching in Spain and South Korea, building online courses, and becoming part of the Useful Books community, a group led by Rob Fitzpatrick, focused on helping nonfiction authors write books that actually solve problems.

If you’ve ever struggled to get from a draft to a final product… or wondered how to keep showing up for your creative work even when no one is watching yet, this conversation will speak to you.

📘 Whether you’re a writer, a service-based entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to create things that last, this episode offers a calm, honest look at how structure, feedback, and curiosity can help you bring meaningful ideas to life.

🔗 Connect with Brian David Hall

- Website & Resources: https://briandavidhall.gumroad.com

- Book: Your Website Sucks: Here’s How to Fix It

- Writing Tools: Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick

🤝 Episode Sponsor: Proprium Agency

We help service-based businesses replace chaos with clarity through smart tools, automation, and intentional system design.

Book a 15-minute discovery call:

👉 https://connect.proprium.agency/discovery-call

Join the Proprium Digital Network for founders and operators who want better systems, smarter workflows, and sustainable growth:

👉 https://proprium.agency/proprium-digital-network

🧠 Stay connected with Laura Plantak

- Website: https://www.lauraplantak.com

- Newsletter: https://lauraplantak.com/newsletter

- LinkedIn: Systems With Laura Podcast

💬 If this episode helped you think differently about creativity, failure, or writing as a long-term system, share it with someone you know who’s building something of their own. And subscribe for more slow, grounded conversations that make space for doing meaningful work.

🎙️ Behind the Book: How Marjorie Turner Hollman Systemized Self-Publishing Success

Welcome back to Systems With Laura 🎙️

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to move from a finished manuscript to a professionally published book, without getting overwhelmed by tech, tools, or the endless self-publishing advice online.

This week, I’m joined by Marjorie Turner Hollman, an author, developmental editor, and book shepherd behind MarjorieTurner LLC. Marjorie supports writers from the very first draft all the way to holding their finished, self-published book in their hands.

Marjorie shares how she built repeatable systems to guide authors through editing, layout, printing, and distribution, and why most people don’t fail at self-publishing because of writing, but because they don’t have a clear process to follow.

This conversation is both grounding and empowering, especially if you’ve written a manuscript but feel stuck, unsure, or intimidated by everything that comes after.

In this episode, we talk about:

- How Marjorie became a book shepherd and built her self-publishing service

- The step-by-step system behind turning a manuscript into a real book

- Why most authors get overwhelmed after finishing their draft

- How to structure your self-publishing workflow without burning out

- The most common mistakes first-time self-publishers make

- What Marjorie would do differently if she were publishing her first book today

🎧 If you’re sitting on a manuscript or dreaming of publishing your own book one day, this episode is for you.

📒 Grab a notebook, hit play, and let Marjorie show you how self-publishing can become a clear, structured system, not a stressful guessing game.

🔗 Connect with Marjorie Turner Hollman

- Website: https://www.marjorieturner.com

- Email: marjorie@marjorieturner.com

- Amazon Author Page: Available via her website

🤝 Episode Sponsor: Proprium Agency

This episode is sponsored by Proprium Agency, a business workflow & automation agency helping service-based businesses replace chaos with clarity through smart tools, automation, and intentional system design.

If your business feels overwhelming, overly manual, or dependent on you doing everything, Proprium helps you design systems that support sustainable growth, without burnout.

☎️ Want direct help from Proprium?

Book a 15-minute discovery call to explore how we can support your operations and client delivery with better systems.

👉 https://connect.proprium.agency/discovery-call

🌐 Join the Proprium Digital Network

A space for founders and operators who want:

- Better systems without unnecessary complexity

- Practical guidance on tools, workflows, and automation

- A clear path from messy operations to structured, scalable processes

👉 https://proprium.agency/proprium-digital-network

🔗 Stay connected with Laura Plantak

- Website: https://www.lauraplantak.com

- Laura’s Learning Lab Newsletter: https://lauraplantak.com/newsletter

- Instagram: @thelauraplantak

- LinkedIn: Systems With Laura Podcast

If this episode inspired you, leave a comment, share it with a writer who needs to hear it, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes conversations on building sustainable, system-supported businesses.

Welcome back to Systems With Laura 🎙️

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to build a business that supports both your visibility and client pipeline, without burning out, going viral, or chasing every new platform.

This week, I’m joined by Anja Lordanić Mustać, a podcasting mentor, translator, and founder of Studio 22. Anja helps solopreneurs and small business owners launch strategic podcasts that position them as experts and bring in high-quality clients, without needing a massive audience.

Anja shares her journey from the world of translation and project management into podcasting and mentorship, and why podcasting isn’t just a creative outlet; it can be a smart, sustainable business system.

This conversation is both practical and encouraging, especially if you’ve been sitting on an idea but letting self-doubt or perfectionism get in the way.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Anja’s shift from translator to podcast mentor and entrepreneur

- Why podcasting still works, and how to stand out without shouting

- The systems behind running a podcast as a solopreneur

- Common fears freelancers face when launching (and how to move past them)

- How podcasting fits into a broader visibility and client strategy

- What Anja would do differently if she were starting over today

🎧 If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast or just want to build visibility that actually leads to clients, this episode is for you.

📒 Grab a notebook, hit play, and let Anja show you how podcasting can become a powerful system in your business, not just a content chore.

Connect with Anja:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-lordanic/

- Listen to Freelance Business Unlocked wherever you get your podcasts

🤝 Episode Sponsor: Proprium Agency (www.proprium.agency)

This episode is sponsored by Proprium Agency, a business workflow & automation agency helping service-based businesses replace chaos with clarity through smart tools, automation, and intentional system design.

If your business feels overwhelming, overly manual, or dependent on you doing everything, Proprium helps you design systems that support sustainable growth, without burnout.

☎️ Want direct help from Proprium?

Book a 15-minute discovery call to explore how we can support your operations and client delivery with better systems.

👉 Book here:

https://connect.proprium.agency/discovery-call

🌐 Join the Proprium Digital Network

A space for founders and operators who want:

- Better systems without unnecessary complexity

- Practical guidance on tools, workflows, and automation

- A clear path from messy operations to structured, scalable processes

👉 Join here:

https://proprium.agency/proprium-digital-network

🔗 Stay connected with Laura Plantak

- Website: www.lauraplantak.com

- Laura’s Learning Lab Newsletter: https://lauraplantak.com/newsletter

- Instagram: @thelauraplantak

- LinkedIn: Systems With Laura Podcast

If this episode inspired you, leave a comment, share it with a solopreneur who needs to hear it, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes conversations on building sustainable, system-supported businesses.

Too many businesses duct-tape tools together, hoping things will “just work.” But real systems aren’t plug-and-play; they’re built with intention.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Shannon Vincent, founder of The Systems Fix, to explore how solopreneurs and small teams can move beyond templates and build systems that actually support the way they work.

Shannon doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all. She believes in clarity, people-first processes, and sustainable systems that evolve with your business, not overwhelm it.

🛠️ Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

• Templates vs. Tailored Systems: Why grabbing a Notion template isn’t a shortcut if it doesn’t match your workflow.
• Choosing Your Tech Stack Wisely: Specializing in fewer tools (SmartSuite, Airtable, ClickUp) = better results.
• Fragmented Tools = Lost Time: Move from scattered spreadsheets to a single source of truth.
• Data Security in the EU Era: Shannon & Laura unpack GDPR compliance when building systems for education and public institutions.
• No System is Ever “Done”: How continuous iteration builds real resilience and reduces friction.
• AI and Automation: Why Shannon sees AI not as a threat, but a collaborative tool for future-ready workflows.

✨ If you’re an entrepreneur, consultant, or team leader looking to simplify without losing quality, this episode is packed with gold.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on how to build intentional systems, work smarter, and scale with confidence.

How do you lead through complexity without burning out? How do you create a strategy that actually works, especially when resources are tight and change is constant?

In this episode, Laura is joined by Theresa Kane, a long-time consultant to mission-driven teams. Together, they explore the human side of strategy - from navigating nonprofit conflict to building adaptive plans that reflect both vision and capacity.

This conversation is packed with insight for leaders, consultants, and changemakers who want to move beyond buzzwords and bring real clarity to messy environments.

💡 Topics we cover:

• Why true planning starts by listening to the people doing the work, not writing big reports.
• Balancing Ambition with Capacity: Applying the 80/20 principle to keep visionary nonprofits grounded and effective.
• Navigating Conflict & Change: What to do when roles are unclear, systems are outdated, and teams are stretched.
• The Consultant as Bridge: Why Theresa sees herself not as an expert, but as a guide who helps ideas become action.
• Agency vs. Consulting: What she learned from running both, and why she moved upstream into strategic consulting.
• Traits of Strong Consultants: Insight facilitators, not fixers - Theresa shares what separates good consultants from great ones.
• Redesigning Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector: Beyond KPIs - What Real Leadership Development Could Look Like.

🎧 Whether you’re building systems, guiding teams, or stepping into leadership, this episode is a masterclass in clarity, adaptability, and values-driven decision-making.

💬 Did something resonate with you in this episode? Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on systems, strategy, and sustainable leadership.

What if your business felt light, clear, and actually enjoyable?

In this episode, we dive deep with Mario Jurčić, solopreneur systems expert and spreadsheet whisperer, to talk about building a business that feels less like burnout and more like freedom.

Forget about overcomplicated SOPs or flashy tools. Mario shares a grounded, practical approach to simplifying your work, pricing your services with confidence, and adopting the mindset of a creative CEO, even if you’re working solo right now.

🧠 You’ll learn:

• Why charging by the hour keeps you small, and how to shift to value-based pricing
• How to design systems that support your life, not the other way around
• The mindset trap of needing to “deserve” success (and how to finally let that go)
• Why Excel works better than fancy tools when it comes to business clarity
• How to protect your energy, set boundaries, and stay focused on what matters

Mario unpacks how systems aren’t just tech - they’re decisions. And once you align your work with your actual goals, your business starts to feel easier, more spacious, and way more fulfilling.

📌 If you’re a solo business owner, coach, consultant, or creative, then this one’s for you.

👀 Like what you hear? Hit subscribe so the next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed, the right mindset + system is already in your feed.

Let’s build businesses that work for us, not the other way around.

This episode is a mashup of the most insightful, relatable, and helpful moments from our first 9 conversations on Systems With Laura.

We’ve covered so much — from how people organize their calendars to how they actually protect their energy while running a business.

We focused on 3 big topics:

🧠 The systems and tools people really use every day

🤖 AI (yes, the real-life, non-hype kind)

💡 Hard-earned advice on entrepreneurship, mindset and finding your flow

You’ll hear how different guests — freelancers, founders, and team leads — are setting up their work, choosing the right tools (and ditching the wrong ones), and figuring out how to build a business that works for them, not the other way around.

This one’s packed with gems. You’ll definitely want to take notes.

💡 Whether you're navigating cultural expectations, fear of visibility, or the first steps of content creation, this episode is full of real talk and practical frameworks that meet you where you are.

🎧 Listen on YouTube + everywhere you get your podcasts.

NekUq6V8LngWhQQU0tNXA brief summary of this episode