Ep 170: Operational Simplicity for Solo Consultants: Systems That Actually Work for Your Brain with Pamela King
What if the systems you’re using are actually working against your brain?
Building a business around your brain—yes, that’s allowed. In this episode, Sarah Noel Block sits down with Pamela King, a small business optimizer (think: short-term fractional chief of staff), to explore how solo consultants can build custom systems that feel easy, make hiring smoother, and avoid burnout. Whether you're hiring your first VA or tightening up operations to scale sustainably, this episode is your playbook.
Takeaways
Start with what you want to keep: Your zone of genius should be protected and systematized to make it easier, not removed.
Don’t hire in desperation: Rushed hires without onboarding systems often fail. Plan ahead by capturing SOPs as you go.
If it’s 3 steps or more, document it: Whether it’s a checklist, video, or AI tool, getting your processes out of your head is critical.
Map tasks before you outsource: Clarify what needs to be handed off and to whom—design roles based on skill sets needed.
Use free tools to start: Scribe, Loom, and AI note takers are low-cost ways to build a library of training materials.
Build for your brain: 72% of entrepreneurs are neurodivergent or have a mental health condition—custom systems matter more than one-size-fits-all templates.
Employee vs. Contractor: Contractors provide flexibility for early-stage growth, but discuss structure and goals with your accountant.
About Pamela King
Pamela King is a Small Business Optimizer who helps ambitious entrepreneurs replace sticky-note systems and late-night chaos with operations that actually run. Think of her as a temporary fractional Chief of Staff who rolls up her sleeves and works inside the business, not a consultant who drops a plan and disappears. She helps founders reclaim time, streamline teams and tools, and build systems that stick—without killing the creative spark that got them here. The result: fewer fires, clearer decisions, and growth that doesn’t come with burnout.
Resources Mentioned
Here are tools and resources mentioned in this episode:
Scribe: A tool that creates step-by-step SOPs with screenshots. Great for documenting workflows. https://scribehow.com
Loom: Screen recording tool ideal for visual training videos. https://loom.com
AI Note Takers: General reference to tools like Otter.ai, Fireflies, or Fathom for automatic meeting transcriptions and action items.
Pamela King’s Time Audit Tool: Free time-tracking tool + bonus 1:1 session to spot hidden time wasters.
Pamela King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelaking/
What next?
Join the Booked Out in Six—where B2B service businesses learn how to use smart, lean, story-based strategies to scale without burnout. We'll help you turn your marketing into something people actually want to read.
👉 Apply now to Booked Out in Six
Let’s scale smart,
— Sarah
