The Solo-Prenuer Path: Building a Successful Single-Person Business 

In today’s society with continually growing opportunities, many people are opting for a change in profession. In lieu of a traditional career working for an employer, many are creating their own businesses, often called a solo-pernuership. Becoming a solo-preneur is a path that requires a great deal of skill, dedication, hard work, and strategic planning. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you navigate the solo-preneur path. 

First, identify exactly what your purpose and goal is before beginning. Understand why you are doing this and what your exact niche is going to be. Going into business while being overly broad with your services or plan can lead to lower production and increased costs. Having a specific niche and perfecting it is generally known as an excellent business strategy, especially in the beginning. Once you have determined what your specialty will be, make a clear mission statement that is available and apparent to all. Consumers should quickly be able to identify what sets your business apart from others in a similar field. 

Second, once you have identified exactly what your business’ purpose is, create a strong business plan. Consider your goals, targeted market, marketing plans, overhead costs, expected revenue streams, and overall financial projections for the business. Once you have a firm business plan, consult with an expert to ensure that you are appropriately handling the business finances and are in compliance with all laws and regulations governing your business. Consulting with an expert in these areas is generally suggested as it can help you to be better protected. 

After consulting with the appropriate experts you should begin creating a strong online presence for your solo-prenuership. This can be done through several avenues such as social media, creating a personalized website for your business, or through search engine recognitions. Through all of these platforms be sure to showcase what your business does and share success stories or portfolios of prior work. This allows potential consumers to know that you have experience and success. Finally, make sure to build your brand through these platforms. Your brand should be specific, personal, and memorable. Clients should be able to look at your brand and associate it with your specific company and know the expertise that comes along with it. 

Once you have developed a strong online presence and brand, you can then continue building your solo-prenuership by offering excellent customer service and continually learning the market and its changes. Continual learning can take place through professional learning opportunities that may be offered. Staying “with the times” or “with the changes” will allow your business to maintain its relevance and further assist in your overall success. 

Finally, remember that building a successful single-person business takes a lot of work and dedication. With this amount of work and dedication, you must be intentional and mindful of self-care. The old adage thoughtfully notes that you can’t pour from an empty cup. This certainly rings true for a solo-preneur. Though you must dedicate a lot to your new venture, you must also prioritize yourself throughout the process. Be sure to take breaks and maintain an appropriate work-life balance to avoid the dreaded burn-out. Above all, be flexible, intentional, and enjoy your business. This is what leads to true success.