That’s what Jayde Powell — current CEO of The Em Dash Co., Co-Founder of Weed for Black Women, and one of LinkedIn’s coolest “creativepreneurs” — told me when we sat down for a conversation about all things solopreneurship.
Talk about keeping it real from the jump.
For the longest time, I thought that the only admirable perk of solopreneurship was the flexibility to run a business how you want to.
But after my candid discussion with Jayde, I’m more enlightened than ever on what it takes to truly and fully embark on that journey, and I’d like to pass along the gospel. You can thank me later.
In this article, I’ll explain what solopreneurship is, why you should start seeing it as a viable but alternative route to entrepreneurship, and how to get started (yes, even if you have a nine-to-five).
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
- What’s a Solopreneur?
- Solopreneur vs. Entrepreneur: What’s the difference?
- How to become a solopreneur (even with a 9 to 5)
- Solopreneurship: Risks and rewards
- Solopreneurship Examples
What’s a solopreneur?
A solopreneur is an individual who runs their business independently, without the support of a co-founder or W-2 employees. In other words, a solopreneur is an entrepreneur who performs all duties related to their business alone.
From taxi drivers to special effect artists and animators, opportunities for self-employed folks seem to be on the up and up. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a range of more unconventional professions — animal training (16%), set design (7%), even art direction (6%) — are beginning to gain traction as some of the highest-projected self-employment occupations for the next decade.
Data from HubSpot’s 2024 Entrepreneurship Survey also revealed that 45% of entrepreneurs started their business because they wanted to escape the monotony of a nine-to-five job. 16% said they started their business because they wanted more income. Take a look at the image below for more Entrepreneurship Survey results:
The numbers don’t lie: Solopreneurship offers sought-after independence, control, and personal fulfillment for those who want to create and operate a business around their day-to-day lifestyle. In my humble opinion, if you’ve been debating whether or not to try your hand at solopreneurship, it’s a path definitely worth exploring.
Still, taking this step requires two-fold awareness: of your strengths and weaknesses as a sole proprietor, and of the market space you’re attempting to join.
The only caveat is … there’s no cheat code here. Everyone’s journey is simply unique, especially according to Jayde Powell, a solopreneur who isn’t new to this realm but, indeed, true to it.
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Solopreneur vs. Entrepreneur: What’s the difference?
You’re likely thinking: Why be a solopreneur when I could be an entrepreneur? What‘s the difference, other than that they both end in ’preneur'?
While all solopreneurs are entrepreneurs, not all entrepreneurs are solopreneurs. Try saying that five times fast.
While in conversation with Jayde, she shared that the only aspect that distinctly separates a solopreneur from an entrepreneur is the amount of hands on deck.
“A solopreneur is someone who runs their business solely on their own, whereas an entrepreneur may hire a team or [contract talent] for support,” Jayde explained.
“I do think that entrepreneurship can embrace flexibility in its role but it doesn’t have to look like you’re hands-on at all times … some people are entrepreneurs and acquire businesses, some invest in them,” she added. “But being a solopreneur can look scary because you’re doing it all on your own.”
Although her insight is a scary reality for many solopreneurs, Jayde affirmed that there are tangible ways to maintain balance. It’s all about how you view the progression of your individual experience.
Check out a few of her practical tips for success (and staying sane) below:
1. Sometimes you’ll need to pivot, which is necessary.
Very quickly into our chat, Jayde and I bonded over the inescapable optics surrounding being a solopreneur. We both agreed that everybody’s been taking their respective approaches to being their own boss, which makes the increase in competition a tad bit harder to ignore.
Consequently, it’s easy for solopreneurs to lose sight of why they started their businesses to begin with. “People can make solopreneurship what it needs to be to suit the needs of their lives,” she told me.
And she’s right. Solopreneurship is meant to be moldable.
There may be an influx of people hopping on the solopreneurship bandwagon but, to keep things short and sweet, you’ll know when it’s time to make strategic choices that align with the future of your business.
2. Solopreneurship isn’t hard, but it is a constant test of willpower, confidence, and patience.
“A ‘no’ isn’t about the work you produce, it’s about the opportunity and if it was meant for you/your business,” Jayde expressed.
If you don’t know this by now, solopreneurship is not for the faint of heart. This means that you should fully expect most things to be challenging while building your business.
Luckily, on the flip side of this coin, the endurance you gain from navigating one difficulty will certainly prepare you well for any and every curveball that comes after the first.
3. Solopreneurship isn’t infinite.
Thirdly, Jayde says to “do things for as long as they serve a purpose.” She confessed that there may come a day when she takes an elongated pause on one of her few solopreneur pursuits. She then very quickly re-affirmed that if that were to happen, it’d be totally okay.
“I started my agency just to have agency over my life … and that was simply it,” Jayde admitted.
Solopreneurship does not have to be forever. Ventures come to an end, they withstand and survive all sorts of transformations in their lifespans. It happens. If you sense that it could be time to step back or throw in the towel, definitely evaluate this decision with care. Just don’t feel pressured to abide by a commitment that may no longer reflect your needs.
Sometimes, saying farewell to a business pursuit means “see you later,” not goodbye forever.
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How to become a solopreneur (even with a 9 to 5)
When I asked Jayde what one thing she’d tell someone who is considering starting their own solopreneur venture, she said to me, “Solopreneurship will humble you.”
Some of you may have (understandably) interpreted that as a sign to run for the hills. Thankfully, I saw it as an opportunity to take notes and gather more expertise.
This said, here are Jayde’s top three recommendations for getting started with solopreneurship, with confidence:
1. Understand that solopreneurship is fluid.
Sometimes, what works wonders for one person might be totally different for another. Jayde reinforced that this is the beauty (and sometimes the challenge) of solopreneurship.
“People were assuming that I was trying to grow my business into this multi-billion dollar company,” Jayde shared. “They were asking me about how I was scaling … I was just like, ‘first of all, that’s not why I’m here.’”
She then clarified, sharing that she’s an aspiring “anti-capitalist.” Surely, this self-proclaimed identity only complements her non-conventional, far-reaching LinkedIn presence.
Even if you have alternative priorities to Jayde’s, I still suggest taking a page from her book of wisdom, particularly because solopreneurship looks differently for every business owner. Any and all results of your solopreneurship journey depend on what your goals are and how you measure them.
The sooner you accept that your methods are likely not like the methods of another solopreneur, the sooner you’ll be able to attract a specific network of customers, clientele, and loyal followers.
2. Craft a work experience and personal branding that are specifically tailored to you.
As a solopreneur, consider your personal branding as a client’s first impression of you.
“My LinkedIn is like a preview into what it would be like to work with me … It’s a great space for me because I’m a content creator. I create content for brands,” Jayde told me.
If you follow Jayde on LinkedIn, you’ll notice that half of her posts don’t reflect “typical LinkedIn content.” That’s on purpose.
As a vetted social media strategist and ex-“bird app” (formerly Twitter, now X) user, Jayde came to LinkedIn with the intention of restoring the community-building and content-creation efforts she’d already been doing so effortlessly in other online spaces. And even though she’s only been posting content on LinkedIn for a year, it’s been working out pretty well for her thus far.
On LinkedIn, she’s breathing fresh air into timelines everywhere (including my own), sharing original short-form videos, memes, and even hot takes on pop culture happenings. This mixed bag of material has not only generated new followership but 1:1 engagement with Jayde’s personality, favorite trends, values, and interests.
By owning who she is and actively defining herself in front of new eyes, Jayde creates signature opportunities for connection with her clients that cannot be found elsewhere.
3. Do things not only for yourself, but for the goals you set for your business’ growth.
Jayde’s philosophy for successful solopreneurship involves continuous learning and boundless curiosity.
“I’ve been focused on leveling up my skills outside of my usual wheelhouse. I recently took a class on art direction … because I wanted to understand what that scope of work looks like, if I do need to utilize those skills with a future client.”
It may seem out of left field, but as Jayde’s advice emphasizes, you never know when you’ll be called to do something that could catapult your business to new heights.
As a solopreneur, every day is a chance to say ‘yes’ to something new and to expand your aptitudes.
Solopreneurship: Risks and rewards
As I’ve (and Jayde) mentioned throughout this post, solopreneurship is a tempting path, one that presents many challenges.
However, if I haven’t already, I’m not telling you this to scare you. Instead, I’m sharing this knowledge to ground your pursuits and decision-making as you consider if solopreneurship is for you.
Here are some risks and rewards that you can expect in the solopreneur journey, regardless of what stage you start in, and some recommendations for slaying the solopreneurship space:
1. Risk: Burnout
As a solopreneur, you’ll be wearing multiple hats. And things will get hectic.
Thus, this constant juggling act, coupled with external pressures and the isolation that can come with working alone, can potentially lead to burnout. You may not see its effects right away, but you’ll likely feel it before you witness its quiet wrath.
It's essential to recognize the signs of burnout and implement strategies to prevent it, such as setting boundaries around when you do work/how you do it, creating a strong list of tasks and objectives, and, of course, prioritizing self-care.
2. Reward: Freedom of choice/control
One of the most enticing aspects of solopreneurship is the ability to be your own boss (duh).
You have the freedom to make decisions, set your own hours, and determine the direction of your business. This autonomy empowers you to create a lifestyle that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
3. Risk: Doing (most) things by yourself
As a solopreneur, you're a one-person show. Read that sentence twice.
While this offers unparalleled autonomy, it also means shouldering a significant workload. This isolation can spiral out of control if not managed effectively. Yes, you’re a solo-preneur, but no one can make it fully alone.
Building a strong support network, whether through professional communities or outsourcing certain tasks, is crucial for maintaining a stable work-life balance and effectively avoiding burnout.
4. Reward: Building strong client relationships
Solopreneurs typically have direct and close relationships with their clients. This allows for interpersonal B2C rapport-building, curating a deeper understanding of their needs, and an ability to deliver highly personalized services and experiences.
Now, there are so many other nuances involved with charting your course as a solopreneur. If I tried to include them all in this article, you’d probably be here reading all day.
The point is this: Although solopreneurship requires a commitment to constant learning, with careful planning, resourcefulness, and the right support network, you can overcome these hurdles.
Solopreneurship Examples
Solopreneurship offers a vast landscape of possibilities. From the digital realm to tangible products, there's an entrepreneurial avenue for everyone. The key is identifying your passions and skills, then turning them into a profitable venture.
Here are a few ideas of businesses that you could potentially launch as your first solopreneurship venture:
1. Airbnb Host
Listing part of your home or a separate space on Airbnb is a great way to generate income while you pursue other passions. In this avenue of solopreneurship, you need to keep up with routine maintenance, house cleaning, and making happy customers boost your credentials on the app against your competitors.
2. Personal Trainer
Do you have a passion for fitness like CrossFit, boxing, or more? Use social media to show off your expertise and attract clients looking for personal trainers that can teach them with one-on-one guidance.
3. Graphic Designer
If you have an artistic eye and digital artwork, being a freelance graphic designer could be a fun avenue for solopreneurship. Share your portfolio and help businesses or entrepreneurs improve their social media channels with your inventive logos, banners, and more.
4. Artist
From abstract paintings to realistic sculptures, selling one-of-a-kind artwork is a special way to generate income. If your art has a distinct style, tag it as such on social media and you’ll find plenty of connoisseurs on the lookout for your next masterpiece.
5. Photographer
Wedding photographers, graduation portraits, and other occasions are a great way to run your own business. People want to capture special moments with a passionate photographer that’s willing to do it, put yourself out there and build your portfolio.
6. Furniture Refinishing
Home-owners will pay top dollar for vintage furniture pieces that can’t be found in your average furniture store. If you are handy with woodwork or reupholstering pre-loved furniture, there’s a wide market for your services to explore.
7. Event Planner
Dealing with event planning logistics can be a headache for anybody, and plenty of people don’t mind reaching out for a helping hand. If you’re good with problem-solving, organization, and communication — then event planning could be a great avenue to work in.
Solopreneurship: To be or Not to be?
So, the final question remains: Should you secure your solopreneurship bag?
The answer? Well, just like most things in life, your choice depends on your individual circumstances and goals.
While solopreneurship does clearly offer the freedom and flexibility that many folks crave, it's important to be realistic about its potential challenges and sacrifices. Just as Jayde has proven, success in solopreneurship requires a relentless pursuit of knowledge, a willingness to adapt, and a strong understanding of your business’ purpose.
All-in-all, if you're passionate about your idea and are willing to put in the hard work, solopreneurship can be truly fulfilling.
So, take that leap of faith, embrace the journey, and discover the incredible rewards that await you.
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