How to become a solopreneur

Does the idea of being your own boss sound like a dream come true? Perhaps it's time to consider becoming a solopreneur. Solopreneurs can set their own hours, work independently towards their goals, and enjoy more control over how much money they make.

There are many exciting and rewarding career options for solopreneurs, but they also need to be disciplined, resilient, and willing to take a few risks along the way. Read on to learn more about solopreneurs and the steps you can follow to start your own solo-business.

What does a solopreneur do?

As the name suggests, solopreneurs are entrepreneurs who choose to build and run businesses on their own. They're different from entrepreneurs in that they're not trying to scale up and build a business with employees and complex structures. Instead, they elect to remain self-reliant and focus on building a sustainable income without the complexities of managing others.

Solopreneurs need to have a broad skill set to keep all aspects of their businesses running smoothly.

Steps to become a solopreneur

Step 1: Identify your niche and skills

Solopreneurs can choose from a wide variety of careers, whether it's tree felling, house cleaning, software development, or sales. There are multiple industries and niche skills that solopreneurs can access to build their own businesses.

You might already have some skills or passions that you'd like to turn into a solopreneur career, or you might decide to look for opportunities and then upskill yourself to meet emerging market demands.

Step 2: Develop a business plan

This step can be as simple or as complex as you make it. The goal is to clarify how you can use your skills to generate income. Start by asking yourself questions like, "Who would be interested in my skill set?" and "How can I connect with people who are willing to pay for the skills and knowledge I offer?"

At this stage, you'll also need to look at how you plan to price the services you'll be offering, and determine whether a market exists at the price point you have in mind.

Step 3: Start building a client base

Once you've got a basic plan and identified your skills, it's time to start finding clients and bringing in work. Your marketing strategies will differ depending on the niche that you've selected — you might need to build a strong online presence, join a freelancing platform, or work at networking and building relationships in your local community.

Offering a high-quality product and being reliable can go a long way to ensuring clients keep coming back — and that's what will help you build a sustainable career.

Step 4: Don't give up too easily

Building a client base can be hard work and might take longer than you'd hoped.

Being a solopreneur demands resilience, and you're likely to face rejection and setbacks before seeing results. Remember, solopreneurship is a journey, and success often hinges on consistency and adaptability.

Step 5: Keep learning and evolving

As your client base grows, and you gain experience, you might need to tweak certain aspects of your original business plan. Solopreneurs need to stay adaptable and make sure that they're learning and upskilling as they build their brand and business. Consider further study or short courses to keep your skills current and meet any gaps that you might have.