The Rise of Solopreneurs

What does the term "Solopreneur" mean? 

Well, it's a relatively new term that has emerged due to the increasing popularity of remote work and aspirational lifestyle businesses.

I know this firsthand because I'm a solopreneur myself - a new breed of business owners who are redefining the traditional startup model by operating independently and flexibly.

So, what's the difference between a solopreneur and an entrepreneur?

Technically, they're the same thing - both identify a need or opportunity in the market and take on the risk of starting a business to meet that need or pursue that opportunity.

However, there are some key differences.

Entrepreneurs typically need to think more about payroll and delegation. They aim to scale up their businesses and create more businesses. Managing teams can be stressful, but also rewarding. As someone who has experienced both the highs and lows of having staff, I can say that scaling down to solo has made me more nimble, adaptive, and less reliant on sales as there are fewer people to worry about.

On the other hand, solopreneurs are a "one person business."
In Latin, "solus" means "alone", "only", or "single". 

Solopreneurs deal with less risk, but do everything required in their business to function.

They work on their own terms, with a goal of creating a sustainable business. The key distinguishing point is that solopreneurs don't generally have a team, though they may hire the occasional freelancer for help. Sites like upwork.com, fiverr.com, or peopleperhour.com are great places to find workers, if you can find the right people.

What type of businesses can a solopreneur start?

The internet has lead to the rise of buzzwords like digital nomads, drop shippers, freelancers, coaches/consultants, Amazon FBA owners, YouTubers, and e-commerce owners. Over the next decade more names will appear in this category than any other industry. In short, if you can turn a side hustle into something that pays the bills, congratulations - you can consider yourself a solopreneur.

If you're thinking about starting a solopreneur journey, I've spent a lot of time researching tools and resources that can help you on your way. As more people opt out of the 9-5 and jump into a lifestyle business that works for them, there is almost a guarantee that there will be a steady rise in solopreneurs.

I'm treating my personal brand from a solopreneur angle, as it allows me to:

• Not rely on anyone else, 
• Keep things lean, 
• Make my brand feel authentic. 

Maybe I'll hire an editor or copywriter occasionally, but the main goal is to create value for others, whilst staying independent. 

And hopefully, we get paid along the way - isn't that what a business is all about?