Portrait of confident creative businesswoman in office. Concept: solopreneur
Timothy R
By: timothy-ronaldson
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What Is a Solopreneur? The Ultimate Guide

Being a solopreneur is easier through technology and the fact that many other people are engaged in the same business practice.

Solopreneurship is the ultimate best business solution for anyone looking to start their own business on their own.

This article provides all the tools and resources you need to get up and running quickly and efficiently. It lists benefits, different types, ideas, and tips to become a successful solopreneur. We’ll also help you understand how they differ from entrepreneurs.

What Is a Solopreneur?

Solopreneurs differ from other business owners because they are entrepreneurs who work alone, without employees or partners. This can be a freelance business, a small business, or even a large company.

Being a solopreneur has many benefits, including setting your own hours, working from anywhere, and being your own boss. It can also be challenging, as you are responsible for everything in the business.

If you are thinking of starting a business or are already running one by yourself, you may be a solopreneur.

Apply now!

Solopreneur vs. Entrepreneur: 9 Key Differences

Entrepreneurs hire employees. Solopreneurs use contractors

Solopreneurs don’t go about their business entirely on their own. They do work with other people to build their businesses. But how they go about doing it is what separates them from entrepreneurs.

When entrepreneurs need help, they hire full- and part-time employees. These people become part of the business’s staff, handling any number of duties the entrepreneur can’t take on their own.

When solopreneurs need help, they opt instead to hire contractors or freelancers. These contractors may have similar responsibilities to the entrepreneur’s employees – handling IT, HR, billing, etc. – but they won’t be on staff and paid through payroll.

Entrepreneurs hop around. Solopreneurs have a singular focus

What makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur is their desire to jump on opportunities when they arise. Many entrepreneurs will start one business, sell it and pursue another option when one comes along.

Solopreneurs, meanwhile, tend to be focused on their one business for their entire lifetime. They are less likely to start a business with the intent to eventually sell it for an enormous profit to a bigger company.

Instead, they look to grow a business over time, use it to fund their lifestyle, and pass it on or close up shop.

Entrepreneurs are the face of the company. Solopreneurs are worker bees

Many entrepreneurs are great salespeople and great networkers. So, while they may have had an excellent idea for a business venture and got the business off the ground, their largest value often lies in their ability to make connections and deals.

As such, many entrepreneurs will start a business and then hire the right people to run the business while they’re out closing deals. They are great sellers and marketers and serve as the face of the company.

Solopreneurs are often solid networkers and salespeople, too, but they prefer to do the business’s work.

While they understand the importance of networking and marketing, they often feel more comfortable doing the job than spreading the word about the company.

Entrepreneurs delegate. Solopreneurs roll their sleeves up

When a need arises, the first instinct of most entrepreneurs is to delegate tasks to the right people to get the job done. It’s not as if entrepreneurs don’t do any work themselves.

On the contrary, most entrepreneurs start their businesses by doing everything themselves. It’s just that, over time, they transition into leading a team instead of handling everything independently.

When a need arises with solopreneurs, they tend to handle everything independently. They know the market and how to take it, roll their sleeves up, and get the job done.

Entrepreneurs have an office. Solopreneurs usually work at home

Entrepreneurs work mainly in an office setting, surrounded by a team of employees. They have a private office in their space, a conference room that hosts current and potential clients, and brainstorming sessions among the team.

Solopreneurs, meanwhile, can also work from home. While they have many clients, they don’t often need to host these clients. And because they work alone, they don’t need to spend money on office space.

Entrepreneurs crave growth. Solopreneurs crave stability

Entrepreneurs are always looking for the next biggest thing. They are always looking to build more and more value in their business.

To that end, they constantly strive to develop their startup into a more powerful business to create long-lasting and impressive growth.

Solopreneurs are more focused on building something sustainable. Since they only have themselves to rely on, it’s more difficult for solopreneurs to scale up.

Entrepreneurs share the fruits of their labor. Solopreneurs keep it all

Because entrepreneurs will hire employees and perhaps even have business partners or investors, there will often be a need to share company profits.

They may have other shareholders to share dividends with when the company does well. They may even have another co-owner they must share profits with if they sell the business.

Because solopreneurs do it alone, they reap all the benefits of their hard work. All the profits the business generates are the solopreneurs to keep.

They have no one they must share it with since they are the sole owner and operator.

Entrepreneurs share decision-making responsibilities. Solopreneurs decide on their own

While entrepreneurs may ultimately have the final say, they often must share decision-making responsibilities with others in the company.

Again, entrepreneurs may have shareholders or co-owners to answer or advise when they need to make a decision.

Solopreneurs, on the other hand, make all decisions by themselves. While they may rely on other people for advice, ultimately, every decision rests in their hands alone.

Remember, solopreneurs are entrepreneurs, but not all entrepreneurs are solopreneurs.

Entrepreneurs make a transition from a startup. Solopreneurs keep the same working mindset

At the outset of most startups, entrepreneurs and solopreneurs think and act alike. Both must first shoulder all the work to build their business from the ground up.

What differentiates the two is what happens when the business has built enough capital and gets bigger.

When this happens to entrepreneurs, they turn to the outside to bring someone on their team. When this happens for solopreneurs, they re-arrange their workflow to handle it themselves – opting for contracted help when needed.

Learn about other types of business structures

Types of Solopreneurs

The Serial Solopreneur

They’re always starting new businesses and ventures. They get bored quickly and need constant stimulation. While they may not always be successful, they always have new ideas and are always moving forward.

The Passionate Solopreneur

Their passion for their business drives this type. They are usually very successful, putting all their time and energy into their venture. However, they can sometimes be so passionate that they burn out quickly.

The Strategic Solopreneur

This owner is very strategic and calculated in their business moves. They take their time to plan and research before making any decisions.

This can sometimes make them seem like they are moving too slowly, but it usually pays off in the long run.

The Innovative Solopreneur

They are very creative and always look for ways to improve their business. However, they can sometimes be so innovative that they get ahead of themselves and bite off more than they can chew.

The Analytical Solopreneur

They are always looking at the numbers and trying to figure out the best way to do things.

This can sometimes make them seem like they are overthinking things, but it usually helps them make better decisions in the long run.

Solopreneur Benefits

There are many benefits to being a solopreneur.

  • Solopreneurs have complete control over their businesses. They can make decisions quickly and without having to consult with anyone else. This allows them to be very agile and responsive to the needs of their customers.
  • Another benefit of being a solopreneur is that they can often work more flexible hours than employees of traditional businesses. This flexibility allows them to balance their work and personal lives better.
  • They don’t have to commute to an office, saving them time and money.
  • These business owners typically have a lower overhead than traditional businesses. This means they can keep more profits, leading to a higher standard of living.

Cons of Being a Solopreneur

  • Working alone can be lonely, and you may miss out on the camaraderie and collaboration of colleagues.
  • You’ll have to wear all the hats in your business, from marketing to sales to customer service to finance, which can be overwhelming.
  • You may find taking time off, or vacation challenging since nobody else can pick up the slack when you’re gone.
  • Solopreneurs often report feeling burned out more quickly than those who work for others or organizations since they don’t have anyone else to share the load with.

Solopreneur Business Ideas

Choose from here any solopreneur business model to get you started

  • Start a blog: If you have something to say and are passionate about it, creating a blog can be a great solopreneur business idea. You all need a computer and an internet connection, and you can generate income!
  • Start an online store: With platforms like Shopify and even social media channels, it’s easier to start your online business. Starting an online store can be a great solopreneurship business idea, whether you’re selling physical goods or digital products.
  • Offer consulting services: If you have expertise in a particular area, you can offer your services as a consultant. This can be anything from financial advice to digital marketing counseling.
  • Freelance services: Being a freelance graphic designer, writer, virtual assistant, etc., can be lucrative. Start by assessing your skills and looking for services you can provide. Once you have a solid list of services to offer, create a portfolio site or online shop to showcase your work.
  • Event planner: If you’re organized and are passionate about planning events, you can offer your services to businesses that need assistance with planning and executing events, such as corporate functions, conferences, and product launches.

Many of the best solopreneur businesses are out there, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing solopreneur ideas:

  • What are your skills and strengths?
  • What are you passionate about?
  • What does the market demand?
  • What can you realistically achieve?

Tips to Be a Successful Solopreneur

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the path to success will vary depending on your individual strengths and weaknesses.

However, some tips for becoming a successful solopreneur include:

  • Finding a mentor or coach who can help guide you and give you feedback.
  • Developing a strong personal brand and marketing yourself effectively.
  • Building a network of supportive friends and business contacts.
  • Creating valuable content that showcases your expertise.
  • Strive for excellence in everything you do.

Tools for Solopreneurs

There are a few key tools that every solopreneur should have in their toolkit. Below are some of the most essential.

  • Project management tool: This will help you keep track of all your tasks and deadlines and ensure that you stay on top of everything.
  • Task management tool: This will help you prioritize your tasks and ensure that you complete the most important ones.
  • Time tracking tool: This will help you understand where you’re spending your time and how to use it more effectively.
  • Financial management tool: These tools will help you track your income and expenses and ensure that your finances are in order.

With these tools in your toolkit, you’ll be well on your way to solopreneur success!

Finding Financing for Solopreneurs

If you’re a solopreneur, you know how difficult it can be to find financing for your business. Banks and other traditional lenders are often hesitant to lend money to businesses with no track record or collateral.

Camino Financial is different. We’re here to help you start your business and grow it into a successful company.

We offer startup loans that can help you invest in your business venture.

No matter what stage of growth or development you are in as an entrepreneur, you can get the financing you need with our lending products.

Apply For A Startup Business Loan!

FAQs

What’s the difference between solopreneurs and small business owners?

A solopreneur is always a small business owner, but a small business owner is not always a solopreneur (they can be an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, startup, etc…).

Also, one of the main differences between a solopreneur and a small business owner is that a solopreneur typically works alone, while a small business owner typically has employees.

Does a solopreneur have employees?

Because a solopreneur works on their own, they usually don’t have any staff. They may hire freelancers or contractors to help them with specific tasks or projects, but those hires wouldn’t be actual employees.

What business structure is best for solopreneurs?

The best business structure for solopreneurs is a sole proprietorship. This is because it’s the simplest business structure and doesn’t require forming a separate legal entity.

A single individual owns a sole proprietorship, and there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business.

This means that the owner is personally liable for any liabilities incurred by the business and can make all decisions without consulting anyone else.

Who is a good solopreneur example?

There are many successful solopreneurs out there across different industries. One example is Sarah Blakely, the founder of Spanx.

Blakely started her company out of her apartment, with no employees or partners, and built it into a multi-million dollar business. She is now one of the richest self-made women in America.

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