If you’re looking at changing your career, you may be considering a trek into solopreneurship. Or maybe you’re just tired of working for someone else and want to do it on your own.
Either way, it’s helpful to understand exactly what it means to be a solopreneur. This enables you to make the best decision for you when it comes to whether you should pursue becoming a one-person business or if another career path may be better.
The problem with researching solopreneurship is that the information you find doesn’t always paint an accurate picture of what this business ownership option is like. To help correct this, here are five solopreneur myths and the truths behind them.
You Get to Be Your Own Boss
Technically, this one is true. However, it’s also untrue in that when you own a business, your clients are your bosses. They are the ones who tell you what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. Sure, you can set some boundaries but, in many cases, they’re the ones calling the shots.
This means that if you’re leaving traditional employment, you’re trading in one or two bosses for several people telling you what to do and how to do it. Again, your expertise should be driving the train, so to speak. But you also may be carrying a lot of passengers who want to share their input.
You Can Work Whenever You Want
Admittedly, being a solopreneur often provides more latitude when it comes to your daily schedule. If you need a few hours off for a doctor’s appointment, for instance, you don’t have to ask for the time off. Just work around it when scheduling your projects.
At the same time, this common statement about solopreneurship makes it sound like you can work just a few hours a day and you’ll do great. The reality is that I’ve put in more hours as a one-person business than I ever did when holding down a full-time job and two part-time positions (at the same time). When you are the only one responsible for your success, you’re also the one who has to put in the work.
Solopreneurship Is Lonely
Yes, many times you are alone when you run a one-person business. But in the end, it’s up to you whether you are lonely or not, as there are numerous business-related opportunities to fill your social needs.
One is to network with other solopreneurs. You can do this online or in person. Another option is to join local business organizations, such as the chamber of commerce. This is great for keeping your finger on the community while making connections with others who may need your products or services.
Anyone Can Be a Solopreneur
Certainly, anyone can start their own business working for themselves and by themselves. But starting a business is only part of the equation. You also have to keep it running and, with enough hard work and sometimes luck, it will wind up thriving.
The truth behind this myth is that not everyone has what it takes to be a successful solopreneur. You need to be a planner, organized, and willing to work on days when most others have off. You have to also be able to wear many different hats at any given time, oftentimes acting as your own bookkeeper, marketing manager, and more—all while still trying to deliver your products and services.
You Have to Know Everything as a Solopreneur
The fact that you will likely have to do a lot of different functions as a solopreneur can be scary. What if you aren’t good with organization? This can impact you when doing your monthly paperwork or getting everything together at tax time. What if you don’t know the best marketing techniques? This can hurt you when trying to grow your business.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to know how to do all of these tasks. Either you can learn some of them along the way or outsource them to someone who does know how to do them. Just because you are a solopreneur doesn’t mean that you are entirely on your own. Help is out there. All you have to do is find it. And it can free up a lot of your time when you do.
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