In my early days of working for the courts, I had one incident where I was speaking to a judge and questioned a particular process. It didn’t make sense to me and I felt that there was a more effective way to achieve a particular goal. I was abruptly shut down and made to feel small. I never questioned anything openly again. That carried with me when I first started my … [Read more...]
Christina DeBusk
Regular Contributor
5 Ways to Keep Your One-Person Business Going If You’re Unable to Work
When you run a traditional business, employees can help pick up the slack if you’re ill, injured, or otherwise unable to work for an extended amount of time. But if you’re a one-person business, being forced to take days, weeks, or even months off has the potential of causing damage to the point where you have to close your doors for good. This makes times like we’re seeing … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Every Solopreneur Should Write a Book
When you hear the word "author," your mind likely goes to big names like James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Agatha Christie, or even Dr. Seuss. Yet, if you look at the latest bestseller lists, you’ll also find names of people who are perhaps better known for their businesses. James Collins, Dale Carnegie, Stephen Covey, Tim Ferriss, and Seth Godin would all be on this list. But … [Read more...]
Returning to Work Amidst Coronavirus: Recommendations for Solopreneurs
With the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus beginning to stabilize and, in some areas, actually decline, many jurisdictions are loosening their restrictions. Businesses are given the green light to reopen as long as they follow specific social distancing and sanitation guidelines. If you are a solopreneur who works from home, like I do as a freelance writer, many of … [Read more...]
5 Free Resources for Solopreneurs Struggling Due to the Coronavirus
Though the coronavirus stimulus package provides monies for small businesses, there is still some confusion about how much help you can receive as a solopreneur, independent contractor, or freelancer. This can make running your one-person business even more stressful because you aren’t quite sure what resources are available. While I certainly don’t have any answers as to … [Read more...]
What Can Solopreneurs Do to Survive the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic?
With the rapid spread of COVID-19—the deadly and contagious coronavirus that initiated in Wuhan, China late last year—we are in unchartered territories. Some businesses are being asked to restrict their hours and services. Others are being forced to shut down completely. Even solopreneurs who typically work from home, like I do as a freelance writer, are feeling the effects. … [Read more...]
Why DIYers Do (and Do Not) Make Good Solopreneurs
If you’ve been following the Successful Solopreneur column for any length of time, you already know I’m a full-time freelance writer who transitioned from a career in law enforcement approximately eight years ago. But what you may not know is I am a big do-it-yourselfer. If I can take care of something that needs to be done myself with a little learning and time, I’ll do … [Read more...]
3 Success Tips for Solopreneurs that Are Somewhat Counterintuitive
This year I feel more motivated than ever to not just run my business, but to take it as far as it (and I) can physically go. Maybe even a little further. Not that I haven’t had similar goals in the past, because I have. This year, they just feel more intense. Like I’ve somehow found this ball of unbridled energy deep in the pit of my gut and want to use it as fuel to … [Read more...]
3 Numbers You Should Calculate Before the New Year as a Solopreneur
How many times have you heard that if you really want to succeed in business, you have to know your numbers? When I first started out as a solopreneur, I didn’t think that this advice applied to me. Because I don’t own a huge company, manufacture products, or have a ton of employees, I felt that I was somehow excluded from keeping track of these types of metrics. Boy was I … [Read more...]
Texting Clients: What Are the Benefits…and the “Rules”?
In September, my husband and I moved to Texas. He had built a home there before we met and, upon moving for work, has since rented it out. As his new position would require constant travel, we could now live anywhere. So we decided to quit paying rent and move back into the home. But first we needed to have a bit of work done to it, like repainting the interior, replacing … [Read more...]
