Do you struggle as a solopreneur trying to grow your business when you don’t have a spouse, friend, or business partner to build with you?

Sure, you have people who support. But most times, even they can’t fully see the vision. And, that’s okay because God didn’t give the vision to them. He gave it to you.

But, let’s be real. Being a solopreneur is HARD, though it’s not punishment. God calls us to solopreneurship for different reasons & in different seasons. Just because you’re building alone doesn’t mean you’re actually alone. 
Here are some tips I use to stay encouraged, sane, and organized as a solopreneur.

1. Find a mentor and/or coach (even if your relationship is from afar to begin with).

For some, it’s best to hire a coach. For some, your mentor may never know your name. Many look for free mentorship. Good News! It’s available.

Ask God who you can trust in this season to pour into you and follow them on social media. They don’t have to sit and have coffee with you to pour into you. I always see people DM their favorite coach or expert asking to be “mentored” because they don’t have the budget to work with them 1:1. However, they’re already mentoring you through their daily content, free resources, etc. You don’t have to be in close proximity with someone to learn from them. Study their craft. Study how they engage with their clients and audience.

However, depending on the level and season of your business, you likely need to HIRE HELP. 
Even as a business coach, I hired a business coach more successful than me because of this year’s goals. Although I “know” what to do, it’s helpful to have someone to clarify, strategize, and support your goals.

Seeking help doesn’t mean you’re not good at what you do. Read that again. 
Seeking help doesn’t mean you’re not good at what you do.
Seeking help means you have a vision bigger than you. 
So, utilize the support and resources your budget and time will allow.

Hire the coach. Study the mentor.

Also important to note! Secondary advice should be CONFIRMATION. 
How do you know if someone’s advice is FOR YOU and FROM GOD? 
Well, does it confirm what you think He’s already been speaking? 
Does it answer a question you had or solve a problem you were experiencing? 
Does it align with Scripture? Does it bring clarity and peace to your idea? This requires you to sit with God and listen to Him first so that it can be confirmed through someone else. 
Often times, we do the opposite. We listen to people first. Then, we ask God about it. But, get the word from God first. Then, allow others to confirm it.

2 | Find a beneficial & mutual community of other entrepreneurs.

Being a solopreneur isn’t an excuse to do everything alone. For example, as a writer, I paid a monthly subscription to join a writers’ community that provided masterclasses, trainings, and connections with other writers. While the classes were helpful, I was most encouraged by the overwhelming support of members within the community. While I was at a more advanced place platform-wise than some within the community, it was an amazing, safe space to receive support whilee also helping others.

I’m also currently paying a pretty expensive penny for a high-end group coaching program. In this program, I have access to 7 figure level education. I also have the chance to collaborate with entrepreneurs currently at a higher level of impact and income than me.

I also have other entrepreneurial friends in real life that I pray for, receive encouragement from, and I pay nothing for.

The point is… Community for a solopreneur can look different depending on the need, season, and resources you have available.

Regardless of the TYPE of community, know that community requires humility. It requires you to humble yourself and admit you don’t know everything. It requires you to learn from someone you see as your “peer”. Community requires you to be patient, serve, and pour into someone else. True community should embrace and enhance your individual gifts and skills. But, it also requires you to come together collectively, so that everyone can move forward with God’s bigger agenda.

3 | Write out the vision often to keep your sight on the bigger picture.

Take CEO days to work ON your business instead of always working to keep up IN your business.

As a solopreneur, it’s very easy to be consumed with day-to-day responsibilities. Let’s be honest. Sometimes your clients and customers’ requests can distract you from the bigger vision. For example, when clients ask for services you don’t technically offer, you take it on anyway to make the sale. You get caught up with social media posting and engagement, and you forget to actually pitch to potential clients.

It’s critical as a solopreneur to keep your SIGHT clear.

Take one day a week to check in with your business plan, cast vision, and plan for scaling and future projects.

People will always have demands and expectations, but it’s up to you to set the tone for your brand and business.

Solopreneurship can get lonely. But, it won’t always be this way. One day, you’ll have a team. And, you can’t write a job description for them without a clear vision from you. So, operate in your business as if you already have a team. Have standard operating procedures and policies. Create templates and processes that anyone could come in and use. Use systems that help free up time so that your business runs efficiently.

You’re in business alone, but that doesn’t mean the quality and organization of your business has to suffer. Write the vision often. Work ON your business. Streamline your work. Get your operations in order.

Need help as a solopreneur getting clear and organized in your business?

At WorkRedefined Consulting, we provide clarity, strategy, and support to the purpose-driven, multi-passionate, solopreneur looking to expand their income and impact with balance.

Check out how we can serve you at https://workredefinedconsulting.com