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When people hear the word business, most of them will immediately think of corporations with hundreds and thousands of employees, a board of directors, and the almighty CEO. Being a solopreneur is the opposite of this despite being in the same field.
There are many reasons why more and more individuals are now choosing to be solopreneurs vs entrepreneurs. This includes being their own boss, working on their own schedule, taking home all the profit from their hard work, and many more. That’s why we compiled a list of solopreneur business ideas that can help you start your own journey, but first, what is a solopreneur?
What is a solopreneur business?
Solopreneur is a combination of the words “solo” which means alone and the word “preneur” which comes from the term entrepreneur. It simply refers to an individual running a one-man business. This means that they are the person that operates most if not all of the business operations, from developing a plan to the actual creation of a product or service and its marketing.
Being a solopreneur is a lot of work, but the benefits will surely be worth it because since you are the only person who worked on it, that also means you get to have all the profit. However, not all individuals will be suitable to be solopreneurs, and some will actually thrive in being entrepreneurs. So, what’s the difference between the two?
What Are the Advantages of Being a Solopreneur vs Entrepreneur?
Solopreneur is a term that has only gained popularity in recent years. This is most likely because of the rise of different ways to earn online at home on your computer or even just your phone. However, this does not tell us everything we need to know why most people are now choosing to run their business alone rather than to start a company with a team of employees. So, here are some of the benefits of being a solopreneur:
- You choose when and how to work: Flexibility of your time is one of the main reasons for choosing solopreneurship, but keep in mind that you also have to manage your own schedule to be able to do all the tasks daily.
- Avoid the stress of managing a team: Most people will think that only introverts will choose this path, but individuals who work in a corporation know how hard it is to work with different groups of people who come from different backgrounds. Not to mention, the office can turn into a toxic competition between employees.
- Lower expenses to start and run the business: Also, more and more people are choosing to become solopreneurs because it is just less expensive to start and maintain, mainly because you won’t have to worry about paying your employees. Rather, it is much easier to hire some contractors if the business needs some help in the future.
- Simpler and more efficient business processes: In a big company, every decision and operation will go through a different person in charge of a certain aspect of the business. The order will come from the top to the actual professional who will do the job. This can sometimes be inefficient and time-consuming, unlike being a solopreneur where all the processes are operated by one person.
- You can build a personal brand: One of the best things about being a solopreneur is the ability to turn your hard work into a personal brand. This also means that you have to make sure that the quality of your products or services is one of the best because it will reflect who you are as a person.
Best 23 Solopreneur Business Ideas
If you are set on starting your own solopreneur business, here are some ideas that might interest you.
1. Graphic Design
Graphic designing will only become more popular as visually appealing content dominates the online world. Companies and brands will need someone who can design and edit their images and advertising materials so launching your own business around this field will surely be profitable.
There will be a lot of competition in this field, but if you can showcase your talents and skills then you can be a top candidate for other companies. You can do this through a well-planned portfolio that contains all your best work and testimonials from clients who have worked with you in the past.
2. Web Development
Websites are more important than ever in the digital world. All businesses and companies are using it for various purposes including attracting new users, finding leads or potential customers, and building it to be their sales funnel. Web developers will stay in demand for a very long time even if different platforms now allow anyone to build a website within a few minutes.
It is because larger corporations and some small businesses will need specific features in their website that online website builders just can’t recreate. Additionally, the ability to customize the different aspects of a website will be important to create a brand and it is a skill that most web developers possess.
3. Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant can be a good solopreneur business idea as long as you know how to scale it. This means getting the highest quality clients that you can attract. Most individuals try to onboard as many clients as they can only to get burnt out in the end. Quality matters more for this type of business. Being a virtual assistant for larger brands will pay better than a number of small business owner clients. However, just like you need to start small especially if you don’t have the experience yet.
4. Event Planning
Event planning does not have to involve you orchestrating all the little details in an event, the most important part is to focus on the features of the event that the client wants to be a part of. Events can range from weddings, and birthday parties to corporate gatherings and conferences
5. Dog Grooming & Walking
If you are someone who wants to start a business and love your pets at the same time then why not start a venture around the idea of taking care of someone else’s pets? Dogs and other animals will always be a part of a lot of families and homes, this means your clients will be abundant. However, your performance and how much these pets actually love you taking of them will be the key to the business.
6. Tutoring Business
Being an expert in a specific subject or field can be a great idea for a solopreneur business. You can reach out to your friends and families first to ask if anyone needs your help studying and tutoring services. Then through word-of-mouth marketing or posting your services on platforms such as UpWork or Fiverr, you can grow your client base and your business.
7. Copywriting
Copywriting is another good choice for solopreneurs. It does not require you to meet anyone in person since most of the work can be done in front of your computer. You can start by writing your own articles about certain topics and industries. It will actually be better for your business if you specialize in a specific niche rather than be a general topic writer.
Blog owners and publishing companies all look for writers who have personal experiences on the subject that they will ask them to write. So, focus on writing content on the topic that you are passionate about. This way you can also avoid burnout and be in higher demand. Just remember to create a portfolio of sample work and articles you have written to showcase to your future clients.
8. Financial Consultancy
If you have a good background in finance, this can include being an accountant or even bookkeeping, a financial consulting business can be a great solopreneur venture. You can help both large companies and small businesses with their budgeting and understanding their profits, expenses, and revenues. You will have to be familiar with all these terms and how a business actually works.
9. Personal Trainer
More and more people are becoming aware of their health and even want to go to the gym to stay fit but do not have an idea where and how to start. If you have experience in working out and staying fit, then you can lead by example and attract clients who will want to know your routines and training.
You can start a solopreneur business out of this idea, and if you want you can even turn it into a brand that sells not only a personal training regime but also other products. Some examples are Gymshark and Alex Hormoni.
10. Software Development
There are thousands and thousands of software out there, but a new and creative app will always be in demand. The key to this business idea is to create software that will provide new features that are highly engageable for your target users. It can either solve a problem and provide a need or give out information and entertainment. This business idea will require coding skills that you can learn through watching courses and even on just YouTube.
11. E-commerce/Dropshipping
People buy a lot of their stuff online. That is now the reality of this world and that will not be changing anytime soon. This means the E-commerce industry will only get bigger from here on and one of the best ways to enter this industry is through dropshipping. This business model has been around for a long time now, but it is still one of the most profitable ventures around.
There will be a lot of competition in this field, especially with how vocal successful dropshippers are on YouTube and TikTok about their business. They have revealed to the world that they have achieved millionaire status through this model, causing a big surge of drop shippers in recent years. Yet, as mentioned it is still worth it, you just have to find ways to stand out from the competition either through your unique product or creative ways of marketing them.
12. Pet Sitting Business
Dog-walking businesses have been mentioned above, and a pet-sitting business can be associated with it, but it will most likely involve different tasks. Pet sitting is usually for pet owners who do not have the time to take care of their animal friends. This business means you get to do it for them, whether it is about just watching how they are doing throughout the day, feeding them regularly, and taking them to the vet.
13. Life Coach
Sometimes we all need a friend who can listen and even give advice during our toughest time. If you are someone who is passionate about helping people by giving guidance on the next steps that they might take to overcome a problem then a life coaching business might be a good idea.
However, this type of business might need some prior accreditation or certification since any advice you give can directly impact a person’s life. So, if you have a background related to this field and you just love coaching people to improve their lives then try this one out.
14. Freelance Writing / Content Creation
Contents creators will be in demand for the next several years because of platforms such as YouTube and Google. Both provide a wide range of audiences for businesses to advertise their products with, and the best way to do this is to create engageable content that the business’s target audience resonates with. You can be a content creator either by using your writing skills or video editing expertise.
15. Social Media Management
For those individuals who are always using their social media accounts and know the ins and outs of these platforms, then a social media management business might be suitable for you. The majority of the population is already using these apps, so naturally, businesses will be attracted to grow their brand on each of these marketing channels.
You don’t have to learn every social media platform, the best way to start is to choose one or two and specialize on that app. If you are adept at creating visual images and editing them then Pinterest can be a good idea. If you know how to get the attention of scrollers to be interested in an article then you can choose Facebook or Twitter.
There will be a lot of choices and you should select according to your strengths and grow your skills from there.
16. Errand Service
Professionals and workers often spend more than 8 hours a day on their jobs. Even most business owners will not have enough time to do their errands and everyday tasks. Running an errand service tailored to these individuals can be a great solopreneur venture. You can do their errands on their behalf such as grocery shopping or even laundry.
17. Drone Photography/Videography Services
Drones are becoming popular as the technology around them evolves. There are now countless business ideas for drone users that you can take advantage of if you have one. The best ones are photography and videography services.
You can shoot wedding photos in extreme environments such as cliffs, on the top of waterfalls, in the desert, and wherever the bride and groom want. You can also shoot aerial videos of real estate and beautiful houses and work with realtors. The limit will be your imagination in this business idea.
18. Language Translation and Cultural Consultancy
The world is more connected than ever, and because of this, the need for language translators and even cultural consultants is increasing. There are a lot of apps and software for language translation but those don’t take into account the country’s culture and tradition. It is still best for a human to be the translator, opening up a great business opportunity for those who know multiple languages, not only grammatically but culturally.
19. Personal Branding Coach
Creating a personal brand is becoming more popular due to its income potential and adoration. Individuals who create their own personal brands become celebrities that the public idolizes. Examples include Iman Gadzhi, David Goggins, and Ali Abdaal.
Those people have created a successful personal brand revolving around their strengths, skills, and experiences. If you have some knowledge of how to create these, then a personal branding coach can be a good solopreneur business idea. This will usually involve choosing a specific platform at first to grow your loyal audience and go from there.
20. Specialized Online Cooking Classes
If you like to cook, there are several avenues you can go about starting a business. But for this one, you have to be an expert in a specific type of cooking. You can teach moms how to bake a cake of their own recipe, or culinary students on how to do their French dishes and more. It will depend on your skill level and interest.
21. Amazon Affiliate Business
Amazon affiliate business is still a good venture, however, keep in mind that your profit will largely depend on Amazon’s policies and their commission rates. So, it is best to diversify your income sources through different affiliate networks such as Clickbank, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate.
For those who are not familiar with the affiliate business model, it is about marketing and promoting a specific product or service to your own audience in your chosen platform. Then the affiliate network you partnered with will share a commission of every sale to you. So, this model will rely on your ability to gather an audience that can resonate with the brands you are working with.
22. Starting a Bakery Business
Everyone loves sweets, and creating them is a work that a single person can do and manage. Starting a bakery business can be a good idea if you are already familiar with how to bake. The next step is learning how to market these sweets. This can involve using social media apps to share images of your tasty cookies or cakes and creating a website where interested customers can order.
23. Selling Digital Courses
Out of every business idea on this list, this could be the most lucrative for solopreneurs. You can create a digital course about your subject of expertise. Make it a masterpiece and put all your knowledge and experience into it. Then sell it for thousands of dollars, you will probably need high-ticket closers and marketers. You can also share bits of knowledge inside it on a social platform of your choice. Examples of successful individuals who sell valuable courses are Seth Godin and Tony Robbins.
Business Ideas for Solopreneurs: Analysis and Comparison
This table summarizes the different solopreneur business ideas discussed above, including the estimated range of potential monthly income that each venture can earn.
| Solopreneur Business Ideas | Short Description | Potential Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Graphic Design | Design images and advertising materials for brands. | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 2. Web Development | Develop websites and offer customizable designs and features. | $3,000 – $10,000+ |
| 3. Virtual Assistant | Be a virtual assistant for high-quality companies and not just small businesses. | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| 4. Event Planning | Plan events such as weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 5. Dog Grooming & Walking | Walk multiple dogs, but only as much as you can handle. | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| 6. Tutoring Business | Tutor any person needing your knowledge and expertise. | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| 7. Copywriting | Create descriptions of products and services of companies. | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 8. Financial Consultancy | Act as a financial consultant for small businesses that need an expert in managing their expenses. | $3,000 – $10,000+ |
| 9. Personal Trainer | Train clients for them to become fit and healthy. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 10. Software Development | Develop software with new and creative features. | $3,000 – $15,000+ |
| 11. E-commerce/Dropshipping | Sell products without needing an inventory. | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
| 12. Pet Sitting Business | Stay with pets and take care of them until the owner comes back. | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| 13. Life Coach | Coach individuals based on your experiences. | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| 14. Freelance Writing / Content Creation | Create content that is insightful and engaging. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 15. Social Media Management | Manage and grow the social media accounts of brands. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 16. Errand Service | Take care of the errands of busy professionals. | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| 17. Drone Photography/Videography Services | Use drones to capture photographs and videos. | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 18. Language Translation and Cultural Consultancy | Translate languages concerning their traditions and culture. | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| 19. Personal Branding Coach | Help individuals develop their personal brands. | $2,500 – $9,000 |
| 20. Specialized Online Cooking Classes | Teach your audience about your cooking style and recipes. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 21. Amazon Affiliate Business | Start an affiliate business with Amazon or other more profitable Affiliate networks. | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| 22. Starting a Bakery Business | Start a bakery and learn how to market it online. | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 23. Selling Digital Courses | Sell your own digital course for high-ticket prices. | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
Author's Final Thoughts
There are countless solopreneur business ideas out there, but this list ensures that every idea can successfully be operated by one person. Being a solopreneur can be hard at times, but the reward will always be worth it, knowing that you have worked for yourself and not some random company that does not care about your well-being. Also, you get to enjoy all the profits of the business, and it gives you a lot more time to spend with your family and on vacation if that’s what you are looking for.
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