Solopreneur: why the figure of the solitary entrepreneur emerges

In recent years there has been increasing talk of solopreneur-a new professional figure that has exploded in popularity since the recent Covid pandemic and allows anyone who wishes to do so to become the proverbial “boss of himself.”

But what does this profession really encompass? How is it different from that of a freelancer or entrepreneur, and more importantly, why do more and more people want to become solopreneurs? Below you will find the answer to these and other questions.

Solopreneur, entrepreneur or freelancer

The word “solopreneur” originated in America from the union of “solo” and “entrepreneur,” meaning “entrepreneur” in English, and is used to define professionals who decide to pursue a solo career in their field of specialization.

Reading this definition, it becomes clear how similar it is to the one that describes two other popular professions: the entrepreneur and the freelancer. What are the differences? First of all, entrepreneurs often open a business with the future goal of increasing its size and then hiring staff and, why not, perhaps managers and executives. The solopreneur, on the other hand, starts his business with the idea of working alone and concentrating all business efforts and activities in his own person; from the moment he hires someone, he becomes an entrepreneur.

Same goes for freelancers who differ from solopreneurs primarily in the ways they offer their services. The former, in fact, work on a project, finish it, and then have to look for other projects to work on. The activity of the latter, on the other hand, is related to continuous and long-lasting collaboration with their clients

Solopreneurs can operate in a wide variety of fields: from teaching to offering design and website creation services, they can be personal trainers or virtual assistants, open a coffee shop or sell clothing online on a proprietary site.

Why does one become a Solopreneur?

But what are the reasons for the incredible rise in popularity of this profession? Actually, there are many, but they are all related to one aspect: taking charge of one’s life.

The solopreneur does everything by himself, does not receive orders from superiors, does not need to compare with partners, and does not have to manage (or redo) the work of his employees. He is not tied to any physical location: if he wants he can rent a space and work in the office, or from home or even at the beach or on vacation. The solopreneur has no hours or vacations; he works as, when, and as much as he wants.

In short, as you probably understood, the key word is “freedom.”

Disadvantages

It might seem that the work of a solopreneur is all about roses and flowers, but that is definitely not the case. The autonomy that is gained by pursuing this profession is paid for dearly.

A solopreneur does not receive a salary: all of his income depends solely and directly on the time he decides to invest in his work. Work that, as opposed to clerks, managers, laborers and many other professions, involves many different tasks ranging from accounting to marketing one’s products or services.

Another aspect to consider is that related to the stress and mental health of individuals who must prove themselves fit to pursue such a career.

How to become a Solopreneur

Choosing to become a solopreneur is an important step that affects not only an individual’s career, but his or her entire life. Consequently, it must be approached with seriousness and preparation.

First, you need to make sure that there is demand for the product or service you want to offer; if not, it is essential to invest time in training (including online) to acquire the skills needed to carry on a self-employed business.

Then, it is essential to create a business plan (or enlist the help of Millionairejob to get one tailored to your needs) in which the goals and how to achieve them, the target audience, the competitors, and the marketing strategy to be followed must be specified.

The work of the solopreneur is demanding and undoubtedly requires great investment in terms of time and preparation.

Nonetheless, more and more professionals in Italy and around the world are choosing to move away from the traditional “fixed position” and take up this career that provides them with flexibility, mobility and, above all, the possibility of being masters of their working lives.

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