Small and Mighty: The Joy of Being a Solopreneur
Small and Mighty: The Joy of Being a Solopreneur
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
My Solopreneur Journey
I didn’t start my business to become a big boss or run a team. In fact, the last thing I wanted was to manage people! After coming out of a job where I had to pretend to like my colleagues, the idea of working solo was super freeing. No office politics, no drama, no one else’s paycheck on my mind—just me, doing my thing.
At first, I barely had enough to feed myself, so hiring someone else was out of the question. But over time, I realized I didn’t want to hire anyone. I liked being on my own! Then I came across Company of One by Paul Jarvis, which felt like a big, warm confirmation: I didn’t have to chase growth or constantly scale. Why not be content with where I am? After all, the reason I started my business was to slow down, especially after my health scare.
So, here’s why I’ve chosen to stay solo, despite all the noise about getting bigger and “more successful.”
The Freedom of Staying Small
Company of One really nailed something I’d been thinking about for a while: why do we feel the need to keep growing and working harder? So many entrepreneurs end up trapped in the very businesses they created for freedom. Like my friend Yu Xuan—she just wants to make enough money to spend her days drawing, not managing people or chasing profits. And Jacinda, who’s working on her passive income so she can be a stay-at-home mom in two years time. Neither of them is focused on “scaling,” and neither am I.
For me, staying small means I can actually enjoy my business. I don’t need to chase more just because it’s there. Sure, sometimes the thought of “what if I run out of money?” creeps in, but I’ve learned that it’s more about knowing my finances and being clear on what I want.
Lessons from a Failed Hire
I’ve tried hiring—it didn’t go well. I put in all this effort to train someone, paid them in advance, let them set their own deadlines, and then… poof! They ghosted me. Eventually, they came back and told me they got lazy. LOL. After that, I thought, “Maybe I’m better off doing things myself.” I know I need to work on delegation, but for now, I’m good with not being responsible for someone else’s paycheck.
I love the freedom of taking time off when I want, connecting directly with my clients, and keeping things simple. Being solo has its perks!
Reimagining Growth
Instead of growing for the sake of it, I’ve been thinking about how I can make my work easier for me. Building my business in a way that works when I’m not working is way more appealing than managing a team. I’ve found that partnering with other solopreneurs—hiring a copywriter or a social media expert when needed—is a great alternative to hiring in-house. That way, I get the expertise I need without the headache of managing someone full-time.
Contentment Over Constant Growth
In the end, I’ve realized that I’m happiest as a solopreneur. I don’t need a huge business to feel successful. What I do need is the freedom to take care of my health, enjoy my work, and have time for life outside of it.
So, here’s the big question: Do you have the courage to turn down more money and say, “That’s enough for now”? I’ve learned that success isn’t about chasing endless growth—it’s about knowing what truly matters and being okay with enough.