7 Truths About Running a Solo Business

Running a solo business looks glamorous from the outside. You're your own boss. You set your own hours. You answer to no one. (And you don't have to manage people!)

But the reality is more complex — and certainly less glamarous — than social media would have you believe. After years of solopreneurship, I've learned some truths that are often glossed over online. These aren't complaints, but they're just reality for most solo business owners.

1. Revenue is not the same as take-home pay

People ask, "How's business?" and expect a number. But the number doesn't tell the whole story.

You can invoice $20,000 in a month and take home far less. Taxes eat a chunk. Software subscriptions add up. If you hire contractors to help with overflow work, that's another expense. A big month shrinks fast once you account for the actual cost of running your business.

Plus, sometimes your revenue is really irregular. You invoice for a big project upfront, and that's expected to carry you for the next three months.

Be really skeptical of solopreneurs sharing their revenue numbers online. It's good to have a barometer of what other people are charging. But keep in mind that they might not be earning as much as you think.

2. Tools are worth the cost

From my early days of running a solo business, I was willing to pay for software. Even when I wasn't earning very much, I would add another $20 subscription if it saved me time or made me more efficient.

The trade-off was worth it, in my opinion. I was buying back time in my day. I don't have colleagues who can help with my workload.

The math becomes obvious when you calculate what your time is actually worth. If a $20/month tool saves you an hour and you earn more than $20/hour, the tool is worth it.

3. You need a website

Don't let anyone tell you that a social media presence is enough — even if you have a large following. Algorithms can change in a heartbeat.

A website is a piece of digital real estate you can control. It's where people can find you when they search your name. It's where you offer a first impression: showcasing your work, collecting email addresses for a newsletter, and offering ways for people to get in touch.

And no, a Linktree doesn't count. You need a website on your domain, to build domain authority for your site when you share it (which matters for Google and search). A website from Carrd, [affiliate link] for example, is simple to set up and costs $19/year.

4. You can build a business without any outbound

I've never relied on cold pitches. To be honest, cold pitching makes me uncomfortable. I hate receiving cold pitches, so I couldn't imagine sending them.

All of my work is either inbound or referral. But I started showing up online (LinkedIn) long before I formed my solo business. I'm also an active participant in a lot of communities. After a while, people started to recognize my name.

That's years of compounded effort. The work you do today, even when it feels like no one is paying attention, is what creates opportunities later. You don't have to chase clients if you've spent years giving them reasons to come to you. But you do have to be patient, and you have to keep showing up.

5. The loneliness is real

If you've always worked with colleagues, starting a solo business can be really unsettling at first. There's no one to riff with when you have a half-baked idea. No one to blame when something goes wrong. No one to celebrate the small wins.

I've been a remote worker for most of my career, but my coworkers were just a DM away. Being a solopreneur is a new level of "working alone."

Finding community helps. Whether that's a mastermind group, a Slack community, or just a few solopreneur friends you text regularly, having people who understand the work makes a difference.

6. Set up your systems early

You don't need to have everything mapped out before you start. You encounter a problem, you solve it, you move on.

When I first launched my business as a freelance fintech writer, I was willing to take any type of client. Over the years, I've refined my offers and messaging a lot. I've also changed how I structure my agreements.

But here's one thing to keep in mind: don't wait too long to build systems. When you realize you need a process for onboarding clients, build it. When your finances start feeling chaotic, get a system for reviewing and tracking your expenses.

"Figure it out later" doesn't work with systems because you'll find yourself buried in operational debt that takes twice as long to fix.

7. Shiny object syndrome is a huge distraction

Even when things are going well, it's hard to sit still. There's always another idea. Another project. Another revenue stream to chase. Another platform to try.

I struggle with this constantly. The same curiosity that drove you to start your own business can also pull you in too many directions at once. You end up with five half-finished projects instead of one thing that actually works.

If you have an idea, store it somewhere. Don't start working on it immediately. Make sure you have time to think it through and plan first. I have a whole Trello board of ideas to revisit later, when I have the space to assess whether it makes sense for my business.

Deep Work to Drive Progress in Your Solo Business

Set aside time to work on your business strategy.

Anna Burgess YangAnna Burgess Yang

The freedom is worth it

Some parts of running a solo business are very hard, or even frustrating. And I'd still choose this path every time.

I get to decide when my workday ends. I work with people I actually like. I can take a Tuesday afternoon off without asking permission. And best of all: I can build something that's mine.

The freedom to design your life around your work, instead of the other way around, is worth the effort.

Want to build a life-first business?
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