3 Types of Solopreneurs. Which One Are You?
What to do when you're feeling stuck.
You've been running your solo business for a while now. Some months feel great — clients are solid, and the work is interesting.
Then suddenly you're scrambling again. You wonder if you should rethink your offer or try a new strategy that you saw another solopreneur mention online.
That “what comes next?” is common. You wonder if you’re doing the right thing. And often, the strategies that got you started aren't the same ones that'll get you to the next level (and it's hard to figure out what to try when you're buried in client work).
The first step is figuring out how you're reacting to the “stuck” feeling. Once you recognize your pattern, you can stop spinning and start building toward something bigger.
Types of solopreneur business models
Before getting into what "stuck" looks like, here’s a quick grounding on the types of solo businesses out there. Even though the types of “stuck” can apply to any solo business owner, you’ll have to apply the fixes to your specific type of work and business model.
- Consultants: You advise clients based on specialized expertise (strategy, marketing, operations, etc.)
- Coaches: You’re working one-on-one or in groups to help clients achieve specific goals
- Service providers: You deliver specific outputs (design, writing, development, bookkeeping)
- Fractional roles: You serving as a part-time or temporary executive (fractional CMO, fractional CFO)
Business models include hourly, project-based work, retainers, or limited-engagement contracts.
Regardless of which category you fall into, the "stuck" patterns below show up across all of them.
3 types of solopreneurs who feel stuck
Most solopreneurs who feel stuck fall into one of two patterns. There's also a third type: the solopreneur who's figured out how to build around these challenges, even if they’re feeling stuck.
Here's what each one looks like.
1. The overworked solopreneur
You're working harder all the time. Every new client means significantly more work because you have no systems in place. You build custom proposals every time and track projects in your head. Every to-do adds to your stress (plus you don’t have a centralized list of to-do items).
You might also be undercharging, which creates a volume trap. Taking on more clients just to hit income goals makes the overwork worse. You never have time to try to make things better — content, outreach, product ideas — because there's no bandwidth left after your client deliverables.
You haven't taken a real vacation in over a year (or ever!) because you don’t feel like you can step away. The business runs, but it runs entirely on you.
2. The “shiny object” solopreneur
You're always ready and eager to start something new. You’re convinced that the “next thing” will help your business. You’re rewriting your website copy every few months, jumping on the latest marketing trend, and signing up for another course that promises to help you.
But you never stay with something long enough to know if it's working.
I’ve been guilty of this throughout running my business. I love tools and automation, so I’m quick to try something new that promises to make my work easier. The problem? Setting up something new takes time, and it might not actually be serving my business.
For the shiny object solopreneur, everything stays in experiment mode. You have no shortage of ideas, but each new thing you try isn’t centered around a core business strategy.
This pattern often shows up as "productive procrastination." You feel productive... but the business isn't moving forward.
3. The sustainable solopreneur
The sustainable solopreneur stays even-keel. They don't panic when revenue dips, because they have systems in place to handle variation without spiraling. They work fewer hours, on their own terms, because business operations are efficient.
They've documented processes for their work, use automation where it makes sense, and know when to bring in outside help. They make decisions based on data and quarterly reviews (instead of gut instinct). They've built a business that supports their life, not the other way around.
If they feel stuck, they take a thoughtful approach to figuring out how to get “unstuck.” They have the space to try new things because they’re not overworked. And they’re patient and thoughtful when trying new things, because everything is linked to a core business strategy.
How to move from stuck to sustainable
The sustainable solopreneur can still get “stuck” in their business, but they don’t stay stuck. They’re not held back by too much work, and they’re focused.
Here are some ways to “get unstuck.”
If you're the overworked solopreneur
If being overworked sounds like you, you need to start thinking about working on your business instead of in it. Working on your business means doing non-client work that helps you move your business forward — and it requires setting time aside for strategy.
And if your processes are mostly manual, automation can help free up the time you need to work on bigger-picture problems.
Start by:
- Listing every task you do in a week
- Identify the ones that are repetitive
- Create templates or set up automation to free up your time
You'll probably be surprised by how much of your time goes to tasks that don't need to be done manually. When you do this, you can create a little pocket of time to start working on your business strategy more regularly.
You can also raise your rates or restructure your pricing. If the only path to your income goal is volume, you’ll always hit a ceiling.
Block time for admin and strategic work, even if it's just one hour a week. Protect it like a client meeting. In the beginning, you’ll use this time to build systems that “buy back” your time and give you more bandwidth. Then you’ll spend that extra time on your overall business strategy.
If you're the shiny object solopreneur
If you're recognizing this in yourself, focusing on business operations improvement can help you prioritize what actually matters instead of constantly pivoting.
- Pick ONE change and commit to it for 90 days. No pivots allowed
- Focus on execution and measurement.
- Collect data at the end of 90 days
Document what’s " not working" before you start. Why do you need to make this change? What are you hoping to accomplish?
Set specific metrics you plan to measure at the end of 90 days, so you're not relying on feelings to decide whether something is successful. When the urge to pivot hits at week three, tell yourself you must wait until the end of 90 days. Add any new ideas to a list to work on next quarter.
Anna Burgess Yang
Building toward sustainable
The goal is to get from the overworked or shiny object pattern to sustainable. You have systems that run without requiring your constant attention. And you have the discipline and bandwidth to know what to try next. If the thing you try doesn’t work out? You’re secure enough that it doesn’t cause revenue panic.
Revisit quarterly to make sure you’re not falling into patterns of overwork or shiny objects. Ask yourself:
- What's still manual that shouldn't be?
- What's working? What needs to change?
- How do these changes serve my business as a whole?
The sustainable solopreneurs didn't build everything at once. They build one thing at a time, test it, and move on to the next. They have the energy and confidence to try new things.
Your solopreneur toolkit ⚙️
These tools can give you the foundation you need to go from “overwhelmed” to “I’ve got this.”
- A project management tool: Organize your client projects in a place where you can keep track of deliverables and deadlines. (I use Trello)
- A scheduling tool: Stop the back-and-forth with clients for booking meetings. (I use Calendly)
- An automation platform: Connect your apps so tasks don’t need your constant attention. (I use Zapier and run about 1,500 automated tasks per month)
- A notes or documentation tool: Store SOPs, ideas, and reference material so you're not reinventing processes every time. (I use Notion for this)
- A content scheduling tool: If content is part of your marketing, batch and schedule instead of posting in real-time. (I use Buffer [affiliate link] and love it)
Give yourself time to change
Getting from overworked or shiny object to sustainable doesn't happen overnight. If you've been running your business one way for years, changing those patterns takes real effort… and patience.
This is especially true if you're coming from a corporate background. Corporate habits — like saying yes to everything or equating busyness with productivity — are deeply ingrained. Breaking those patterns in a solo business context takes a lot of unlearning.
The solopreneurs who build truly sustainable businesses are the ones who commit to small, consistent changes.
Start with one fix. Give it 90 days. Then keep going.
Want to build a life-first business?
These reflections will help you determine your priorities.
FAQs
What are the different types of solopreneurs?
Solopreneurs typically fall into categories like consultants, coaches, service providers (designers, writers, developers), and fractional executives. Business models include hourly rates, project-based work, retainers, and limited engagements.
How do I know if I'm stuck in my solo business?
There are a few common signs: you're constantly switching strategies without giving any of them enough time to work, or you're working more hours than ever but not seeing results. Both indicate a systems problem, not an effort problem.
How do solopreneurs avoid burnout?
Build systems for repetitive tasks, set boundaries around working hours, and block off dedicated time for strategic thinking. The solopreneurs who avoid burnout have operational structures in place, rather than relying on memory or gut instinct.
When should a solopreneur start building business systems?
Build systems as early as possible. Even simple systems, like a client onboarding template, an invoicing process, or a content calendar, reduce cognitive load. Start with what solves your biggest pain point.
