Premise: The Solopreneur Is Not A Business Person

I read somewhere that The Solopreneur, the freelancer, the consultant, the artist, really isn't a business person.

If you work solo then you don't own a business, you own a job, and it doesn't really count.

Kind of makes you feel small and unimportant doesn't it? No wonder creative people feel marginalised when it comes to business.

In order to qualify as a bonafide business person you've got to have layers and structure of people carrying out tasks and fulfilling responsibilities.

You've got to have at least one subordinate that you can assign a role and trust to carry out the work of the business on your behalf when you're not around.

Real businesses have more than one person, so if you're an artist or creative and you work alone then tough shit, you're on the outside.

OK, got that?

Hmmm. I tried to find the particular article in question but I just couldn't put my hand on it. However, this idea is common and you've likely heard it before.

In regards to that sentiment I'll be very blunt here in my response…

It's bullshit.

To Firstly Address The Solopreneur False Premise

The idea that the solo entrepreneur (the solopreneur) doesn't own a real business is such nonsense. It's not even worth getting annoyed about.

It's just plain stupid.

I agree a business has got to live and survive in your absence, however that doesn't mean you need people to make that happen.

Erm… Technology. Ever hear of it?

It's this this wonderful thing you see. It helps people like you and me automate the many functions of business so we don't have to get our hands dirty.

1. Technology Is The Best Friend The Solopreneur

As mentioned above, technology and your willingness to embrace it, is the one thing that will stand you apart from simply getting by. Without technology, whether your business is virtual or bricks and mortar, you'll spend way too much time on things that don't produce for you.

Spend time making your stuff, sure, but don't spend tons of time doing admin and non creative stuff. If you do, eventually you may lose the thrill and give up.

2. Marketing Is Easy With Freelancers

Use freelancers to get shit done. You'll need to put time aside every week, say one day, to get admin stuff done like issuing invoices, promoting your work online through social media etc.

Like I said above, you don't want to get dragged into admin duties that take over your head space because your creative side will suffer. However, this stuff is important too so you'll need a plan.

Ask friends, tutors, fellow artists how they get this stuff done. Get tips from experienced full timers. The experienced people know easy ways to deal with things they don't like doing.

So ask them.

3. You Get To Choose Your Own Working Hours

When you work for yourself you get to choose when you work. No longer do you need to stick to someone else's schedule, you set your own.

However that doesn't mean that you should be unstructured in your work. Be sure to keep a calendar and specific times when you work. This will help you keep organised and efficient.

You're goin pro, time to up your game.

4. Bosses Don't Care About You

Bosses of organisations don't give a flying feck about you, they care about themselves and how they appear to others. Everything they do they do for their own ends.

So, getting away from these people who only want you to follow their rules is imperative. In fact, their rules are not their rules at all. They are second or third hand.

Setting up your own gig you get to graciously present the middle finger to all that rubbish.

5. Companies Don't Care About You

As above. The companies we work for are a product of the people running them primarily. The ethos and fundamental principles then are transferred through the organisation.

They don't have much concern for the people they employ, other than the statutory requirements under employment law and they intent to get the “best” out of us.

The “best” invariably means productivity, because time (used efficiently) = money and profits = happy shareholders. There are exceptions but not too many.

6. You'll Grow As A Person

When you start your own thing you have to learn fast, it's vital. In doing so you become more as a person. Starting your own thing, becoming the solopreneur, doesn't mean you get it handy.

On the contrary, it's a tough process. Every expansion of self is a tough process, but it brings with it huge growth in awareness and increased emotional skill set.

7. Your Potential To Make Money Increases

The solopreneur has financial opportunities that far exceed the ordinary rank and file worker. As an employee you trade time for money. As a business owner that can change.

I say “can” because when you start your own business you've got to shift your mindset. An employee mindset and a screwed up idea about money can leave you broke as a pie crust.

So learn how to charge for your work.

8. You Get To Set Your Own Rules

This is perhaps the best part of working for yourself. You get to set your own rules. It was 2001 when I broke out on my own and I can still remember the feeling of freedom.

However, you've got to be careful here because what starts as enthusiasm can die pretty quickly if you lose your focus. Working for money will kill your creativity and starve you of time.

Stay true to your initial inspiration, and as broken down in The Artist's Manifesto, always create with integrity and passion for your craft.

9. You'll Get More Free Time (Eventually)

I'll be honest with you. Initially you'll pour endless hours into preparation and setup, but it's worth it. Like I said before, you need to be careful that you don't end up losing focus and spending too much time on fruitless tasks.

However, if you invest your energy and passion into creating the best product you possibly can then I've no doubt you'll get exactly what you're after.

Besides, if you're doing what you love, that's the result you want right there – you've already made it.

10. Your Level of Expertise Will Increase

You'll have no choice but to expand in every aspect of your life when you work for yourself. You'll gain skills in so many areas, not least in the skill that prompted you to jump to begin with.

As you develop your business, no matter how small, you'll find the time you spend creating your thing increases and you'll develop increased expertise.

Be prepared to go from skilled to highly skilled to expert. And if you're really committed you'll eventually make a master.

11. When You Do What You Love It's Not Work

Yeah, you've heard this before; do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life. It makes sense but many of us are caught in this idea of trading time for money.

That's a trap. If we can't break that notion then most of our effort in building a business around our art will falter.

Alan Watts says;

12. You Can Work From Anywhere

Ok so this one doesn't apply if you work from a studio or you run a coffee shop or something. However, if your create your things and digitise them, turn them into books and videos and pictures, you can sell them online.

If you own a coffee shop you could create a coffee table book of beautiful things. collaborate with artists and make something unique.

Sell it online and everyone gets a cut. (I've just given myself an idea!)

13. Company Tax Is More Favourable To Your Pocket

Nice one this… The tax man gets less of what you make. You get to include many things as expenses to the company you formed and less goes out of your pocket.

Don't be fooled into thinking a sole trader company formation is ok for you. As you grow you'll make more and as a sole trader you'll get nailed for tax in every bloody penny.

14. You'll Make A Difference In People's Lives

Making stuff for the sake of making it, with integrity and passion is the reason we are here. Making money comes off the back of that.

When we make things that we love and put our heart into it, others can't help but be impressed by it. They want to be a part of it, they want a piece of it.

This is what makes a difference in the world. We don't need to go off on some elaborate journey to save the world, all we need to do is make stuff.

This allowing ourselves to follow the small voice is explained in The Artist's Manifesto and is what makes the world a better place. It makes a universe of difference in the lives of people.

15. You'll Be Building An Asset

Every day we go to the creative place we are building it. The more consistent we can become the better the result we will produce.

It can be difficult, because for a long time it might seem that we are going nowhere, even backwards. Regardless we've got to trust it.

If we doubt it we kill it. Stick to what you know is inherently good, and keep making it. Then one day when you're not looking…

BAM!

16. You Get To Make Something Great

Everything I've outlined above cumulates in the creation of something great. It's not like you've got to wait 20 years for it though. Like I said, if you're doing what you love you've already made it.

Seeing the smile on someone's face because of what you made is no better reward. It's like you're both co-operative components in the thing.

You get an idea, you make it, it makes someone smile, it makes you smile, you make more of it. It's an ever increasing circle of creativity.

Your Shit Your Way

The solo entrepreneurial life is not for everyone. However, if your reason to create your thing is driving you forward you'll have no choice.

You simply have to follow it.

If you're an artist or other creative type person then you will need to embrace to positive aspects of business. Unless that is you are fortunate enough to have a business manager who can do all of that for you.

The downside to trusting someone completely to manage your business is that you could get burned.

So whether you do it all yourself or you hire someone to do it for you, either way you'll need to know your shit when it comes to the business side of your creative endeavour.

The main thing to remember here is; if you want to make a career from your art then first you must make it and then you must market and sell it.

Get to grips with this and understand that business is not your enemy and you'll do alright.

Get on fire for it all and you'll do better than alright.