There is a lot of practical support out there for people considering starting their own solopreneur business. Some of it is free or at very low cost, and I realize money can be tight at the beginning. Below are some good starting places for practical support available across the U.S.A.
I am mostly focused on self-employed service professionals (sometimes called “solopreneurs”), such as health care practitioners, coaches, consultants, trainers. However, much of the resources below will apply to a larger range of new businesses too.
Inspiration and Tips for Starters
Before you start thinking about all the practical steps, which can seem overwhelming, I encourage you to get inspired and learn that you can do this. Some good resources I’ve created for inspiring starting places:
- Can Introverts Be Entrepreneurs? I didn’t think so, until I did it anyway. {audio}
- Self-employment for Introverts: Business Ideas and Tips
- The Self-Employment Leap of Faith
- Is There Room for My Business in Today’s Market?
- Finding Remote Work and Flexible Work Options
- Self-employment Intro Course: Can I Leave My 9-5?
Free Business Counselors for Logistics Guidance
Try not to get panicked as you start reading about all the logistical things to think about.
Sit down with someone knowledgeable (such as a free business counselor available at all the below links) and get help navigating. It’s not that hard once you have support. These services focus on the logistics of business.
- Find your local Small Business Development Center – free business counseling and low-cost trainings
- SCORE – free small business advice and resources from volunteer retired executives
- Minority Business Development Centers
For clarity, these services are designed to help with the practical side (e.g., understanding business plans, taxes, and loans).
They are not designed to help you clarify your calling, or address the fears or personal concerns about starting a business. That’s where a business coach or solopreneur support group comes in. Both parts are important for success.
Other Business Logistics Resources
- Best Self-Study Programs for Heart-centered Businesses
- Self-employment Logistics for Solo Service Professionals – an overview and how it worked for me.
- Self-employment Status Info and Logistics from the IRS (USA)
- Legal Tips and Templates for Self-employed from NOLO
Need Clarity + Fear-Busting, Stress-Busting Support?
Check out:
- Self-employment Intro Course (safe ways to take the self-employment leap)
- Business coaching for introverts and HSPs
- Business support groups for introverts and HSPs
- Roadmap to Your Career Sweet Spot (free mini-course)
Naming a Business
Naming your business is NOT one of the first steps even though you are probably trying to name it now anyway. There is too much to consider before you name it.
You want clarity of your key audience, how they describe their concerns, what you’re offering, what are your values, etc., before you name it. (That’s what a business coach can help you with.)
Naming hint: For service-based solopreneurs like coaches, you can just start with your name. You can always change it and you might not need to.
Good Business Startup Books
- Principles of Authentic Business (for solopreneurs or exploring it) by George Kao, 2019
- $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, book by Chris Guillebeau
- More recommended books on business, career, etc., are here.
