I’m sharing the top concerns of highly sensitive people (HSPs) and introverts about self-employment, so you’ll know you’re not alone, and to help address them. Today’s post is especially about challenges when considering or new to self-employment.

You might also like my other list about once they’re in business:
12 Most Common Challenges Introverted and HSP Business Owners Face

I’ve gathered these challenges from asking HSPs and introverts, from the questions I receive, and from what arises most often in my business coaching and business groups for introverts and HSPs.

Top 10 Challenges for Introverts and HSPs About Starting a Business

These are the worries I most often hear. Many people don’t get past these thoughts, because they don’t investigate further to find how they could get past these. These don’t have to be as hard as they sound.

1. What if I’m risk averse or full of fear?
2. Will I still be able to have a life? Doesn’t self-employment require a lot of energy?
3. How do people go from stable income to the unpredictability of self-employment?
4. I don’t know enough about business and logistics to do this.
5. Could self-employment even work for me as an introvert and HSP?
6. What about money to live on before it’s working?
7. How will I get steady clients? (Is it a pushy social media game?)
8. How do I find the energy for it all during a transition?
9. What do I focus on first?
10. How do I know what’s the right business for me?

As you can see, that’s a LOT of questions, big and important questions actually. The answers are not brief but there are answers! I linked to a few ideas in the list above, and I have more ideas below.

I’m sure there are variations on worries in your own mind. I would love to hear yours in the comments below.

Getting Some Answers and Stress Relief

There are answers to those concerns above. To be sure, introverts and HSPs can be great at business and marketing. We have our challenges and we have strengths, like anyone.

Self-employment is not for everyone, but I find that it’s not about whether you’re introverted or highly sensitive that makes the difference. Factors that do matter: open to learning, able and willing to keep taking small steps, and staying open to support along the way.

I love that I get to help with all these concerns in my business coaching and groups, and they do have to be addressed in order to move forward. I often longed to help more people find their way  to break free into self-employment because it’s been one of the most joyful parts of my life and I see it is for others too.

Then it came clear to me that I could help many more people if I addressed these challenges in a simple affordable online course. I address all of those above concerns, and more, in this course that has both self-study and live group call options:
“Could I Leave My 9-5?” – Self-employment Course for Introverts and HSPs.

The people that take the course tell me they feel a lot of stress relief and a sense of sprouting wings for new possibilities.

Case Study: Tracie Facing the Early Challenges

Tracie has launched her awesome new business: FitKidemics

In her sharing in the video, Tracie mentioned taking both of these courses that I offer:

1. Career Clarity Course
   This one helped her choose a direction that would fit her strengths and values. It also helped her discover her purpose, her big “Why,” which she said is helping her to stay motivated for her business.
2. “Could I Leave My 9-5?” – Self-employment Course for Introverts and HSPs.
   This one helped her find that entrepreneurial mindset she talked about, and the steps, or “blueprint” for making this doable.

I’m so excited for Tracie. And I’m excited for you starting to explore these questions too. You’re welcome to ask questions in the comments below. I love it.