You’ve probably heard the word solopreneur (defined as a one-person business). But does the word inspire you? To me and many others, solopreneur can feel… lonely, lifeless, and businessy in a negative sense. Now compare it to how you feel with the word SOULpreneur.

Are you starting to relax, or at least feel intrigued, even before knowing the meaning? (I’ll give you a definition below.)

When I switched to seeing myself as a SOULpreneur (in short, a heart-centered solopreneur), I felt more inspired. As an introvert and highly sensitive person (HSP), I feel more at home with the word SOULpreneur.

Saying SOULpreneur reminds me to let creative inspiration come from a deeper soulful or heart-centered place. Not just from an income-need place. And things work so much better from this angle, for my happiness and my wallet.

To give you a closer look into what I mean, here are my associations that can naturally arise with each word, and this seems to be true for many people when I share these words.

Check to see if you’re in Solopreneur mode or the happier SOULpreneur mode with 10 signs of each one:

Solopreneur Definition and Signs

Simply put, a solopreneur refers to someone starting or running a one-person business. There are no employees, just the owner. This is a common business type for self-employed coaches, consultants, healing arts professionals, designers, etc.

These associations are how “solopreneur” can sound in our minds and hearts, and how I thought it would have to be:

1. Money-centric. Heart takes a back seat.
2. Boring and uninspired.
3. All alone.
4. Spinning in circles.
5. Wearing all the hats.
6. Worried about competition.
7. Overwhelm. No time to rest or have fun. High risk of burnout.
8. Scarcity thinking.
9. Always something to fix, especially fixing oneself.
10. Swimming upstream.

SOULpreneur Definition and Signs

A SOULpreneur, on the other hand, is also starting or running a one-person business, and is additionally bringing a heart-centered mindset to how they do business, from self-care to how they attract and serve clients.

When I wear my hat of SOULpreneur, it leads to these feelings and actions, which feels so much better now:

1. Aligned with both my heart and my wallet. A yin/yang balance.
2. Work as an expression of my true purpose.
3. Connected to something bigger and meaningful.
4. Inspiration starts from the heart, or from soul guidance (or a wise inner compass).
5. Easily connecting to kindred spirits in a collaborative way.
6. So-called “competitors” are seen as niche-mates to connect with and enjoy.
7. Trusting that rest and mindfulness are important to my life and my work.
8. Trusting in the natural abundance of the Universe.
9. There’s nothing to fix. It’s about allowing a natural flow.
10. Swimming downstream.

Oh, just reading that list again feels good to me, and helps me connect in with that flow and joy.

By the way, SOULpreneur doesn’t just refer to an explicit spiritual focus for your business. Actually, one could run a “spiritual” business in a non-caring way.

What I’m talking about here is the whole way of doing business from the heart. 

SOULpreneur Essence

This is the image I drew when thinking of SOULpreneur energy:

In the early days of my business, I was amazed at what a soulful journey it was.

It has been one of the most growthful and joyful things I’ve ever done. Not always easy, but all worth it. The most joyful paths are not the easiest ones, but the ones where we took on a challenge that led us to stand taller.

Making the Switch to SOULpreneur

Are you wanting to switch from the solopreneur heavy energy to the SOULpreneur energy of connectedness, ease, fulfillment, and sustainability?

One of the best things I did for that was to be around other heart-centered self-employed people, what I now call SOULpreneurs. I was part of a group, and I still am, to stay on my most aligned path.

You can start with just knowing there’s another way and starting to envision yourself there. Lean towards that image with faith, and do more of what helps you stay in that place. I believe you’ll feel a difference in your body and your wallet.

3 ways to help support you in making it work, from mindset to action and results:

1. If considering self-employment:
   Self-employment Intro Course for Introverts and HSPs.
2. If already self-employed:
   Group for SOULpreneurs.
3. For any stage:
   Get my best content with my newsletter: Self-employment INsights.

A hallmark of a SOULpreneur is not staying in that lonely place with it all.

I’d love to hear from you with any insights, comments, or questions.