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

Are you starting to smile, 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, I felt inspired. For instance, it 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:

Solopreneur Definition and Associations

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, graphic designers, etc.

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

• All alone.
• Money-driven.
• Boring and uninspired.
• Wearing all the hats.
• Spinning in circles.
• Overwhelm.
• Scarcity thinking.
• Worried about competition.
• No time to rest or have fun.
• High risk of burnout.
• Always something to fix.
• Swimming upstream.

SOULpreneur Definition and Associations

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:

• Aligned with both my heart and my wallet. A yin/yang balance.
• Work as an expression of my true purpose.
• Connected to something bigger and meaningful.
• Inspiration starts from the heart, or from soul guidance (or a wise inner compass).
• Easily connecting to kindred spirits in a collaborative way.
• So-called “competitors” are seen as niche-mates to connect with and enjoy.
• Trusting that rest and mindfulness are important to my life and my work.
• Trusting in the natural abundance of the Universe.
• There’s nothing to fix. It’s about allowing a natural flow.
• 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, and actually, one could run a spiritual business in a non-caring way. So I’m talking about the whole way of doing business with this word, SOULpreneur, not just what is the product. Make sense?

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 lifeless mode to the SOULpreneur energy of connectedness, ease, fulfillment, and sustainability?

It starts with just knowing there’s another way and starting to envision yourself there. Lean towards that image with faith, going step by step to see what happens.

Here are 4 ways to help support you in making it work, from mindset to action and results:

1. I teach this approach in my self-employment intro course for introverts and HSPs, Bridge to Self-employment.
2. I host a group for SOULpreneurs to support you in staying on this easeful approach.
3. I host a group for Self-employment Career Explorers (for those considering or moving towards self-employment).
4. I also share more with my newsletter community: 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.