According to a 2016 report by Forbes, freelancers make up 35% of the U.S. workforce. This is due in part to advancements in technology that have made it easier for people to work remotely and independently, as well as a growing demand for a balance between work and life for freelancers. The Covid-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst in this process, and since then the amount of employees transitioning to freelance work has been skyrocketing.

Why Become a Solopreneur?

One of the biggest advantages of getting started as a solopreneur is the ability to control your own work-life balance. When you’re your own boss, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule which can lead to a better balance between work and personal time. This can be especially appealing to people who have family obligations, or who simply want to have more control over their time.

Another advantage of being a solopreneur is the ability to choose the types of projects and clients you work with. Being able to choose to focus on the type of work that one enjoys and that aligns with one’s skills and interests gives solopreneur’s a freedom that most of us can only dream of. Additionally, solopreneur’s have the freedom to select clients whose values and working style align with their own.

What Challenges Do Solopreneurs Face?

Of course, being a freelancer or solopreneur also comes with its own set of challenges, including the need to manage your own finances, build your own professional network, and create your own work infrastructure. It may also be difficult to find stable, ongoing work, though with an increasing demand from customers and clients for freelance trainers, mentors and coaches, this is becoming less of an issue.

The Benefits

Freelancing and solopreneurship can also offer a chance for personal growth. When you’re working independently, you have the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and learn new skills. This can be a great way to advance your skill set and gain valuable experience. It also provides an opportunity to take risks, to be more flexible and responsive to the market demands and to apply new strategies to your business, thus allowing you to grow faster than a traditional business.

Another benefit of solopreneurship is the opportunity to build your own personal brand. When you’re a freelancer, you are in charge of promoting your own services, skills and value, which can help you to establish yourself as an expert or professional in your field. By creating a personal brand, you can differentiate yourself from other freelancers and attract more clients at a higher rate.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges of the last few years, 2023 is a great time to start your freelancing or solopreneur business. The freelancer market has become more established and self-regulating, making it a great time to get started with your own solo venture. It is also worth mentioning that technology is constantly advancing and the tools and services in a solopreneur’s arsenal are only going to get better and more innovative.

EZwhale is a platform that can help those who are just getting started, as well as the more veteran, established solopreneur. Those who sign-up on our ‘Starter’ tier will have access to our community board to post their services for sale, as well as our live video-to–video conferencing tool, secure and reliable payment and billing system, booking system and customer session scheduling management. If that isn’t enough for you, we are also offering a free two month trial for our 'Enterpriser' tier, giving you access to more powerful tools. Click here to learn more.