The Myths of Being a Solopreneur (and the truth about the climb)

Entrepreneurship looks shiny from the outside. Independence, flexibility, success on your own terms. But the truth of solopreneurship is far less glamorous. It is not an overnight success story. It is a climb that demands stamina, sacrifice, and grit.

Here are some of the biggest myths I have encountered on this journey, and the realities that matter if you want to go the course.

Myth 1: Success comes quickly.
Reality: Success is rarely overnight. That belongs in the movies. In real life, it takes years of doing the reps, often two or more, before stability and profitability take hold. Many people are not willing to stay in the game that long, but the climb demands persistence.

Myth 2: You are your own boss.
Reality: You answer to everyone. Clients, prospects, and partners all set expectations and timelines. Yes, you make the big calls, but accountability rests squarely on your shoulders. You are the hand to shake and the throat to choke.

Myth 3: You get freedom over your time.
Reality: The hours are long. When others close their laptops at five, you are opening yours again on the sofa, diving into strategy, content, and communication. The freedom exists, but it comes with personal sacrifices that not everyone is willing to make.

Myth 4: It is glamorous.
Reality: It is gritty. You wear every hat: CEO, CFO, CMO, executive assistant, project manager, and more. There is no delegation. Every detail matters, and every outcome rests with you.

Myth 5: It is inexpensive.
Reality: Costs add up. Productivity tools like Microsoft 365, scheduling platforms like Calendly, video calls on Zoom, professional insurance, websites, and marketing spend are not optional. Careful management is as important as growth.

Myth 6: You do it alone.
Reality: You cannot survive that way. Solopreneurship still requires leaning on mentors, peers, advisors, and supportive family and friends. You need to ask for help, outsource when you can, and surround yourself with people who believe in what you are building.

Myth 7: Hard work guarantees success.
Reality: Grit matters, but there are no guarantees. Sometimes you work for free just to get in the door. Sometimes you take less pay now for a future opportunity. Sometimes you fail outright. That is not weakness. That is tuition for the path you chose.

The truth is, solopreneurship is not for everyone. It takes personal sacrifices that many are not willing to make, and the risk is real. But when you feel like you are building something, every little win is a big win. The journey is both exciting and scary. And at the end of the day, you are it.

What makes it worthwhile is vision. When you have a powerful vision and you are inspired by what you do, it matters. Being able to articulate that vision helps you sell, helps others believe, and helps you stay the course. Through the late nights, the weekends of planning, the hours of travel, even the quiet hotel rooms, it adds up. Over time, you start to see progress. You feel it.

When the work has meaning and impact, it keeps the flame alive. Knowing you are moving the needle, shaping outcomes, and influencing organizations in ways that matter deeply is what sustains the climb.

If you are on this journey, you do not have to walk it alone. I am here to support, to listen, and to help you find your footing when the climb feels steep.

No one is carried up the mountain. But some are tethered for support. And in those moments, it’s the encouragement, the belief that it's been done before, and can be done again, that gives you the strength to keep going.

You pause to catch your breath, to scan the horizon, and you realize: this climb is yours. Your pace. Your path. Your purpose.

The air may be thin at the top, but the view is spectacular.  So, keep going!