Entrepreneurship is rarely a process undertaken by a sole individual.

Behind most great businesses are hardworking teams composed of smart individuals.

However, that does not mean that solopreneurship is unachievable. Many great projects have come to life with the vision and dedication of only one individual.

For example, the critically acclaimed video game, Stardew Valley, was created by only one person – Eric Barone.

If you’re headed in such a direction but don’t know how to start your solopreneurship journey, this article’s got you covered.

Here, we look at the 10 best businesses for solopreneurs.

1. Freelance Work

Almost every professional is aware of what freelancing is. There has never been a better time than now to freelance.

Macro freelancing or the gig economy has taken off. In fact, 81% of tech companies have employed freelancers in some capacity.

If you’re experienced in your field or possess a skill, it may be time to take that to an independent level.

The advantages are better pay and a more flexible work-life balance. The drawback is a lack of medical benefits that a 9 to 5 job would offer.

Regardless, chances are you already have all the tools you need to start your freelance journey. All you need is contacts and the ability to pitch your skills efficiently and regularly.

2. eCommerce

If you know how to create goods that can add value to a particular market, why not sell them online? There are a plethora of websites and eCommerce portals that you can use to begin your journey.

Websites such as Etsy that promote independent sellers and artists and are a haven for handmade goods. eCommerce can be one of the best businesses for solopreneurs and offers room for growth.

What can start out as you independently selling handmade jewelry online can slowly turn into a lifestyle goods business with you as the head of a team of creators.

3. Social Media Creation

Social media is both a great pastime and a fantastic avenue for conducting business. In fact, creating content on it can be one of the best businesses for solopreneurs.

Social media creation requires two things from the creator:

• Make the content relevant and of quality
• Know the ins and outs of how your social media platform works

Oftentimes, it isn’t the creation but point 2 that stops creators from getting engagement on their content.

It starts with changing your perception of social media from a place to entertain yourself to a platform to network, find customers, and brand sponsors.

Once you begin to regularly post quality content, engage with your community and build an audience, brands will start appearing. It’s as simple as that.

4. Consulting

The business of consulting isn’t simply limited to Wall Street financial types. You can consult businesses and brands about almost anything so long as your expertise is in demand.

The ideal consultant has enough experience and know-how to be able to offer a strategy to their clients.

Consulting can be one of the best businesses for solopreneurs if they:

• Are experienced in a particular field
• Are keeping up with the latest developments
• Have learnings of value to businesses in an industry

5. Online Education

Websites like Udemy, Udacity, Linda, and many more offer those with knowledge an outlet to share it.

Creating a course online can be one of the best businesses for solopreneurs who enjoy teaching.

You require nothing but a camera, computer, a good editing software, and the ability to explain what you know clearly and effectively.

It’s as simple as that.

6. Podcasts

Podcasts can become a great source of revenue for those who have an interest in a particular field and have contacts with a stake in it.

While this is a collaborative business, you only need yourself to be an internal stakeholder and your guest speakers can just be contributors who speak one episode at a time.

7. Employment Services

Your experience in a certain industry is not simply limited to the state of the product/service.

It also includes a general knowledge of human resource requirements, of developments in talent- what makes a great hire, basically.

You can use that knowledge to help candidates with their resumes, interviews, and professional plans.

This is an invaluable service, as many white-collar candidates aim on getting immediate employment after spending a lot on college tuition.

8. Translation Services

This has less to do with your professional experience, rather it takes your background and potential language interests into consideration.

Being bilingual (or even knowing more languages) isn’t simply a way to communicate with your family members. It can also be used as a bankable skill.

Translation is extremely important as it helps connect businesses from two different countries, effectively. And it’s not as simple as translating word for word correctly.

Oftentimes, translators take cultural contexts and biases into account while translating for clients. It is that intangible knowledge that can make cross-country negotiations successful.

9. Commissioning Agency

While a marketing agency may require multiple individuals of varying skills, certain types of agencies can function with only one person.

For example, you can effectively become a middle-man in a supply chain for certain goods and services.

This is one of the best businesses for solopreneurs as supply chains have become global, yet require domestic market know-how to function.

Rather than getting a fixed income, how much you earn depends on how many clients you manage and how big your orders are.

10. Domestic Help

Starting a domestic help business can be very effective, as households with a single ‘breadwinner’ are diminishing steadily.

There needs to be someone to walk the dogs, mow the lawn, babysit and take care of other household responsibilities.

Creating a route, contacts, or ‘retainers’ can help you create a sustainable business, which is in demand in this day and age.

In Conclusion

You can try looking up what the best businesses for solopreneurs are, but generic solutions on becoming ‘X’ or ‘Y’ are often erroneous. The best business is one you can start and sustain with your skillset.

This list will give you a framework, to begin with.

However, after reading this, take a piece of paper, create a mindmap and write down what your skills are and how you can maximize their effectiveness while earning as much as you can.