One Person Businesses: Solo Wins

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This week we’re diving back into the rise of One-Person Businesses (OPBs), a growing trend that’s reshaping how we think about work, independence, and freedom (especially in today’s AI-driven world).

Whether you’re already a solopreneur or just curious about how a one-person operation can make an impact, this edition will give you a fresh perspective on the OPB movement and why it matters now more than ever.

And, of course, OPBs still fall under the micropreneur category.

What’s an OPB?

At its core, an OPB is exactly what it sounds like: a business run by a single person. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just another term for “freelancer.” OPBs are about ownership, flexibility, and independence, but they often involve collaboration. Many OPB founders hire contractors, invest in other businesses, and even hold board seats. It’s less about doing everything yourself and more about owning the direction and decision-making.

Successful OPB entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income or Paul Jarvis, author of Company of One and incidentally co-founder of Fathom Analytics, have demonstrated how a single-person operation can be scaled to generate significant revenue while maintaining personal freedom. Pat Flynn, for example, built a six-figure business around his podcast and online courses, all while staying lean and independent. Paul Jarvis, on the other hand, promotes the idea that growth for the sake of growth isn’t always the best path; instead, he advocates for sustainability and simplicity.

Traditionally, OPBs may have been seen as sole proprietorships or freelancers. But today, many solopreneurs are setting up corporations to protect personal assets and scale their business operations more efficiently. The flexibility of owning a corporate entity while operating as a one-person team opens up new growth opportunities, from tax benefits to the ability to raise capital.

The pandemic triggered a surge of interest in OPBs, as more people realized the potential of being their own boss. But the trend has been steadily on the rise since around 2016. If you’ve ever wanted to control your future and explore new ways of working, now is the time to consider the OPB path.

Why Should You Consider an OPB?

Here are three key reasons why adopting the OPB mindset can benefit you:

1. Freedom

Freedom means choosing who you work with, from anywhere in the world. It’s about breaking free from the constraints of traditional office culture—no more commuting or rigid schedules. With an OPB, you can focus on outcomes rather than just showing up. Your business becomes a direct reflection of your personal values and vision.

Entrepreneurs like Justin Welsh, who built a $1M+ business as a solo consultant, prove that OPBs are not about playing small—they’re about playing smart. Justin managed to work less than 20 hours per week while growing his revenue streams, all because he designed a business around his life rather than the other way around.

2. Flexibility

OPBs give you the flexibility to work with multiple companies, experiment with different revenue streams, and manage your own time. Instead of locking into a 9-5 grind, you can choose your projects and partners. This freedom extends to scaling your business on your own terms—you can work solo, outsource specific tasks, or even take on large projects with temporary teams.

Take Sahil Lavingia, founder of Gumroad. After raising venture capital and managing a team, he scaled back to a one-person business. His success as a multimillion-dollar business without full-time employees is a testament to the possibilities of OPBs. Sahil’s story proves you don’t need a huge team to make a big impact. He runs everything himself, supported by contractors and automation tools.

3. Future-Proofing

With recent layoffs in tech and crypto, it’s clear that traditional job security isn’t what it used to be. OPBs provide a way to future-proof your income by diversifying revenue streams and giving you control over your work. Whether you’re selling digital products, consulting, or managing client portfolios, you’re no longer dependent on a single employer or industry.

The trend toward solo entrepreneurship started with the gig economy but has evolved into a more resilient, diversified approach. Building an OPB allows you to protect yourself from market shifts while staying adaptable in uncertain economic times.

The Lone Wolf Myth

One common misconception about OPBs is that they’re lonely ventures. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. While you may be the sole owner, OPBs often thrive on collaboration. You may work with contractors, teams, or even fellow solo entrepreneurs in partnership projects. Think of an OPB not as isolation but as independence with connection.

George often compares OPB founders to wolves - strong alone, but stronger together. Wolves thrive in packs, and much like them, OPB founders succeed when they build strong networks. Whether it’s an accountability group, freelance partners, or business communities, collaboration is still at the heart of the OPB model.

Drawing inspiration from Polynesian wayfinders, we’ve come to see OPBs as a modern form of navigation in uncharted waters. The goal is not to go it alone indefinitely, but to maintain independence while forming strategic relationships that support your journey.

Expanding Your OPB Toolkit

Here are a few key tools and strategies OPB founders are using to streamline operations and scale their impact:

1. Automation Tools: Tools like Zapier or Notion help OPBs manage workflows without needing to hire additional staff. With automation, you can replicate the efficiency of a larger team while maintaining full control.

2. Personal Branding: Founders like Jack Butcher, creator of Visualize Value, have leveraged their personal brands to grow multi-million-dollar one-person businesses. Your personal brand can become one of the most powerful assets in an OPB, turning your knowledge and reputation into scalable income streams.

3. Leveraging Community: Platforms just like Beehiiv or Patreon allow creators to build communities and monetize their expertise. Successful OPBs often focus on building loyal audiences through newsletters, courses, or exclusive content.

Next Steps

Looking ahead, the goal isn’t just to hit a revenue milestone but to navigate the intersection of culture, technology, and entrepreneurship in a way that allows us to scale without compromising our freedom. We’re amidst the boom of the creator economy right now and its an exciting time full of opportunities to monetize your content and combine creative output with business strategies.

So whether you’re already running an OPB or considering the leap, remember that the key isn’t in doing everything yourself - it’s in building a system that works for you.

Feel free to reach out if you’re thinking about starting an OPB or want to share your own story. We’d love to hear from you.