Are you thinking of setting up your own one-person business?

Then you’ll want to read this guide first. It covers the exact steps you need to follow.

Plus, I share the top one-person business ideas.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go.

• How to start a one-person business:
• Find a business idea
• Start your business on the side
• Set up your business
• Get your first client
• Outsource to other businesses

What is the one-person business model?

A one-person business is one run by an entrepreneur on their own. There’s no distinction between the owner and the business and the owner is the sole person in charge of the business. They might outsource work to other businesses on a contractual basis. 

The owners of such businesses are also called “solopreneurs.”

More and more people are discovering the freedom and fulfillment of running a one-person business.

In fact, over 80% of small businesses in the US are managed solo. That’s over 27 million one-person businesses.

Now, you can have a team – even as a one-person business. That’s what I do. While I’m the only employee in my business I have a team of contractors I’ve worked with for years.  

Want to join the solopreneur club?

Then keep reading to find out how to start your own one-person business.

How to start a successful one-person business in 5 steps

Setting up your one-person business is very exciting. But many people think that doing it on your own will make things extra complicated.

It really doesn’t have to be that way, though.

Here are five important steps to follow:

1. Find a business idea and model

Your solopreneur journey starts with finding the right business idea.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, focus on what you’re good at and what people need.

Go for a business model that lets you get started ASAP.

Coaching, consulting, and freelancing are great examples.

They offer high-profit margins AND have minimal startup costs.

Plus, you can dive into them right away.

That’s because these business models are built on productizing your existing knowledge and skills.

The final “product” can be a service, but it could also be items, like ebooks, online courses, or templates.

When I first started my business, I opted for coaching/consulting for those exact reasons.

I had learned digital advertising at my day job, so I set up a side hustle and started providing consulting services. 

Eventually, I branched out to courses. In that first year, I was able to quit my day job and scale my business to seven figures. (Note: I had experience of building businesses, so I didn’t start from scratch. But one-person businesses can be scalable.

Now, to boost your income, you also need to pick a good niche. That’s your specialization.

When you target a specific audience with a specific problem, your business is more likely to become their top choice.

Not sure what your niche will be?

Think about what skills people often ask for your help with.

What expertise do you bring to the table?

In other words: What’s your unique selling point?

In this video, I share how to find your niche with just ONE sentence::

Once you’ve found your business idea, the next step is to make sure it’ll work.

That’s where market research comes in. Talk to potential clients directly to understand what they want and need.

With a solid idea and some research under your belt, you’re ready to launch your one-person business.

BUT don’t quit your day job just yet…

2. Start your business on the side

Look, I get it — the urge to quit your job and dive headfirst into entrepreneurship can be strong.

But I recommend you not to do that — at least not YET.

Starting your business on the side is a SMART move.

Doing so will help you avoid a common mistake many new entrepreneurs make: Quitting too soon.

Those stories of people striking gold after quitting their job?

Unfortunately, they’re the exception, not the rule…

Launching your business without a plan often leads to burnout.

And feeling pressured to make quick money to cover bills?

That just increases risky decisions…

Here’s the thing: You want to set your business up for long-term success.

And for that, you need a strategic approach.

For example, I built my business to six figures in sales BEFORE leaving my job.

Having that financial security allows you to make strategic decisions.

Plus, it gives you the freedom to invest in resources and gain clients gradually.

Sure, juggling both means you’ll have less time. But again, it’s all about being strategic.

Instead of burning yourself out by sacrificing sleep or waking up really early, focus on maximizing the limited time you do have.

And don’t waste that time on low-impact activities.

Instead, prioritize the tasks that move your business forward, like getting clients.

Want to learn more about managing your time wisely? Then check out this video I put together for you:

Now that you know why starting your business on the side is such a power move, let’s look at how to actually set it up.

3. Set up your business

Great, it’s time to officially set up your business!

But… how do you even get started with that?

Good news: It’s easier than you might think.

To make the process as smooth as possible for you, I’ve put together this handy checklist.

For now, let’s take a quick look at three important steps:

• Business structure: For a small one-person business, your best bet might be a sole proprietorship. It’s easy to set up and doesn’t require much paperwork.
• Registration: Registering your business can be straightforward. Often, you just need to inform your local or state government of your business name. And if you’re  operating under your own name, you might not even have to register at all. Still, skipping registration could mean missing out on legal and tax benefits.
• Licenses and certifications: Always check if you need any licenses or permits BEFORE selling your services or products. Unless you’re in fields like medicine, law, or accounting, you’ll probably be able to skip this step. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, check your local requirements.

While you’re setting up your business, I know it might seem like you absolutely need to write everything out in an elaborate business plan.

But that’s actually a common myth I’d like to dispel.

Here’s my advice:

You don’t really need a business plan.

And you definitely don’t need a complex one.

A business plan can offer clarity and direction. But creating one is only useful if it leads to ACTION.

That’s why it’s best to go for a simple one-page plan.

Keep it concise and action oriented to avoid getting stuck in planning mode.

So, which actions should you focus on?

In the beginning, your top priority should be getting your first clients/customers.

That’s the next step…

4. Get your first client

OK, you got your business basics sorted.

Now,where do you find your first few clients so you can start making some sales?

Let me walk you through the process.

The first step? Market research.

That’s how you figure out where your clients are.

Wherever that is, you should be there too. And offer them consistent value.

You see, nobody knows you yet.

So, your job is to show why investing in your service or product is the smart thing to do.

Want to keep it simple?

Then you can do what I did:

Through my market research, I discovered that my ideal clients were in a handful of Facebook groups.

So, I joined those groups.

Next, I promised myself that every day for the next four weeks, I’d go on Facebook and spend an hour or two answering specific questions people had.

By offering this valuable free advice, I built a lot of credibility.

And that’s how I landed my first few clients.

Another (very) important tip: Don’t overwhelm yourself.

Instead, focus on one client/customer at a time.

And every happy client or customer means a new testimonial and/or review for you.

Be sure to share these! They’re like magnets for more business.

Suddenly, you’re not just another business — you’ve got proof of success.

And success draws people in.

In this video, I share the exact strategies I used to build my business as fast as I did:

I’ll be honest with you though:

As a solopreneur, I didn’t do it ALL alone. And neither will you.

Let me explain…

5. Get support

The word “solopreneur” might make you think you have to figure everything out on your own.

But that’s not the case.

Getting the right support is a game-changer.

There’s a saying that goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This applies to one-person businesses too.

Early on, I got advice from top advisors and coaches.

Their input really helped speed up my growth.

Now, it’s my turn to offer advice. To this day, I’ve helped hundreds of my students grow their businesses to six figures and beyond.

Why?

Because I love helping others achieve what I did:

Running a successful FREEDOM business that lets me live life on my terms.

I share my years of experience to simplify the journey for others.

That’s also why I created my Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) program.

It outlines clear steps to build a thriving online business. And it’s exactly the kind of help I wished I had when I started.

Another great way to get support?

Outsource some of your tasks to freelancers.

At first, you might want to figure things out on your own. But once your business is starting to bring in five to six figures?

That’s when outsourcing becomes not just helpful but necessary.

It’s a great way to expand your business.

Plus, it frees up a lot of your time and energy.

Awesome! Now you know how to start your one-person business.

But what are the best business ideas for going solo?

Let’s look at those next.

28 one-person business ideas you can start

Picking the right business model will set you up for long-term success.

To help you make the choice, I’ve gathered the top one-person business ideas.

Let’s explore them together.

Coaching

Coaching lets you make money with what you’re already good at.

You do much more than just give advice — you offer your clients a real transformation.

And guess what?

People are willing to pay a lot for this kind of change.

That’s why most of my students are able to earn six to seven figures with their coaching business alone.

Consulting

Consulting is another great way to leverage your current skills.

As a consultant, you dive straight into problem-solving mode for your clients.

You’ll take on the following tasks:

• Analyze data
• Pinpoint issues
• Map out strategies
• Put those strategies into action
• Evaluate your work
• Present its impact

Because you bring such high-value solutions, consulting can be VERY lucrative.

Selling online courses

Got knowledge to share?

Then package it into an online course.

Building a course takes some effort. But once it’s live, it’s yours to sell over and over.

In other words: It’s a great source of passive income.

My advice?

Start with coaching or consulting. Then transform your offer into a course.

Virtual assistant  

Becoming a virtual assistant (or VA) is a great idea if you like taking care of things like:

• Admin
• Scheduling
• Email management
• Data entry

Specializing in areas like bookkeeping or social media can boost your income as a VA.

Plus, the more tasks you take on, the fewer freelancers your clients have to hire.

That means more income for you.

Selling digital products 

Like online courses, creating digital products can take some time.

But once they’re ready, they can bring in passive income for YEARS.

Two other big benefits of digital products:

• There’s no inventory to store
• There’s no shipping involved

The key is to make products that solve a problem.

Some popular examples are:

• Planners
• Templates
• Guides
• Checklists

Blogging

Blogging lets you dive into topics you love, including anything from health to entrepreneurship.

You can post your content on:

• Your own site
• Someone else’s blog (guest blogging)

If you go with your own blog, it could earn money through ads and sales — but growing followers takes time.

Meanwhile, guest blogging leads to instant visibility. That said, they often prefer writers with an existing audience.

Freelance writing

Freelance writing is another way to make money through text.

Besides blogging, there are many other options for freelance writers:

• Ghostwriting
• Business proposal writing
• Copywriting
• SEO content creation

Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make landing gigs easier, but they take a cut of whatever you earn.

Another catch? Your paycheck matches your workload.

That’s why you need a profitable niche and well-paying clients.

Affiliate marketing

The concept of affiliate marketing is simple:

Share your favorite products or services, and if someone buys, you get a commission.

That means you’ll probably need a big following to be profitable, though…

The best strategy?

Use affiliate marketing as part of an existing business.

Grow your audience first, then add in affiliate deals to boost your income.

Translating

If you’re fluent in more than one language, then this business idea might be of interest.

Great translation isn’t just about speaking languages, though.

You need to understand cultural subtleties and industry jargon — think medical or legal fields, where the demand (and pay) is higher.

Content creation 

Content creation is broad.

It could mean you create videos, blogs, social media posts — anything, really.

Typical ways to earn money with content creation include:

• Advertising
• Sponsorships
• Selling your own products
• Affiliate marketing

Besides building up your own audience, you can also create content for others as a freelance content creator.

Tutoring

These days, you can tutor in-person or online.

Of course, working online offers more flexibility. And platforms like Udemy and Teachable simplify the logistics.

That way, you can focus on your students.

The downside?

Your income depends entirely on the hours you put in.

That’s why I recommend also turning your teaching skills into digital courses.

Bookkeeping

The average U.S. bookkeeper earns around $47,000 a year.

But as a freelance bookkeeper, you could earn more.

How? By charging higher rates.

And guess what?

You don’t necessarily need formal qualifications to become a bookkeeper.

The key is EXPERIENCE — and helping your clients get real results.

Become a legal coach

If you have experience in the legal field, becoming a legal coach could be a good choice.

Unlike bookkeepers, however, legal coaches generally do need certain qualifications. That’s because they give  legal advice.

Since this type of coaching is specialized, it often pays very well.

Podcasting

As a podcaster, you share your passion and expertise through audio.

Doing this on your own means you need to wear many hats:

• Content creator
• Editor
• Marketer

And monetization comes from:

• Ads
• Sponsorships
• Memberships
• Affiliate marketing

That said, building up a podcast audience can take a lot of time and effort…

Online fitness training

Online fitness training lets you turn your love for exercise into a business.

You’ll do the following:

• Create workout plans
• Lead online classes
• Coach clients one-on-one

It’s a great way to work from anywhere and help others stay fit.

Real estate agent

Being a real estate agent means you help people buy, sell, and rent homes.

You need to:

• Find the right places
• Talk with buyers and sellers
• Handle all the paperwork

The downsides?

Building a client list takes time — and you have to stay on top of market trends and legal requirements.

Digital marketing service

Digital marketing includes:

• Content marketing
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Email marketing
• Social media marketing

To boost your rates, it’s best to specialize in at least one area.

But​​ the more you can cover, the higher your earning potential.

Social media management

Are you creative and quick thinking? Do you have a knack for digital trends?

Then this business idea could be just right for you.

As a social media manager, you take care of social media accounts.

It’s relatively easy to start.

But the tough part is dealing with the ever-changing rules and algorithms of the social media world.

Resume writing

Through resume writing, you help your clients land jobs.

To succeed, you need:

• A good grasp of language
• A solid understanding of what employers look for

As a resume writer, you can charge per resume or offer packages that also include cover letters and LinkedIn profiles.

Starting out is relatively straightforward, but to increase your rates, you need a strong reputation.

Web developer

Web developers create websites or update existing ones.

You can charge by the hour or per project.

Getting started means finding your first clients and proving your skills.

The real test though?

Keeping up with the tech world’s constant evolution…

Software training

Offering software training means you teach people how to use specific software.

This can range from basic office applications to specialized design or coding tools.

Want to turn this into a source of passive income?

Then bundle your expertise into an online course.

Yoga or fitness instructor 

Becoming a yoga or fitness instructor can be a smart move.

You can teach in groups or offer private lessons.

And you get to set the pace — and the price.

To have a steady income, you’ll need a solid client base. You can expand your reach with virtual sessions.

Event planning

Want to be the go-to person for making events happen?

Whether you’d like to focus on cozy gatherings or big events, you need to be good at:

• Planning
• Paying attention to details
• Creative problem-solving

Running this business solo is certainly doable.

But having a network of reliable vendors and venues makes a big difference.

Graphic designer

As a graphic designer, you specialize in creating visuals like:

• Branding
• Web design
• Ads

Quality trumps quantity here. Aiming for a few high-paying clients makes your business profitable.

And it lets you focus on what you do best: designing.

LinkedIn coaching

Through LinkedIn coaching, you help clients:

• Optimize their profiles
• Network successfully
• Use LinkedIn for career growth

How much you earn depends on your niche and expertise.

But you can increase your rates by offering extra:

• Services, like interview preparation and resume writing
• Resources, like templates or guides

AI consultant

AI consultants  help businesses grow smarter with the right AI implementation and optimization.

The fast pace of AI development is a challenge.

But staying updated on the latest trends can make you a top expert.

Career coaching

As a career coach, you help clients reach their career dreams.

Those dreams could be:

• Landing a new job
• Getting a promotion
• Excelling in their current role

The earning potential in this field is big.

For example, take my student Emily from Cultivitae. She runs a six-figure business helping professionals land their dream jobs.

Handyman

Are you good at fixing things?

A handyman works on tasks like

• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Unclogging drains
• Renovations

If you’ve got experience with that sort of thing, this business idea might be right up your alley.

And if you already have the tools, startup costs are low.

The catch? It’s physically demanding.

Plus, your income depends on how many jobs you can handle.

Dating coaching

Dating coaching is another popular coaching niche.

To increase your rates, it’s best to specialize.

For instance, my student Ruby (Good Gentleman) makes six figures a year coaching ambitious men on dating.

Some other target groups to consider:

• Introverts
• Busy executives
• Seniors reentering the dating world

That’s the full list of the TOP one-person business ideas.

But what are the benefits of being a solopreneur?

Let’s explore that next.

What are the benefits of having a one-person business?

Wondering what makes a one-person business so appealing?

Here are the main benefits:

• Freedom and flexibility: You get to work from anywhere. And you can organize your life just how you like it. Basically, you no longer have to adapt to your work. Rather, you get to shape your work to fit your life.
• Ownership and autonomy: As a solopreneur, you make all the decisions. You can pick projects that excite you and align with your personal values and mission. It’s not just about working — it’s about working on what matters to you.
• Less expensive to start: Starting on your own means a lean setup. This reduces financial pressures and risk. This is especially true if you start your business alongside your full-time job.
• Efficiency: Because you don’t manage a team, you can focus directly on your work. This means more time spent getting things done. You have the freedom to choose what to work on, and how best to do it.

With these advantages, it’s clear why going solo has its perks.

Now, let’s get inspired by looking at some examples of successful one-person businesses.

Examples of successful one-person businesses

There are countless examples of one-person businesses across different industries.

Let’s take a look at some successful ones:

• LuisaZhou.com: I started my business to help others build successful businesses. And through my coaching and online courses, I’ve created a multiple seven-figure business. My success shows that you don’t have to come up with a revolutionary idea. Instead, you just need to figure out what you’re already good at and leverage that to the fullest.
• Spanx: Spanx is a great example of a simple yet effective product idea. Sara Blakely created the brand to solve a common issue: The need for comfortable yet flattering shapewear. She developed a product that women everywhere didn’t know they needed until they tried it. And Spanx quickly grew into a global brand.
• Dell: Dell was founded by Michael Dell. He started it as a small operation in his college dorm, where he customized and sold computers. His business exploded because he found a way to offer value that big companies couldn’t match at the time. This shows the power of understanding your customers’ needs and finding creative ways to meet them.
• Amazon: Jeff Bezos started Amazon as an online bookstore from his garage. Today, his company is a giant in e-commerce and tech — one that brings in hundreds of billions of dollars every year… and one that completely changed how people shop online.

These examples show that success as a solopreneur comes in many forms.

What will your success story be?

Next steps

And there you have it!

Now you know how to set up your one-person business. Plus, you know the top solopreneur business ideas.

Of course, running a thriving one-person business involves more than just an initial idea.

But having the right strategy from the start sets you up for long-term success.

Ready for the next stage? Then check out my Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) program.

It’s my six-figure blueprint that lays out exactly how to build a successful online business in straightforward steps.

Read more:

Overcome Your Fear of Starting a Business

Finally Go From Employee to Entrepreneur

How to Start a Side Business from Home