Over the years, I’ve had more businesses than I can count. Some succeeded, many failed. Thinking about the title, I’ve always been a business of one. But today, the business of one model has come to mean something different to me.
I’ve learned many lessons throughout my entrepreneurial journey, which caused me to evolve. Not only as an entrepreneur, but as a person. Moving in this new direction, I want my business to encompass my entire being. The things I value and all my interests.
Basically, I want a business of ME.
I don’t want to be tied to a particular business or a niche. Everyone evolves. And as YOU grow in life and business, you will evolve too. Nobody, stays the same. Evolution is inevitable. Your interests will change. Your thought process will change. Your habits and friends will change.
The Phrase of All That is Evil For One Person Businesses
There was a phrase that my Nana used to say, “A jack of all trades, a master of none.” That phrase would irk my last nerve. I never believed in that phrase. I didn’t then, and I don’t today. You can be a jack of all trades, and a master of many. As, long as you have the roadmap and the strategy to make it happen. Nobody, should have to limit their creativity, or their interests to fit into a single box. Who wants that? I sure don’t! Not anymore.
The Jack In The Box Problem For a Business of One
That’s what I call it now. The problem when “gurus” try and tell you to put yourself in a box. The nagging voices, “you have to niche down. You have to choose one thing.” You pop out to do the same thing over and over again. You’re becoming a glorified automated human robot – on demand. Here’s the real problem with this model. It stifles your creativity.
You feel suffocated. You cannot move outside the realm in which the box allows. You might have other interests, but you’re told to create another platform for it. (that’s just too much) It paralyzes you. It’s hard sometimes to pick one thing. When people cannot decided, it prevents them from executing.
This is why some people never start their business. Monkey See, Monkey Do Conundrum Markets are becoming saturated by the minute. Everyone is a clone of another. When you are a jack in the box, you become the commodity, not the unique offer.
Make YOU The Niche: The Goal of a One Person Business
The only way I see it, moving forward, is to make yourself the niche. I’ve been in these Internet streets for over a decade, and the writing is on the wall. The way I see the one person business model today, trumps every business model before.
When you make yourself the niche, you can encompass your entire being. All your interests, values, & opinions. You’re not limited to the topics you talk about, the content you put out or businesses that you start.
This is a business of YOU. It makes so much more sense. It gives you the room to be creative, and do all the things you enjoy without limitations. The realm of infinite possibilities.
What You Need to Start A Business of One
To start a business of one, you need skills. Skills pay bills in the world of business. I’ve been fortune over the years to have obtained many. Think about all the things you have done so far, and if you haven’t gotten any skills, get some. (Youtube is a great place to start, be sure to follow me first though 😉 ) Here are some of my skills to help you think of yours:
- Web Design
- Door to Door Sales
- Telemarketing
- Recruiting
- Managerial
- Coding (Web Development)
- Self-Publishing (Adobe InDesign)
- Writing (Novel, Copywriting, Poetry)
- Ecommerce Store (Shopify, BigCartel, Etsy)
- Speaking (Video, Podcast, Lives, Consulting, Presentations)
- Graphic Design (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva)
- Business Plans
- Strategy Plans (Roadmaps)
- Funnel Building (Single webpages)
- Email Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Customer Acquisition
- Value Ladder
- Facebook/Instagram Ads
- Lead Generation
- Digital Product Creation
- Basic Video Editing (Camtasia, some Adobe Premier Pro)
- Amazon KDP
- Low Content Books (42 on Amazon at the time of this writing)
- Network Marketing
- Affiliate Marketing
- Clothing Brand
- Print/Digital Magazine
- Fashion Boutique (Brick and Mortar)
- Mentoring Youth ages 16 – 24
- Coaching Hi-steppers (Dance Teams)
- Raising children
- Creating budgets
- Automation (using software)
I’m pretty sure you get the point. Make a list of everything you’ve done. Even skills you’ve earned on the job. They do count.
The Business of One Formula
In my opinion, the best way to start is by learning a skill and offering a service. Which is doing that skill for someone else in exchange for social proof or money. Here is my simple formula below:
1. Skill Acquisition That is the process of you acquiring a skill. Learn it from a course, YouTube or somewhere. Learn a skill that you can monetize.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice This is when you do work for FREE or for a very low cost to get some feedback, testimonials and practice in. This is your social proof.
3. Raise your prices Now, that you are feeling confident. You have some social proof, some reviews and a system you up the price of your services. You can follow this formula for as many things that interest you as you want. Remember, you are building a one person business of YOU. This business model is made up of your goals, interests, and desired lifestyle. That is what makes this business model so awesome.
