Most solopreneurs don’t fail because they lack skill. They stall because they stay private.

In this episode, Carly shares a powerful takeaway from a women’s solopreneur retreat in Colorado Springs: the moment you say your business idea out loud is the moment it becomes real.

Because when no one knows what you're building, no one can help you build it.

You’ll learn the three essential types of community every solopreneur needs, not just for emotional support, but for growth, opportunity, and momentum.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, invisible, or like your business isn’t gaining traction, this episode will show you why, and how to change it.

Key Takeaways:

• Why saying your business idea out loud accelerates growth
• The 3 types of community every solopreneur needs
• How community creates momentum, opportunity, and referrals
• Why keeping your business private slows your progress
• How to build meaningful connections, even if you're just starting
• Why community must be reciprocal, not transactional

This episode is especially valuable for solopreneurs who want more momentum, clarity, and growth, without hiring employees or scaling traditionally.

Remember: flying solo in business doesn’t mean you’re alone.

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FAQs

Why is community important for solopreneurs?

Community helps solopreneurs gain perspective, referrals, support, and opportunities they cannot create alone. Without community, growth is slower and more difficult.

What are the three types of community solopreneurs need?

Solopreneurs need sustaining community (support), stretching community (growth), and scaling community (opportunity and connections).

How do solopreneurs build community?

Start by sharing your business idea out loud, saying yes to conversations, helping others first, and building relationships over time.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

What separates solopreneurs who stay stuck from those who scale into something bigger?

In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with attorney and business strategist Brandon Williams, whose experience working with major brands like Steve Harvey Global gives him a unique perspective on what it really takes to grow a business from a single idea into a lasting legacy.

Brandon breaks down one of the biggest myths about solopreneurship: that doing it alone means building it alone. He explains why the most successful solopreneurs actively build networks, leverage contractors, and think years ahead, even when they’re just starting out.

Whether you’re still in the idea phase or actively growing your business, this conversation will help you shift from thinking small to building intentionally.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why solopreneurs should think like CEOs, even on day one
• How to scale without hiring employees (using contractors and partnerships)
• The mindset shift that helps solopreneurs overcome imposter syndrome
• How to break big, long-term goals into actionable daily priorities
• The legal structures solopreneurs should set up early (like LLCs and contracts)
• Why sharing your idea accelerates growth instead of risking it
• How to build confidence when entering rooms with more “established” people
• The biggest partnership mistakes solopreneurs make (and how to avoid them)
• Why effort and momentum attract opportunities and support

Key Takeaways

1. Flying solo doesn’t mean building alone
Solopreneurs who scale successfully surround themselves with contractors, mentors, and collaborators.

2. Confidence comes from action, not experience
The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is often the willingness to try.

3. Structure makes your business real
Creating an LLC, separating finances, and putting agreements in place protects your future growth.

4. Focus on where you’re going, not just where you are
Thinking years ahead helps guide better decisions today.

5. Effort attracts momentum
Taking consistent action creates opportunities, connections, and growth.

Episode FAQs

How can solopreneurs scale their business without hiring employees?

Solopreneurs can scale by building a network of contractors, freelancers, and collaborators instead of hiring full-time employees. This allows them to expand their capabilities, take on more clients, and increase revenue while maintaining flexibility and low overhead. Many successful solopreneurs use contractors for marketing, operations, design, and technical work.

What legal structure should a solopreneur set up when starting a business?

Most solopreneurs should create an LLC (Limited Liability Company) early in their business. An LLC separates personal and business assets, protecting the owner from personal liability if legal issues arise. Solopreneurs should also open a separate business bank account and use written agreements with contractors and clients.

How do solopreneurs build confidence when starting or growing a business?

Solopreneurs build confidence through action, not experience alone. Taking small steps, such as networking, talking about their business, working with clients, and executing consistently, helps build belief over time. Even experienced business leaders are constantly learning, and confidence grows by doing, not waiting until everything feels perfect.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free

In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe get real about how to future-proof your business (and yourself) for the inevitable changes ahead. From spotting shifts in your industry to using AI and automation wisely, diversifying income streams, and planning for the long haul, this episode is your blueprint for staying resilient no matter what tomorrow throws your way.

It’s not about predicting the future, it’s about being ready for it.

Episode FAQs

What does it mean to future-proof your business as a solopreneur?
Future-proofing is all about building resilience and adaptability into your business so you can thrive no matter what changes come your way. You can’t predict every trend or challenge, but you can create systems, habits, and strategies that help you pivot quickly, like setting aside time to review what’s shifting in your industry, automating key tasks, and staying curious about new tools and opportunities.

How can I stay on top of trends without getting overwhelmed?
Be intentional about what you consume. Set up Google Alerts for your niche, use AI tools to summarize relevant updates, and curate your social media feeds to focus only on accounts that bring you value. The goal isn’t to chase every shiny object,
it’s to pay attention to the shifts that truly impact your clients, your market, or your workflow.

What’s one of the smartest ways to make your business more resilient?
Diversify your income streams within your expertise. For example, if you’re a coach, offer 1:1 sessions, but also create a digital course, downloadable resources, or a group program. That way, if one area slows down, another can pick up the slack. Bonus points if you layer in automation so some of those streams run while you’re off the clock.

🌟 Featured Resource: LifeStarr Intro for Solopreneurs

Are you building a business on your own and feeling like you’re going it alone? That stops today. LifeStarr Intro is a free, forever membership built especially for solopreneurs who want real support, real resources, and real community.

When you join LifeStarr Intro, you unlock:

• A vibrant community of like-minded solopreneurs for feedback, encouragement, and connection
• The LifeStarr productivity app (coming soon), built to support your workflow using GTD principles (that’s Tasks, Projects, Inbox that works)
• Live problem-solving meetups, expert sessions and strategies...and you don’t pay a thing

Total value: $65/month. Your cost? Zero.

👉 Ready to stop struggling solo and build a business that works for you?

Join LifeStarr Intro for Free