Solopreneur tips: what I learnt starting my own business

When people ask how I became a solopreneur, the honest answer is this: it was never the plan, but it became the path I needed.

During the (dare I say it without bringing up lots of trauma for all) Pandemic, like many others, I lost my part-time contract position at a big blue-chip. Understandably, they needed to look after the full-time staff, and no one was buying fuel except for Amazon and Emergency services.

I must have applied to around 70 companies and received responses from about 5. The job market was frozen and opportunities were scarce, so instead of waiting and feeling sorry for myself (although I certainly did and probably ate my way through crisps in the process), I started giving. I have back via online business volunteer work.

I volunteered my digital skills as a mentor with Digital Boost, offering support to charities, small businesses and individuals. Session after session, I, as well as the people I was serving, realised something important. Not only did people need this help, but they were coming back for repeat sessions and saying how I was good and a natural and why I wasn’t doing this for myself.

That was the spark that lit Sumodi.

With a career background spanning MSN, ITV, Shell, start-ups and small businesses, I already had a toolkit of experience in digital, advertising, marketing, strategy, media, website management and content. What I didn’t have was a blueprint for running a business of my own.

So I created one.

I mapped my values, my vision, my mission, my purpose. I identified my audience, refined my USPs, analysed competitors, chose a name, built a proposition, and designed packages that met real needs. I did free work at first to build my confidence and see if what I offered had legs. I networked online. Then came my first clients. Then came confidence.

The challenges

Running a business solo isn’t easy. There’s no certainty about where the next project will come from. It can feel isolating – just you and your laptop. Financially, there are ups and downs. And there’s always that voice whispering: “Do I know enough to get started?”

But I learnt resilience quickly. I found strength in catch-ups with family, friends and peers.

A run or walk by the sea in the morning sets up my day.

A gratitude diary helps me keep perspective. And I invested in upskilling – because growth requires constant learning.

What drives me

Purpose drives me. Knowing that my work enables others to grow and thrive. Being passionate about marketing and seeing it empower my clients.

It’s also the variety – no two days or projects are the same. It’s the freedom – no long commutes into London, just me, my clients and the work that matters. It’s the collaboration – helping other freelancers in my network win business too.

It’s also the little things – creating a home office that feels energising (plants, sit-stand desk, nice pair of headphones, music, good vibey lighting). Those changes transformed my work-from-home life.

My advice to other solopreneurs

If you’re thinking of starting, or you’re in the early days, here’s what I’d say:

Polish your craft. Keep learning, adapting and testing.
Get the right tools. From Asana and Trello to a great notebook – find systems that work for you.
Network generously. Offer help, ask for help, reconnect with old contacts. Good people always help good people.
Start small. Free work is a great way to test and learn.
Be authentic. Bring your whole self to your business. Consistency, passion, honesty and kindness stand out.

I didn’t set out to become a solopreneur. But what I’ve learnt is that when you combine purpose, resilience and heart, you don’t just grow a business – you grow yourself.