The Inner Work of Solopreneurship: What No One Tells You About Starting a Business
When you decide to start a business, you expect to be busy. You expect to feel excited. You expect a learning curve.
But what you don’t always expect is just how emotional the experience is . . . how personal, vulnerable, and confronting it can be.
As someone who’s deeply rooted in helping others grow, I never imagined that building my own business would ask me to grow in so many directions, all at once.
This is my first time starting something that’s truly mine. And I’ve felt every emotion in the book.
This Work Is Deeply Personal
I’ve felt pure excitement . . . those moments of uncontrollable anticipation, wanting to run full speed ahead to see my vision become real right now.
I’ve also felt overwhelming frustration . . . learning countless new tools and platforms, figuring out legal and financial structures, wrestling with apps that weren’t the right fit, testing things out, and realizing some of them needed to go.
I’ve questioned everything:
“You have no idea what you're doing.”
“You're not good enough.”
“No one’s going to want what you have to offer.”
“You should just quit before you waste more time and money.”
I’ve had moments of absolute fear, stress, and exhaustion, especially while juggling a full-time 8–5 job and trying to build something this meaningful on the side.
But I’ve also had moments of joy . . . meeting incredible, supportive people, receiving beautiful encouragement from friends and family, and this growing feeling of aligning with my own path.
And the deeper I go, the more I realize: the outer work (the logos, websites, launch strategies) means nothing without the inner work.
The Real Challenges Are Inside
Here’s what no one really talks about:
Starting a business will surface every insecurity, fear, and limiting belief you’ve ever held.
You’re not just building a brand. You’re sharing your voice. You’re claiming space. You’re standing for something. And that’s deeply vulnerable work.
Imposter Syndrome
I’ve heard it in my own mind: “Am I good enough to do this work? I can’t compete with the women out there already doing this work. I don’t have enough experience yet.”
Limiting Beliefs
The thoughts creep in when I least expect it:
“I won’t be able to manage this and my regular job.”
“People won’t want to pay me for my offer.”
“I’m a great creator but a terrible sustainer, this will never work.”
Visibility Fears
Putting myself out there on social media, starting to share publicly . . . it’s scary!
Letting people see my work, my face, my story . . . it feels exposing.
But there’s another fear too, one that’s very hard to say out loud:
What if I put myself out there . . . and no one shows up?
Being ignored can feel just as vulnerable as being judged. It touches the fear of being invisible. Of not mattering. Of being misunderstood.
And yet, both fears . . . being seen and being unseen, require the same brave thing: showing up anyway.
Perfectionism + Overthinking
Trying to get it “just right” before sharing anything? That’s me.
But I’ve learned: perfectionism is often fear in disguise.
The more I wait for perfect, the longer I delay the real impact I’m here to make.
What I’ve Learned (So Far)
I’m still early in this journey but here’s what I’m learning as I go:
1. There’s No One Right Way.
You’ll try tools or strategies that don’t fit, and that’s okay. Every “not this” gets you closer to your path.
2. Your Emotions Are Not Red Flags. They’re Invitations.
Stress, fear, doubt… they’re not signs you’re failing. They’re signs you’re growing. You’re stepping outside the known and into becoming.
3. Self-Compassion Is a Non-Negotiable.
You will mess up. You will hit walls. Be gentle with yourself. Talk to yourself like you would a friend who’s doing something big and brave.
4. It Takes a Village.
Lean on your people. The support of friends, mentors, and community has been my lifeline. You don’t have to do this alone.
5. Keep Coming Back to Your ‘Why.’
This journey is hard, but your purpose is your anchor. When everything feels shaky, return to why you started. It’s what makes the hard days’ worth it.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business isn’t just about launching a brand. It’s about launching yourself.
You will shed old identities. You will meet new versions of yourself. You will feel like you’re too much and not enough, sometimes in the same day.
But you’ll also grow in ways you never imagined.
If your business is the vehicle, your inner work is the fuel.
So take the next step. Try the thing. Share the post. Start before you’re ready. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to stay connected to yourself.
I’m doing this right alongside you. And you’re not alone.
PathForward offers purpose-driven coaching, community, and courses designed to fit into your life, not the other way around.