2024: What I Learned in My First Year as a Solopreneur
That you can learn from too...
(Note: I write this while on holiday with my family in Phuket and I am filled with gratitude as I reflect whilst writing this…)
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If you’d asked me five years ago if I ever wanted to be an entrepreneur, my answer would have been an immediate, direct no—maybe even a “never.”
I’ve always been an “institution” girl, moving between agency life and the corporate world.
I worked hard, climbed the ladder, and enjoyed the consistency of a pay cheque and corporate perks.
But then I had kids, and everything changed.
My corporate life didn’t allow me to be the mum I wanted to be. It forced me to reflect on my work and question every aspect of it.
If I couldn’t be there for my kids when they needed me and I wasn’t growing professionally or personally—what was the point?
Playing with new technology like AI, purely out of interest, opened my eyes to a world beyond the traditional 9-to-5.
It helped me realise that I could do more while being present for my kids. My gut even told me I could earn more if I set my mind to it.
After two years of mulling it over, experimenting with side hustles, and investing in courses, communities, and coaching, I finally took the leap into solopreneurship in January 2024.
Now, one year in, I can confidently say I wish I’d started sooner!
Here’s how my 2024 went and what I’ve learned along the way:
1. You need to establish and own your new identity…
Breaking out of the corporate mould is hard.
When your work has defined you for so long, answering the question, “What do you do?” with confidence both to yourself as well as the outside world, can feel impossible.
Even now, one year in, I’m still debating what my “title” should be.
Am I an online entrepreneur? A solopreneur? An AI strategist? An AI educator? I bounce between these descriptions of myself depending on the day and who I’m speaking to :)
What I’ve Learned: It doesn’t matter what you call yourself. What matters is knowing what you’re good at, how you use it to serve your audience, and who your audience is. Everything else will fall into place.
2. You need to want it..
Running your own business is tough. You’re not just the CEO; you’re the admin, accountant, marketer, and IT support.
While there’s plenty of fun in building your business, there’s just as much mundane, time-consuming work—and nothing ever goes exactly to plan.
What I’ve Learned: If your mission and purpose aren’t strong enough (ie your WHY), your business won’t stand the test of time.
For me, my mission is to create work I enjoy while achieving time and financial freedom to be the mum I want to be.
The purpose of my business is to empower female business owners to use AI and new tech to 10x their productivity at a fraction of the cost, so they can focus more on what matters most to them.
On the hardest days, I remind myself of these goals.
I won’t lie, on the rough days, I still question my decision to start my own venture, but within minutes, I know that going back to a 9-to-5 isn’t an option I want.
Plus, I remind myself that thanks to the incredible support of my husband, I *get* to do this. I have no option but to succeed.
3. It’s 80% mindset, 10% strategy, and 10% consistency…
I’ve always been great at strategy and consistency, and rarely need someone else to hold me accountable.
But mindset? That’s been unchartered territory for me; something I’ve never really thought about in my corporate life.
Imposter syndrome. Limiting beliefs. Scarcity mindset. Money mindset. Fears of uncertainty.
These are very real challenges, and if you don’t address them, they can be paralyzing.
What I’ve Learned: The journey is isolating and you need support. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will cheer you on, no matter what.
I’m part of four communities of entrepreneurs on similar journeys, and I rely on them daily to help me push through the bad days, all the self-doubt and remind me why I chose to take this path.
4. You can build a business from any knowledge you have…
This year, I’ve taught female founders and coaches how to use AI to better understand their businesses and create content that maximises their online visibility.
I married my background and expertise in digital communications and my enthusiasm of AI to launch my services to like-minded women entrepreneurs.
In 2024, I hosted 58 workshops with over 1,000 attendees and generated $22,000 in revenue (not profit)—from something I love doing and am still learning about.
What I’ve Learned: If you have a skill, you can turn it into a business in the knowledge economy. New technology like AI makes it faster and easier than ever, with minimal investment. There are no longer any barriers to entry; you just have to take the first step.
5. You will get the answers you are looking for by taking action…
You can strategise, research, learn and work with coaches all you want. But you’ll only discover what works by taking consistent action.
What I’ve Learned: Take action, even if it’s scrappy. It just needs to feel right to you, and then go for it. Do not overthink it. You will get your answers by taking action.
Do not worry about having everything sorted tech wise for example; the first time I sold something was with a Google doc and a Stripe link. I still don’t have a proper website, nor do I have a business name, or even a logo.
I’ve still been able to run 58 workshops and two group programmes this year. From that messy action, I’ve discovered what my audience wants and what I’m good at teaching.
If I hadn’t taken action and put myself and my services out there, I’d still be stuck, trying to figure out what to do next.
You either win or you learn, and that’s it.
As I step into 2025, I feel both nervous and excited.
But more excited as I take another leap forward towards designing my work around what I love doing and my life as a mum and wife.
If you’re considering solopreneurship, my advice is simple: Take the leap. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just start. Even if it’s on the sidelines.
Thank you for being here and part of my journey. If you have any questions, reply to this email or leave a comment, I reply to every one :)