Solopreneurship, what’s that all about?
The definition of “solopreneurship” or a “solopreneur”, is someone who owns and runs a small business “alone”, i.e. freelance writers, bloggers, web designers, artists, authors, and primarily working from home.
For me personally, though, solopreneurship is about having control over your life and your destiny.
As some of you may know, I started my online venture as an artist wayyyy back in 2006.
I was creating and selling artwork online a few years before discovering blogging and and web design.
So really I’ve been a solopreneur for the last 10 years.
The hard working solopreneur
Solopreneurs don’t settle for anything much less than being able to take control, period.
You might come across many folks complaining about their situation. I hear it everyday in this business, and not just online either.
I have friends and even family members that constantly drone on about how much they hate their boss and their jobs.
Not to mention how much they hate commuting to and from work every single day, being stuck in traffic for long hours, and chasing a tail they’re never going to catch.
Oh how Monday mornings suck, the thought of another long week dragging it out in the office, or factory, or wherever.
I also hear many people saying how they wish they had more time to do the things they loved, or how they wish they could make the weekends last longer.
Famous last words huh?
Yet in all those instances, I’ve seen very few folks actually do anything to help change their circumstances.
Solopreneurs on the other hand know exactly what they want out of life.
For the successful solopreneur, everyday is a Saturday, because when work feels like play and you are in control of balancing work and life, nothing else really matters, right?
For the successful solopreneur, everyday feels like a Saturday...Click To TweetMoney to pay the bills, all the time to spend with family, friends, and doing the things you love!
Sound’s pretty awesome doesn’t it?
Why I love being a solopreneur!
I wake up every morning thankful for where I am today, what I’ve been able to achieve so far, and what I’m able to do to help others do the same.
Solopreneurship has given me back my daily freedom, I have complete control of my life and my destiny.
As a solopreneur…
- I’m able to spend quality time with my beautiful family and my friends, that’s the biggest reward, really.
- I’m able to fit in my work around the things I love to do the most, and not the other way around.
However, I didn’t get here by chance or by luck.
I didn’t start my business a week ago and “hey presto” I found instant success online.
I got to the level I’m at right now through mega hard work, dedication and determination.
Of course, I’m not rolling in piles of cash here, or living an extravagant lifestyle. And neither would I want to be.
I simply have the freedom to balance work and life, and be in a business that I’m truly passionate about.
So I beg the burning question to you… Are you ready to take back control of your life too?
Are you ready to start building a future for yourself, and have more time to spend with the people that really matter the most in your life?
Are you ready to become a solopreneur?
If you answered a big fat yes, great, let’s get you started.
Below you’ll find 11 amazing and inspiring must-read book titles for solopreneurs.
Seriously peeps, reading some of these books myself has really helped me reach many of my goals in my business, as well as in my life.
Now I want to share them with you, so wake up, read up, and get moving now!
Books for solopreneurs: Getting Started
Will It Fly by Pat Flynn – I have been tuning into Pat Flynn’s popular online business podcast for as long as I remember. Well ever since I discovered him for myself back in 2011.
I’m an avid fan of Pat, as I’m sure you are too if you know of him. His blog is extremely popular, with over 150,000 active members, and of course, packed with just awesome actionable content.
Anyhow, Pat considers himself to be the crash test dummy of online business, and so I really recommend reading ‘Will It Fly’ to anyone who’s serious about investing time and money into turning a business idea into reality.
Before you know what you’re getting yourself into, and whether your business idea will be profitable or not, read Pat’s book. Will It Fly will take you step-by-step, and help you plan, test and really see whether your next awesome business idea will work or not.
The $100 Startup – Are you on a budget? If you are, then you’ll love reading the $100 Startup book.
If your dream is to quit your boring and mundane day or night job, work for yourself, and live a more rewarding lifestyle, start with a $100 Startup.
Not only is this book filled with actionable tips, ideas and strategies, but you’re also presented with many fine inspiring examples, of how some folks have been able to start a business and become successful with it.
In addition, this book is a great little motivator. It explains that you don’t need to be a University Graduate, or throw tons of money down the gutter to get started. Well worth the time reading.
The 4-Hour Work Week – I’ve had great pleasure in reading Tim Ferris’s book a few times already, and the most recent updated version is better than ever.
I originally learned about this book, and discovered Time Ferris for the first time via a Podcast show on the Smart Passive Income website.
Whether you run one or two or three businesses, there’s some great things to take away from Tim’s unique story telling backed with some exceptional tips and advice. Get it, read it and apply yourself.
The Lean Startup – Continuous innovation really matters in ensuring your business takes off and grows successfully right?
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries will teach you, whether you’re a solopreneur or an entrepreneur with a small company, how to test, adapt and adjust in building and managing your successful startup. Some great advice to take note of in this book.
The Blogging Blackbook – Now if the whole blogging thing is a bit of a mystery to you, fear not. Jason Wolf’s book “The Blogging Black Book” will set you on the straight and narrow road to success, hopefully.
In no time at all, you’ll have learned everything you need to know about blogging, the types of blogs in existence today, how to structure your blog posts, headlines, content, images and much more. Recommended to all new solopreneur bloggers.
Books For Solopreneurs: Motivational Books
Elon Musk – Elon Musk is a true inspiration when it comes to business and self-made entrepreneurship. He founded a host of successful companies, including PayPal before eBay bought the company.
Elon Musk is also the founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, an extremely successful automative company that specialises in creating environmentally friendly electric cars.
In his book, Elon shares his best lessons for life, business, success and of course entrepreneurship. If you’re looking for a real book to inspire and motivate you, or your company, get this one and read it.
#AskGaryVee – Now I’m sure many of you will have heard of Gary Veynerchuck, founder of Vaynermedia. If not then you have to check him out. Gary is an investor, entrepreneur, public speaker, best-selling author with a huge passion and great personality to match.
Gary is well aware of the awesome power of the internet, and can often be found on many social media outlets sharing advice, videos, educating others and much more. That’s exactly how he’s been able to grow his brand and make a name for himself.
#AskGaryVee showcases some of the best questions and answers regarding leadership, social media and self-awareness. Awesome book you’ll love reading.
Why Now Is The Time To Crush It – Yet another favourite book of mine I’m recommending by Gary Veynerchuk. If you’ve got a passion, an obsession that you can’t stop thinking about, this book is a must for you.
Crush It will teach you how to take your passion, and turn it into a real profitable business using the power of the internet. Highly recommended if you want to learn from the best as well as get totally inspired.
Stop waiting for the perfect time to come along, now is the time to grab this book and start realising your potential.
How To Be F*cking Awesome – Boy do I love this book. Every now and then we all need a good kick in the rear end to get us moving. I will admit there have been a few times where I’ve had an amazing idea, but lacked any really motivation to get things moving.
Thankfully though I have my wife to kick me up the backside when I’m feeling like this.
Author Dan Meredith also does a grand job of making you want to get up to get stuff done, by sharing some great advice and principles you can take action upon immediately.
I love his style of writing personally, though some folks may find some of the language he uses offensive (be warned), however the content in his book is priceless.
The 10X Rule – Goals and actions are critical elements of attaining success, not just in business but in life too. In the 10 X Rule book by New York Times best selling author Grand Cardone, you will discover the principle of goal setting and taking massive action on another level entirely.
If you’re stuck in a rut in your online business or your blog, or indeed with your own personal goals in life, I recommend reading this book.
Books For Solopreneurs: Planning And Management
The One Thing – I finish off with the ‘one’ book that really changed everything for me, and that’s The One Thing by Gary Keller.
I’ve not only read this book several times over, but I’ve also recommended to many friends who have actually thanked me for the recommendation.
The One Thing will share with you some interesting theories, insights and real-life facts about ‘multi-tasking’, and how tackling more than one thing at a time in your business, or live, can actually kill productivity instead of improving it.
The One Thing has helped me to stay true and focused on achieving one goal at a time.
It has helped me to cut through the clutter and eliminate distractions. As a result of applying this strategy in my business and life, I’ve been able to achieve greater things this year (2016 at time of writing). I highly recommend this book.
So what do you think?
So there you have it, 11 absolutely heart-stomping books you need to read to get your solopreneurial juices flowing.
Do let me know what you think of my choice of books below in the comment section below.
Have you read any of these books already? If so, in what way have they helped you to change your thought-process, the way in which you operate in your business and in your life too? I’d love to hear from you.
Enjoy and happy reading! – Fabrizio.
P.s. If you enjoyed reading this post, and want to discover great books, check out this post where I recommend some great books for bloggers.
Hey Fabrizio,
Great post.
I’ve read a lot of these books with the exception of Pat’s new book. But it’s on my list of books to purchase and read.
I think any solopreneur needs to expand their knowledge ALWAYS. Reading books like these wold definitely help with that.
– Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Glad you enjoyed this list of books and that you’ve read many of these. I’ve always believed that knowledge is power. Learning to do something new that can help improve you or your business is valuable.
– Fabrizio.
I think I’ve been here before, but don’t think I’ve left a comment. So…
Great selection of good reads Fabrizio. As Andrew said, we can never get enough new knowledge, never. Don’t think most of us invest enough in ourselves. I know I don’t read as much as I should.
But, like I don’t have enough to read already! lol
Time to add some new reads to the never ending list.
Hey Ron, great to see you here again.
I think you have been here before and I think you have commented as well.
My memory is usually good as well ha ha.
I definitely hear you mate, we already have way more than enough stuff to read every day.
Finding time to read books, can be a challenge.
For me at the moment the best time to read is when I can’t do anything else.
If I’m on the train, bus, plane or waiting for something or someone I’ll read.
Enjoy mate.
Have a great rest of the week! – Fabrizio.
Exactly, one of the times I read as well, when I can’t do anything else. Don’t seem to get enough of that kind of time.
I’ve been using Pocket alot, more so on my phone. Perfect when, like you said, I am sitting somewhere with nothing to do. Though, don’t think it’s really made so much for reading books. I mostly read webpages I did not have time to read when I first came across them. Like bookmarks I guess.
Do have kindle reader on my phone too, so might have to load up some of the ones you mentioned. 🙂
Awesome list, great selection. May I also add my all-time fav – Dan brothers’ “Made to Stick” to the list?
Sure thing Jerry 🙂
These are great reads. I have most of them on my shelf! I am reading Tailored Dreams by Daniel Bradley. A great motivational story that I would recommend to leaders especially. Young leaders would really be a good focus for this book.