12 solopreneur business ideas you could start today

The solopreneur career path has been quickly gaining traction in recent years and for good reason. People are reevaluating what’s important to them, both in and out of work and opting for a new career lifestyle. One that affords them better work-life balance and the flexibility of being their own boss, with the security of minimal overhead costs.

If you’ve been inspired by stories of solopreneur success or the idea of self-employment has caught your attention, then you might be hoping to set up your own one-person business.

In this guide, we’ll take you through 12 of the best solopreneur ideas, explaining how they work and sharing some advice on how to get started.

But before we get into any of that, let’s first recap some of the basics.

What is a solopreneur?

A solopreneur is an individual who’s both the owner and sole employee of a business.

While an entrepreneur may start a company on their own, they’ll usually aim to grow and eventually sell the business. A solopreneur simply seeks a steady income and the flexibility of self-employment.

As a solopreneur, you’re ultimately responsible for organising, managing and assuming the risks of your business, without the help of a partner.

It doesn’t mean you can’t bring in support where you need it but being a solopreneur means you’ll typically be doing most of the work yourself.

Could a one-person business be right for you?

The solopreneur business model blends the freedom of running your own business with the simplicity of only being responsible for yourself. It's easy to see why they’ve become so appealing.

Here are some of the biggest advantages you’ll enjoy as a solopreneur:

• Low cost to get started—Solopreneur businesses generally don’t require too much investment to get started, especially in comparison with a more traditional small business.
• Only one stakeholder—Fewer employees mean fewer complications, lower running costs and less paperwork to stay on top of.
• Be your own boss—You’re entirely in control of the overall direction and operation of your business, on your time and your terms.
• 100% ownership—Meaning you have complete share of any profits.

Once you’re set on starting a solopreneur business, the first step in making your ambition a reality is to decide on a business idea.

12 of the best solopreneur business ideas you could start today

The beauty of the one-person business model is that you really can do anything you want, providing it’s feasible as a self-sustaining business.

There’s a plethora of solopreneur business types out there—too many to cover in one place! To give you a little inspiration, here are 12 of the most popular solopreneur businesses you could start today:

 

1. Blogger

A blogger creates and publishes written content on a personal website or publishing platform. The term originates from the early days of the World Wide Web and the phrase “web log”, which was later abbreviated to “blog”.

Think of bloggers as the original social media influencers. They’re content creators and thought leaders. While they may have been around for a long time, they are by no means a dying breed. In fact, bloggers have been making something of a resurgence in recent years.

A blogger will typically have a chosen topic area around which they’ll create content, such as fashion, recipes or interior design. By regularly publishing posts, they aim to gain and grow a following. They can then monetise this with sponsored "affiliate links" to partnered shopfronts or earn through advertisements on the blog itself.

To get started as a blogger, you’ll need the following:

• An idea of what your blog will be about—Is there anything you’re an expert in or especially passionate about? The more unique or niche your blog is, the easier it is to stand out from the crowd.
• A blogging platform—This could be a stand-alone website that you run yourself, a profile on a third-party blogging platform like Medium or Blogger or something else entirely.
• A content strategy—Having an idea for your blog is a great start but, to flourish, you need to think about content strategy. What will you write about? How will you generate traffic? How will you monetise and when?
• A creative workflow—Underpinning all of this, you’ll need a workflow to ensure that you stay on track and stay productive. 

Whether you’re in need of a writing tool, like Dropbox Paper or file storage to keep all your drafts organised, Dropbox is here to help.

 

2. Content Creator - Video & Podcasting

Following in the footsteps of traditional bloggers, multimedia content creators have a huge potential to earn, provided they can break through to a large enough audience to become an “influencer”.

Mainly producing content for YouTube, social media platforms like Instagram or podcasting platforms, these solopreneurs typically earn money through brand sponsorship deals, affiliate marketing and monetisation of their content through in-platform advertising.

To get started in this space, you’ll need to think about:

• Recording equipment—Whether that’s a podcasting microphone or a high-quality video camera. While production quality isn’t everything, it can certainly help to make your content stand out to new viewers.
• A creator profile—A profile on your platform of choice is how you convey your branding to your audience. Presentation and first impressions can count for a lot, so take time to think about whether you want to publish under your own name, a persona or something else.
• Editing software—Nobody does it perfectly in one take. You’ll want some editing software so you can make your content as polished and engaging as possible. Thankfully, with Dropbox app integrations, you can get the benefits of cloud storage while working in your favourite editing apps.
• Large file transfer—Working with video and audio means working with huge raw files. And sometimes you’ll need to transfer these files between machines. With Dropbox Transfer, you can send up to 100 GB of files at a time with secure encryption to keep your assets safe.
• Feedback—For professional video content, getting a second opinion before pushing the final version live is crucial. A reviewer can help you to fine-tune your content to make it perfect. And with Dropbox Replay, you can get frame-accurate comments from reviewers that you can act on straight away in your chosen editing tool.

 

3. Graphic Design & Photography

Graphic designers and photographers typically operate as freelancers or sole traders, providing their services to both businesses and members of the public.

In the case of graphic designers, your source of business will primarily be other businesses. Whereas for photographers, you might make money from a combination of requests from businesses, as well as more personal requests like wedding photography.

Here are some things to consider for either of these career paths:

• Pick a photography focus—It can help to pick a focus that you can advertise for more directly. For example, if you were to promote yourself as a wedding or events photographer, then your business would be more appealing to people looking for those services.
• List yourself on directories as a freelance graphic designer—Set yourself up on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. This way, businesses looking for your skill set can find you and ask you for quotes. You might also want to consider creating a professional website with a portfolio of your work.
• Keep your favourite design tools on hand—If you’re considering a career in graphic design, you’ll likely already have access to—and experience with—editing software. With Dropbox app integrations, you can continue to use this software without sacrificing the benefits of cloud storage.
• Share your work securely—For budding photographers looking to make a business of their passion, Dropbox is the ideal space for storing, editing and sharing your work. With secure large file transfers, watermarking and branded file sharing, it’s easy to make a lasting impression with your clients.

For more inspiration, check our full guide on how to start a photography business.

 

4. Copywriting

If you’re a confident writer but don’t think setting up a personal blog is the right path for you then a career in freelance copywriting might be the answer.

Similar to graphic design, your primary source of income will be providing services to businesses in need of writing support. This may involve writing articles, advertising copy or product information for their website—to name just a few examples.

Some things for freelance writers to consider include:

• Make yourself discoverable—A good first step will be to get yourself onto freelance platforms and start building up a client list.
• Build up a portfolio—Gather some writing examples to showcase your range. Repurpose existing work if you have it or give yourself some mock briefs and try to fulfil them. Get critiques from peers and listen to them. Once you’re satisfied, publish your portfolio to showcase to prospective clients.
• Establish a copywriting workflow—Once you’ve got work coming in, Dropbox can help you manage your workflow so you can stay organised and productive. Dropbox Paper is the home for all your writing projects, with cloud storage and file sharing features that make it easy to send work to clients and gather feedback, all in one place.

5. Dog Grooming & Dog Walking

Love working with animals? Enjoy the great outdoors? Dog grooming or dog walking could be the perfect business for you.

These solo businesses make money from building up a roster of regular clients who make recurring or intermittent bookings. Here are some things you need to consider about this solopreneur idea:

• Get certified—If you’re thinking about choosing this solopreneur career path, it goes without saying that experience with dogs is a must. While qualifications aren’t a legal requirement for dog groomers, you may want to take a course in grooming and styling so you can reassure potential customers. This goes for dog walking, too.
• Expand your repertoire—Not a dog person? You could also consider cat sitting, providing a much-needed service for cat owners who need to leave home for a few days. In fact, why stop there? There’s undoubtedly a market of tortoise and fish tank owners looking for sitters, too!
• Get organised—The more bookings you can safely fit into a given time without sacrificing the quality of service, the more profitable the business will be. In short, it pays to be organised. Fortunately, with built-in productivity and project management tools, Dropbox makes it easier than ever to stay on track.

 

6. Consultancy

Have you had an illustrious career or academic tenure in a particular field? If so, consultancy might be worth considering.

A consultant is a specialist in a particular area of expertise, such as business, marketing or any other field. Consultants make money by offering their knowledge and expertise to businesses. This may involve supporting directly on a project, running seminars and training workshops or advising leadership on strategic decisions.

Sound interesting? Here are thought starters for aspiring self-employed consultants to consider:

• Pick a niche that fits your skills and experience—Due to its nature, consultancy requires a degree of proven experience in a field. If you’ve spent a few years working in a particular industry, this is ideal.
• Get accredited—Depending on your chosen field, you may already have certifications. This will definitely help when you want to start consulting. For example, if you’re looking to consult in accountancy or legal matters, then having the relevant qualifications to talk about these topics with authority will be a must.
• Choose a target market—Think about the area in which you specialise. Who commonly needs help in this space? Do certain types of businesses struggle on their own? Is there a price gap for businesses that can’t afford expensive consultancy firms? Try to identify an audience that would benefit from your services.
• Build a network—Once you’ve addressed market research, think about how to reach your chosen audience. Social media, advertising and email outreach can be a great way to get started. It can also help to have an existing network of contacts, even former clients, from your previous industry experience.
• Make a lasting impression—As a consultant, you’re not just focused on delivering great work but also on building your personal brand and making a name for yourself. Dropbox helps make this easy with a seamless workflow, advanced sharing and branded file transfer. It’s a great way to help you to deliver excellent work on time and with your own professional flair.

 

7. Personal Trainer

Do you live for the gym? With a little extra training, you could kick-start a career helping others as a personal trainer.

A personal trainer works with people to help them achieve their fitness goals. This might be weight loss, strength building or training for an upcoming event like a marathon, to name just a handful of examples.

If this description has got your blood pumping then here are some things to think about:

• Get certified—While having a qualification to practise as a personal trainer isn’t a strict legal requirement in the US, you’ll find it difficult to find customers or get approval from gyms. Start by finding and completing appropriate certification.
• Find a mentor—If you’re serious about a career as a PT, consider seeking a mentor. With this solopreneur venture, it's common to train with an experienced peer to learn all about the business.
• Think about how customers will find you—If you’re approved by a local gym to work on their premises, they'll often be happy to display your information in the gym. Beyond this, think about setting up pages for your business on social media platforms and putting up a local business listing on Google. You may even want to consider running some advertising.
• Make it easy for your clients to track their regimen—Once you’re up and running, set a schedule of available training slots and stick to it. You may also want to compile detailed notes about each client so you can stay on top of their goals. 

With Dropbox Paper, you can set your schedule and create write-ups to share with your clients. You could even create an exercise nutrition plan and share it with password protection, allowing them to confidentially record how they progressed each day.

 

8. Web Developer, Software Developer or Mobile App Developer

If you’re a skilled programmer, you can offer your services to businesses as a freelance developer.

This will follow a similar business model to the other freelance categories, like graphic design and copywriting. The key difference is that you’re providing programming services in a programming language you’re experienced with.

Some tips to consider:

• Lead with your experience and skill set—While you may be something of a jack of all trades, it can help to put your best foot forward and lead with your biggest area of expertise. A business looking for a React developer will pick a freelancer who advertises themselves as this over a more generic “experienced developer” listing.
• Set yourself up on freelancer directories—As with the other freelance categories, get yourself set up on popular freelance directories like Upwork and Fiverr.
• Get organised—Think about setting up cloud storage to keep all your work in one place and make it easy to share files when you need to. It’s likely you’ll be working with GitHub and other directories provided by your clients. But for everything else, including your invoices and project planning, you can securely store and share it with cloud storage.

 

9. Virtual Assistant

A lot of businesses and entrepreneurs need help handling incoming calls and managing their schedules but can’t afford to bring someone in full-time.

If you’re skilled at organisation and project management then a solo business providing virtual assistant services might be ideal for you.

A virtual assistant provides everything an in-office assistant typically would while operating remotely from their home. That could include things like file management, administrative tasks, meeting organisation and taking calls.

If this sounds like a dream then consider these thought starters:

• Develop your skills—Ensure you’re confident with booking appointments, making travel arrangements, managing calendars, sending emails and social media management. To boost your confidence, it might help to participate in a course designed around these skill sets.
• Showcase your skills—You may want to create a website with a portfolio of your skills, testimonials from past clients and details around your services.
• Equip yourself with the best project management and organisation tools—With Dropbox Paper and other productivity tools, you can help your clients reinvent their workflows and operate more efficiently.

 

10. Events Planner

Do you throw the best parties? When you find your friends scrambling, hopelessly trying to plan their next big trip, do you often need to step in to get the job done?

A solopreneur career as an event planner could be your calling.

Events planners specialise in, well, planning events. They could be wedding planners, festival organisers or party planners—to name just a few examples. They’re skilled project managers who typically make their money by providing planning services to groups looking to host an event.

Here are some tips for those looking to break into this alluring industry:

• Get qualified—Event planning and management can be a lot more complex than it may seem at the surface level. There are plenty of specialised courses available to bring you up to speed with the intricacies, which can help you feel more prepared.
• Get experience—People are going to want to know that they can trust you with planning and managing their event. If you haven’t got formal career experience in this category then think about how you can provide some events planning services to friends and family for free. You could even throw some events in your local community to get a taste of the job.
• Get organised—With so many moving parts, it’s key to always be one step ahead of the game. That’s why Dropbox project management tools are perfect for any budding event planner.
• Get creative and make a splash for your clients—Event planning isn’t just about project management. It’s also about listening to your clients’ ideas and bringing them to life on a budget. Mood boards and visual examples can be a great way to win over clients in your early conversations. Dropbox Paper can be a perfect place to drop a variety of images, video, GIFs and sounds as well as detailed timelines for your proposals.

11. Artisan, Craft Designer or Etsy Seller

Do you love to create things? If your work is good enough to sell, why not make it your business?

Whether you have skills in crafting jewellery, woodworking, knitting, artwork or anything else, there could well be an audience out there that would like to buy your products. One of the most common ways for solopreneurs to operate their craft business is through Etsy, an online marketplace for independent craftspeople and designers to sell their products.

If you’d like to try your hand at turning your crafting hobby into cash, consider these tips:

• Choose your craft—think about your skill set and what people might be willing to buy. If you’re an artist or graphic designer then you might want to sell prints or design customisable birthday cards. If you work with wood then you might prefer to specialise in creating customised furniture pieces. It might help to look at what’s currently available on Etsy and use this for inspiration or to identify gaps in the market.
• Set up your seller profile—once you’ve got a target market in your sights, it’s time to set up your business. The easiest way to do this is to create a seller account on Etsy to make your business discoverable, receive customer orders and process finances. It’s free to set up a shop but you’ll need to pay a $0.20 fee per item you list on Etsy for four months. Alternatively, you could set up your own website or take orders through social media.
• Make a good impression—consider hiring a professional photographer to capture your designs in their best light. It also helps to spend some time thinking about the name and branding of your shopfront to make sure you convey the right message to potential customers.
• Think about fulfilment—how will you deliver your items to customers? If you’re selling tables, your delivery needs will be vastly different than those who sell customised greetings cards. You might also want to think about where in the world you’re willing to deliver to and whether customs laws would incur additional fees.
• Keep good financial records—this isn’t just a hobby any more, it’s a business and it will pay in the long run to stay on top of your bookkeeping. Not only will it help you to keep track of any legal or tax information that you may need in future but you’ll also be able to analyse performance data and optimise your business to focus on the products or services that turn the highest profit. 

Dropbox makes it easy to store and organise digital copies of your financial records. Plus, you can back them up to ensure you’ve always got a copy for safekeeping.

 

12. Dropshipper

Continuing the theme of online sales as a one-person venture, a new type of seller has started to emerge in recent years. Introducing: The Dropshipper.

What is dropshipping? It’s a new approach to ecommerce through which a seller processes customer orders without directly having those goods in stock. Think of it like curating a list of products, which customers can then choose to buy from your shopfront.

When a customer completes their order, your shop automatically sends the order request to the wholesale supplier of the product. The supplier then prepares your customer’s order and delivers it to them.

As a dropshipper, you play the role of tastemaker and your value to customers is in sourcing and recommending products.

If this sounds like your bag, here are some things to think about:

• Choose your niche—while not crucial, it can help to choose a particular category you want to specialise in. For example, if you’ve got a good eye for design, you could focus on interior design and furniture. Alternatively, if you’re passionate about parenting, you may want to specialise in products for new parents and their babies.
• Find your supplier—outside of yourself, the dropshipper, the other major parties in the process are the manufacturer and the supplier. You’ll need to find a product supplier who’ll then work with the manufacturer to source the products and keep a stock of them to send to your customers. You can find suppliers through databases like Alibaba and AliExpress or through an integrated supplier directory, like DSers, in your store’s back-end.
• Build your ecommerce store—you’ll need an ecommerce platform to handle your orders and showcase products to your customers. You could set up your own website or work with an ecommerce platform, like Shopify. Make sure that you spend time getting the look and feel of your shopfront just right, as first impressions can be crucial to closing a sale.
• Keep your finances organised—once your dropshipping business is up and running, you’ll need to have your finances in order. Ideally, you’ll want a business checking account into which all revenue is deposited and all expenses are withdrawn. This way, you’ll have a single account to review for account purposes. 

You may also need to think about VAT if you’re based in a country that collects VAT and the customer is also ordering from your country. With so many financial records, it can help to use a secure cloud storage and record management solution like Dropbox to keep everything safely in one place.

With Dropbox, you don’t need to go completely solo

Being a solopreneur can be a fantastic way to enjoy the freedom that comes with running your own business and the first step is to decide on a business idea.

Once that’s settled, it’s time to bring in some support. Not employees—but rather the Dropbox suite of tools and features. Each one will help you to spend less time trying to stay organised and more time delivering for your customers.

Dropbox is designed to make your working day as collaborative as possible. Simple, secure file sharing and cloud storage are only the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before you start collaborating in real time across huge distances or receiving live feedback and annotations on your latest video project. You can even set up an automated cloud backup of your computer—just in case the worst happens and you need to restore your files later.

So whether you're working alone on a project or want to invite clients into a space to provide feedback on the work you've delivered, Dropbox has a feature to help.