From Solopreneur to Entrepreneur: Making the Shift

When I started my first business at 27, it was just me, my partner PJ, and a spare guest room that doubled as an office. While that time was filled with excitement and a lot of firsts, it was a lot to manage. I was wearing all the hats, figuring things out as I went, and honestly, I didn’t even know how to hire a team, let alone manage one. But I knew I wanted to move from solopreneur to entrepreneur and grow something truly unique.

Fast-forward to today and I’ve grown, scaled, and even sold multiple businesses. And along the way, I’ve learned this one thing: your success depends on the people around you — your team, mentors, and collaborators.

If you’re a solopreneur ready to take the leap to entrepreneur, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m walking you through:

• What it means to move from solopreneur to entrepreneur
• How to figure out your next steps
• What it takes to build the team that will help you grow

Let’s dive in!

What Does It Mean to Go From Solopreneur to Entrepreneur?

First things first — what does this transition even look like? Moving from solopreneur to entrepreneur is about going from doing everything yourself to leading a business that doesn’t rely entirely on you. It’s about stepping back from the nitty-gritty tasks so you can focus on the big-picture stuff: growth, strategy, and your vision.

Here’s the catch: there’s no one-size-fits-all path. Your journey might look different from mine, and that’s okay. Let’s break it down into three levels to see where you are now and where you might want to go.

1. The Solopreneur

Ah, the solopreneur life. You’re the CEO, the bookkeeper, the marketer, and probably a very incapable IT person. It’s where most of us start, and it’s not all bad — total control, no team to manage, and a lot of flexibility. But here’s the downside: burnout. There’s only so much one person can do, and scaling a one-person operation? That’s tough.

2. The Micropreneur

Next, we have the micropreneur. You’ve hired a bit of help (maybe a virtual assistant or a social media manager) and you’ve started implementing systems. Things are running smoother, but you’re still the one plugging holes when things go sideways. You’ve got more leverage than before, but you’re still in the thick of it.

3. The Entrepreneur

Then there’s the entrepreneur level. Here, you’ve got a team and systems that can handle the day-to-day without you constantly checking in. You’re spending most of your time on strategy and growth while your business hums along like a well-oiled machine. BUT it also comes with more responsibility — overhead, leadership, and long-term planning.

Now, none of these are better than the other. Depending on who you are, how you operate, how much control you like to have — you get to decide where you want to be. Maybe a solopreneur life works for you, or maybe you dream of scaling to the point where you have ultimate leverage over your day-to-day. There’s no wrong answer, but clarity is key.

Step 1: Define Your Path From Solopreneur to Entrepreneur

Take a moment and picture your ideal business.

• Do you want a business with just a few team members?
• Or do you dream of scaling big with a full team managing the details?
• How much do you want to work?
• What kind of lifestyle are you building?

It’s okay if your vision changes over time. When I started out, I wanted to build big, scalable businesses. Now, with HerBusiness, I’m focused on a smaller, highly impactful team. Your goals will evolve as your life does, so don’t feel like you need all the answers today.

Step 2: Build Your Team (Without Overwhelm)

Building a team can feel like a big leap, but it doesn’t have to be. Start small. A virtual assistant, a bookkeeper, or a freelance designer might be all you need to get started. To figure out where to begin, answer these three questions*:

1. What do you hate doing?
   These are the tasks that drain your energy. For me, it’s social media scheduling and video editing. What’s on your list?
2. What CAN’T you do?
   These are the tasks outside your expertise. Maybe it’s graphic design, website updates, or budgeting.
3. What SHOULDN’T you do?
   These are tasks you’re good at but aren’t the best use of your time. For me, it’s admin work or fiddling around in Canva.

Once you’ve got your lists, you’ll have a roadmap for your first hires. The goal is simple: stop doing the things you hate, can’t, or shouldn’t do.

Step 3: Attract, Manage, and Retain Your Dream Team

Building a team isn’t just about hiring people. It’s about creating a business and a culture that people want to be part of. Let’s break it down.

Attract the Right People

Be clear about what you need. Don’t just look for someone to “help out.” Write detailed job descriptions that outline exactly what you’re looking for. And don’t be afraid to hire people smarter or more skilled than you — that’s how you level up.

Manage Like a Pro

Managing people is a skill you learn over time. Start with clear communication, delegate effectively, and invest in your team’s growth. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect — just make progress.

Keep Your Team Happy

Retention matters. Celebrate your team’s wins, respect their work-life balance, and give them opportunities to grow. When your team feels valued, they’ll stick around, and your business will thrive.

Step 4: Take the First Step

You don’t have to do it all at once.

Start small.

Hire a freelancer.

Delegate one task.

Write out your “hate, can’t, shouldn’t” lists. Every step you take moves you closer to the business — and the life — you’ve always dreamed of.

Choose the Business That Fits Your Dream

Not every business needs to look the same.

There are wildly successful solopreneurs, thriving micropreneurs, and entrepreneurs leading large, scalable companies. The key is to define what success means for you and build a business that aligns with your vision, your goals, and your lifestyle.

Whether your dream business is a solo operation or a growing enterprise with a team to support you, the most important thing is having access to the right tools, resources, and support to get you there.

That’s exactly what we offer inside the HerBusiness Network — a community designed to help women business owners like you take the next step. Whether you’re figuring out how to outsource your first task or looking for strategies to scale a larger team, we’ve got the resources, connections, and expertise to support your journey.

And, you don’t have to go from solopreneur to entrepreneur alone. Join the HerBusiness Network waitlist today and gain access to the tools and community that can help you turn your dream business into reality.

*These three questions are the “3 Lists of Freedom” developed by Chris Ducker, author of Virtual Freedom. I highly recommend the book if you want to grow a virtual team.