Building a Successful Solo Business

Not everyone is meant to run their own business.

I see nothing wrong with being on someone else’s payroll, even better if it’s doing something that really lights you up. And then there are those of us who are no longer fit to work for others!

For those of you who know you fall into the latter category with me and you want to know what you need to do to be successful as a coach or a healing practitioner, here are my top five six, yes SIX, must-do steps to create a successful, thriving, PROFITABLE business.

1. Commit!

Your number one mantra must be, “I will do what it takes to make this a success on my terms.” Period, end of story. You MUST get off the fence. My pal Michele Woodward once told me it takes an average of three years to create a business that will pay you what you would make at a normal job. I found that so comforting and before I was profitable, I would remind myself of that to renew my efforts to show up and keep doing the work.

So, whether you are in, or whether you are out – be honest with yourself. To be successful you must commit 100%.

2. Invest in yourself and your business.

If you have made the commitment to be successful, it’s time to invest in your own work and in your business. When you work in the healing and personal or business development arena, your primary job is self-actualization. The more you clear out the self-limiting crap that gets in your way, the more effective you will be with your clients. The more effective you are with your clients, the happier they will be to pay you handsomely and refer you. It’s a happy cycle. Don’t shortchange yourself – invest in your own work.

This applies to your business skills, too – don’t let a lack of skills stop you. You can hire it out, or you can learn it. If you have committed to creating a successful business, get the help you need. It’s out there. Making the commitment means doing what it takes to set yourself up for success as a kick-ass business owner.

3. Choose your comrades wisely.

Surround yourself with people who are successful – the kind of people who have created what you most desire. Let go of the people who have nothing but excuses and see only limits.  Yes, it’s true, there are lots of coaches, yoga teachers, and healing arts practitioners who don’t make it for a variety of reasons. But there are just as many who do make it. Pay attention to those people and learn from them. Surround yourself with people who light you up, believe in you, and are committed to living their own true desires and want you to live yours, too.

4. Stop apologizing and get out there!

What is your vision? To make that happen, you are gonna need to get out in front of people, without shrinking or apologizing. There is no quick fix and manifesting clients through law of attraction only works by getting out there and taking action that is aligned with clear intentions.

So, thank you fear and get moving. And while you are at it, go ahead and give up on perfection. You are going to keep evolving and changing  – so get out there – now. Put yourself in front of your ideal people with offers that compel your peeps. Write a blog, consistently. Talk to people about what you are doing. Ask for referrals. Look for the opportunities that are always presenting themselves and take advantage.

A special note on apologizing: If you find yourself energetically apologizing for yourself, which might look like doubting your ability, underpricing your services, or shrinking back a bit when asked to talk about what you do… go back to number two and see this as an indicator that it’s essential to do some deep work around your relationship to money, work, and worth.

Seriously. Your business success depends on unwinding your legacy around money and worth.

5. Take feedback seriously – without making it personal.

There are so many reasons that an offer might not be well received and none of them are about you, per se. If someone doesn’t want what you’ve got right now, it is just feedback. Don’t make it mean something it doesn’t (like, I must be a crappy coach).  However, it does behoove you to listen to that feedback – what is my natural audience saying with their comments, their readership, their sharing, and their purchasing power? Take note.

It’s also valuable to notice if YOU are in alignment with your offers – if an offer isn’t flying, look at the offer itself and the clarity of the language. Check in with your intentions for creating the offer in the first place – quick money and/or that sounds like a good idea offers often flop.  It may be that the offer isn’t really aligned with your true desires – look at it from every angle, looking for information.

Use any and all feedback to move forward in ways that are at the intersection of what lights you up and what serves your ideal client.

6. Say thank you – for all of it

Too often our focus is on the negative perspective: “I ONLY have two clients.” “I don’t know what I’m doing!” “I suck at business.” “I will never make a living as a life coach/healer/teacher.”

I get it. I’m a natural complainer. Left to my own devices, I would complain nonstop. Complaining and worry are a fast track to a feeling of contraction and failure – a less than ideal state to be in when you are trying to build a business based on healing and transformation

Making gratitude a habit is one of the best things you can do for your business.

Instead of, “I only have one client.” Turn it into, “I am so lucky that I have a client who pays me to do what I love!! I can’t wait to work with more people just like her…” Instead of, “I hate marketing.” turn it into, “I love to create offers that truly serve the people I love to work with!”

Instead of, “I never have enough time.” Turn it into, “I have one hour – what would be fun AND make a big impact in that time??”

Doesn’t that just feel better?

Say thank you for anything and everything – even the stuff that is a challenge becomes grist for transformation. Put up a sticky note, keep a journal, write gratitude notes to yourself in places you will see them – make it a practice and notice what happens – I’m positive you will be delighted.

What are your keys to success? What are the practices that make your business hum? Share in the comments!

Namasté, yoginis.

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