The Solopreneur's Journey: Four Essential Pillars for Success

Writer Bio:

I am Dr Austin Tay, an organisational psychologist, coach, workplace bullying expert, ACT practitioner, pracademic, educator, podcaster, and blogger. I am the founder and principal consultant of OmniPsi Consulting, as well as the host of PsychChat. I am passionate about networking, and if you would like to connect, please do so through Linktree.

Finding Your Way When You're Your Own Boss

I am a psychologist, coach, workplace bullying expert, pracademic, educator, technology enthusiast, and networker. I must admit, this introduction can vary depending on who I am talking to.

This brings to mind my identity. I can never quite reconcile the fact that I am also a solopreneur. When I first started working in my younger years, it never occurred to me that I would end up doing the things I love. When I was growing up, my two aspired careers were a chef or a lawyer. Although I was almost a lawyer, I do not claim that I am anywhere close to a chef (even though I do like to eat and cook!)

The transition from working for others to working for myself wasn't planned—I fell into it, not by choice but by circumstances – the Asian Financial Crisis in the early 2000s and my wanting to go back to learning.

Over the years of working for others and myself, I realised that there are a few things one needs to adapt to and maintain to enjoy being your own boss. These are my personal experiences, but if they resonate with you or you think they could be helpful to someone else, please pass them on.

The Foundation: Being Truthful to Yourself

Know what you are good at and what you are not.

You'd be surprised how many of us live in denial about our abilities. I remember when I first started my consultancy, I thought I could handle everything—from my own website to managing my finances. The website looked like it was designed in 1995, and don't get me started on my first attempt at bookkeeping. I have since managed to get a grip on how to finesse my website and have someone else help with my accounting.

The turning point came during a client project where I was entirely out of my depth with the process for a large-scale assessment. Instead of fumbling through it and potentially compromising the client's experience, I admitted I needed help. That moment of honesty not only saved the project but also led me to understand that people are generally willing to offer help when asked.

There is no shame at all because let's face it, they are way too much to learn and time is never enough.

Here's something I've learned: the moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing. In my field, new research emerges constantly, workplace dynamics evolve, and technology changes how we deliver services. I used to feel inadequate when I couldn't keep up with everything. Now I see it as exciting—there's always something new to discover.

I recall having reservations about starting a podcast. I was overwhelmed with fear and negative thoughts about whether people would actually want to listen to me and whether I would sound convincing in what I put out! However, I then had a great conversation with a peer who had already started podcasting and was obviously enjoying it. His encouraging words made me realise that I should not let my own fear cause me to miss an opportunity. Today, I host my own podcast, and I still look forward to sharing my knowledge with my listeners every time.

Ask others for help when needed.

This might be the hardest lesson for many solopreneurs. We're independent by nature, which often means we're terrible at asking for help. But here's the thing—your network wants to help you succeed. Some of my best insights have come from casual conversations with fellow coaches, people I networked with and even clients. These conversations only sparked new ideas and collaboration, which I am always very excited about.

The Mindset: Being Nice to Yourself

You can have the best-laid plans, and trust me, they sometimes don't go the way you want. Take a breath.

If there's one thing solopreneurship teaches you, it's that Murphy's Law is real and it has a sense of humour. I once had two clients cancel their projects within a month, prepared the wrong script for an assessment role play, and lost my voice on the second day of the training I was running.

It was easy for me to spiral into self-blame and panic. Instead, I have learned that these moments are plot twists rather than disasters.

I saw this phrase recently -- "It's ok to be not ok" (well, it is circular and not really helpful). Instead, it is best to accept that things will go wrong, but the key is how I learn from it and move on.

The whole "it's okay to not be okay" movement, while well-meaning, sometimes seems like permission to remain stuck. What I find more helpful is reframing setbacks as learning experiences. When a workshop doesn't go as expected or a client relationship doesn't work out, I ask myself: What can this teach me? How can this make me better?

Maybe I am an optimist. When I realise that I am stuck or haven't made progress, I stop trying to find out why. Instead, this is an opportunity to observe and reflect, so being at square one can be helpful.

There's a certain freedom in admitting you're back at square one. It removes all assumptions and false starts, allowing you to see things clearly. I've had projects where I spent weeks heading in the wrong direction, only to realise I needed to start afresh. Instead of viewing this as wasted time, I now see it as research—I've learned what doesn't work, and that's just as valuable as knowing what does.

The Drive: Being Tenacious

Never let one failure dictate the rest of your life. One failure means many other alternatives you can try.

Early in my solopreneur journey, I pitched a training programme to a company I genuinely wanted to work with. I prepared for weeks, crafted what I believed was the perfect proposal, and felt confident during the presentation. I ended up redoing the proposals four times, and then they said no. Not just no, but "this isn't what we're looking for at all."

I was devastated. For about a week, I questioned everything—my approach, my expertise, maybe even my career choice. But then something shifted. I realised that their "no" wasn't a judgment on my worth; it was simply information. That rejection led me to refine my approach and better understand how to assess client needs.

If you strongly believe in pursuing something, go for it. You will be met with hurdles, but that is part of the process.

Belief without action is just wishful thinking, but belief with persistence is powerful. When I first wanted to expand my practice internationally, everyone told me it was too complicated, too risky, too ambitious for a solo practitioner. The hurdles were real—different regulations, cultural nuances, time zone challenges. But I believed in the value I could bring to organisations globally.

Today, some of my most rewarding work comes from international clients. Those hurdles didn't disappear—I just learned to navigate them. Each challenge became a skill, each problem became expertise.

Never let others tell you that you can't. Believe you can!

This isn't about blind optimism or ignoring practical constraints. It's about distinguishing between useful feedback and limiting beliefs disguised as advice. When someone says "you can't," ask yourself: Is this based on their fears or your actual limitations?

I've noticed that the people who are quickest to tell you something is impossible are often those who haven't tried it themselves or who are projecting their own limitations onto you. Trust your instincts, do your research, and make informed decisions based on your own assessment, not someone else's fears.

The Standard: Being Professional

It is easy to let profits sometimes cloud our judgment on how we should do things. Your reputation will precede you.

As a solopreneur, you ARE your brand. Every interaction, every piece of work, every client conversation either builds or erodes your reputation.

I once turned down a lucrative contract because the client wanted me to implement practices that I didn't believe were in the best interests of their employees. It was hard to walk away from that revenue, but at least I didn't compromise my integrity.

Never sacrifice standards; ethics and doing the right thing should not get in the way of your work.

Your standards aren't obstacles to success—they're the foundation of it. When you consistently deliver quality work, treat people with respect, and stand by your values, you build something more valuable than short-term profits: you build trust.

This means having difficult conversations when necessary, setting clear boundaries, and sometimes saying no to opportunities that don't align with your principles. It also means delivering your best work even when no one would know if you cut corners, because you know.

Learn continuously. You can never learn enough. You don't need to enrol in the most expensive courses; utilise your network, and you will be amazed at how much others are willing to share their knowledge.

The most successful solopreneurs I know are perpetual students. But learning doesn't always mean formal education or expensive certifications. Some of my most valuable insights have come from conversations over coffee, webinars, and books.

Your network is one of your most significant learning resources. People love to share their expertise when you ask thoughtful questions and show genuine interest.

The Journey Continues

Being a solopreneur isn't just about running a business—it's about designing a life that aligns with who you are and what you value. It's about having the courage to bet on yourself while staying grounded in reality. It's about building something that matters while staying true to your principles.

The journey isn't always easy. There are moments of doubt, financial stress, and the occasional existential crisis about whether you're on the right path. But there are also moments of profound satisfaction—when you solve a problem uniquely, when a client achieves a breakthrough, when you realise you're exactly where you're meant to be.

If you're considering the solopreneur path or you're already on it, remember: you don't have to have all the answers from day one. You need to start with authenticity, commitment to growth, resilience in the face of challenges, and unwavering professional standards.

The rest? You'll figure it out as you go. And that's perfectly okay. 

PBI Perspective:

Being your own boss isn’t just about running a business, it’s about designing a life aligned with your values. I really resonate with the four pillars highlighted here: honesty with yourself, self-compassion, tenacity, and professionalism. Solopreneurship is full of unexpected challenges, but it’s also where growth, learning, and meaningful impact happen. A great reminder that setbacks aren’t failures, they’re stepping stones