Can I Really Be a Solopreneur? Actually – I – Can!
I am reflecting back over the past week—reflecting on Twin Cities Startup Week 2019 and thinking about all I learned or re-learned during the experience. I am also thinking about how empowered and inspired I have become, through talking and networking with other smart, talented entrepreneurs. Talking with entrepreneurs who shared their stories, including the ups and downs of being in business for themselves and who provided ideas and resources to help the rest of us, in our personal business ownership journeys.
Williams Brand Consulting Background
I started Williams Brand Consulting in January 2013. In February 2013 I took a full-time job at a great agency in Minneapolis. Yes, one month later! I worked as a leader within the Minneapolis-based agency for just under 4 years before moving to a corporate leadership role in late 2016.
In February 2019, after never working in my own business or on my own business, I stepped away from my corporate leadership role and decided to give entrepreneurship a try (again?).
First I spent a couple of months working with my husband on his business, T.Will Sports. Then I joined forces with Authentic Brand, a marketing consultancy with a fantastic Fractional CMO community. I jumped two feet into working with Authentic Brand as I took on a role within their business development discipline, for 20 hours per week and a Fractional CMO engagement, with one of their clients, for an additional 20 hours per week. Between the two roles, I was working 40+ hours per week and billing as an independent consultant. I was doing it–I was independent and billing within my business. Yes? No!
After several months (a short timeframe based on my track record) I realized I was not truly functioning or working as an entrepreneur – I was not working on my business or in my business. I had once again taken a safer / more comfortable route that kept me from really trying my hand or taking the risk of being a solopreneur.
What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur / Solopreneur?
This question was top of mind for me when I attended the Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW19) kick-off event with my husband and fellow entrepreneur last week.
My husband is a born entrepreneur—he is comfortable with the unknown and enjoys taking on new challenges without a safety net. That’s not me. I constantly ask myself if feeling comfortable jumping without a safety net is a mandatory characteristic of an entrepreneur. I have always been an analytical, data-driven learner and problem-solver, not a true risk-taker.
I decided to use TCSW19 as a platform to help me gain the qualitative and quantitative data I needed to determine what it means to be an entrepreneur. I also wanted to determine, once and for all, if I am or could be an entrepreneur—or if maybe I had been an imposter posing as an entrepreneur / solopreneur without knowing it.
My Twin Cities Startup Week Experience
Over the past week, I participated in as much of TCSW19 as I possibly could, while still meeting my daily obligations. Through the fun and new experience, I challenged myself to get out of my way / out of my comfort zone and to soak in as much of what was being shared as possible. I talked to people I normally wouldn’t have had a conversation with, I exchanged business cards, I connected with people on LinkedIn, I scheduled follow-up coffee meetings and most of all I learned a lot.
Key learnings I will keep with me as I continue down this solopreneur journey:
· Networking isn’t easy for most people: I thought it was just me, but I discovered that when I walked up and said, “Hello”, the person on the other side of the handshake was often relieved—relieved because they didn’t have to take the first step. And once the first step was taken and the first “Hello” was spoken, people were generally happy to chat.
· Not all entrepreneurs are alike: I obviously knew this to be true of people in general, but this week served as a reminder that there isn’t a specific ‘type’ of person who is an entrepreneur. And that is okay.
· Not all entrepreneurs are 100% sure: I had the perception that other entrepreneurs were mostly confident and knew they’d made the right decision. I had the perception they all had no doubts about being an entrepreneur. Of course, these were silly assumptions and I appreciate the openness, transparency, and vulnerability of so many fellow entrepreneurs who shared their stories.
I know I still have a lot to learn and countless opportunities to improve, grow and evolve my business. With all of that said, one thing is for sure, I know that I made the right decision this time.
Today I am proud to say that I am the Founder and Marketing Consultant at Williams Brand Consulting–because actually, I can be a solopreneur.
Kelli Williams is the Founder of Williams Brand Consulting, Co-Founder of 40 Acres Investments, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer for multiple MN-based businesses, and a Public Speaker.
Williams Brand Consulting is an independent marketing consultancy providing services that range from Fractional CMO: senior-level omnichannel marketing strategy and team leadership on a long-term basis to strategic project expertise: ad-hoc / project-level expertise available to support short-term projects and initiatives. Contact us to learn more about how an outside-the-box approach to fulfilling your strategic marketing leadership needs may help build a strong marketing foundation and future growth.
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