Being a Solopreneur Leader - It's All About Your Mindset — Assoc. of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs

You’re a company of one. All alone in handling the day-to-day tasks and making the decisions that will build your brand and your business to profitability. Does the word leadership apply to you?

Typically when we think about leadership, we think of directing other people or being a positive example and motivating employee productivity. It’s the “top dog” of a company or organization, the person in charge either by default or by the process of election.

Leadership for a solopreneur is not going to be the same that you see exhibited in the typical corporate world.

There’s no next level or succession ladder for you to climb. You might think the concept doesn’t really apply to you or your business, but there is so much more to leadership than simply leading others.

LEADERSHIP is a mindset.

Here are 4 ways you will shine as a solopreneur leader:

LEAD THROUGH SERVICE. There are many opportunities to share your knowledge and expertise as a mentor or volunteer. Solopreneurs demonstrate leadership when they are serving others.
Service can be spending time with students, a budding entrepreneur, or a non-profit organization that supports something you are passionate about. Service builds community around you and your business and is the foundation of loyalty. When you are willing to serve others, they will see you as a leader and honor your wins and accomplishments. Leading through service offers you a chance to share knowledge and surround yourself with others who find joy in your success.
Organizations like AMSE offer us these connections and provide opportunities for service. Consider someone within your AMSE network you admire. Have they served you in some way?
LEAD YOURSELF. Always look for opportunities to grow your strengths and bolster your weaknesses. This means accepting help and reaching out for advice in areas you do not excel. Leadership is as much about recognizing when it’s time to follow others and provide them a platform to share their expertise as much as demonstrating your own.
Have you stopped and looked inward to evaluate your “lead yourself” health? Nobody understands what actual level of success is found in your finance, marketing, public relations, or productivity departments better than you. Take charge of your weaknesses and make changes to ensure you have assessed areas of improvement that can build your business profitably and grow your brand in the way you want.
LEAD WITH STRENGTH. My guess is that you jumped feet first into the unknown at least once or twice or way too many times during your entrepreneurial journey. Was every leap a success? Probably not. I know I’ve stumbled and failed along the way. The best advice has always been to learn from your mistakes, brush yourself off, and try again.
Leadership comes from your losses and your wins. Recognize that others are watching what you do with each and every experience.
Your example is setting the foundation for your children, family members, friends, and colleagues to see what is most important to you and learn from how you deal with disappointment and difficult situations.
Leading with strength is not winning all the time but still pushing on through the challenges that we face as solopreneurs and business owners.
LEAD WITH VISION. Burning the midnight oil or waking up hours before everyone else - entrepreneurs are the first at work and the last to leave. We get done what has to be done because we see possibility, potential, and have a vision of an amazing future far beyond what our small business currently is.
Remind yourself not to compare. Your journey is your own and to lead with vision means you forge your own path without trying to accomplish exactly what everyone else has.

Leadership as a mindset ultimately brings satisfaction in our work and pride in our accomplishments.

We may not realize it at the time, but we are inspiring and motivating ourselves to be more productive with the ultimate outcome of greater profitability. As a fellow solopreneur, I want you to know that we can and do shine bright as leaders.

Anna Larson is a 15-year military spouse, entrepreneur, and homeschool mom of 2 amazing kids + 1 fur baby. She started her own business after nearly 20 years in marketing and program management. NomadAbout offers comprehensive marketing solutions, website design, copywriting and social media management.

She contributes monthly to a number of publications, hosts a weekly podcast and livestream business show called 15ish Minute Coffee Chat, sits on a board as the Director of Operations for a non-profit that offers support to cancer patients, and co-leads the Fort Hood chapter of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs.

In her spare time, she likes to travel the world and have amazing adventures with her family. She can’t decide if exploring glaciers in Switzerland, standing in the shadow of Burg Khalifa, or zip-lining at Victoria Falls is her favorite so far. You can also find her with her nose in a book or sitting poolside for relaxation.