How To Start Your One-Person Business

Photo by Mikey Harris on Unsplash

I’ve been watching Dan Koe’s YouTube videos about the one-person business. He gives actionable advice on getting started for those with a 9–5 job, which can be challenging.

To begin your one-person business, sell your skills and time. Aim for people who are 2–3 steps behind you.

For example:

• If you are a designer with five years of experience, start a coaching business for designers in their first year.
• If you are an email marketer or SEO specialist, offer those services or freelance to other businesses in different industries.

You already sell your skills to one customer: your employer.

-Dan Koe

If you can convince one customer to purchase your skills, you can persuade others to do the same. Here are 4 actionable steps to begin your one-person business:

1. Brainstorm the skills you use in your 9–5 job.
2. Rank them on a 1–10 scale based on their value to the market.
3. Look at others in your industry to see if they have done the same thing.
4. Copy their offer, but apply it to a different market segment.

The one-person business is gaining popularity in entrepreneurship. Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, it is simple to get started, especially if you work a 9–5 job.