What it really takes to build a solopreneur business IN ONE BOOK
Stop Guessing Your Way Through Solopreneurship
A practical guide to building a business that gives you the life you want.
If you’re a solopreneur, you’ve probably done a lot “right.”
You’ve worked hard.
You’ve tried smart ideas.
You’ve followed advice that should have worked.
And yet…
You still find yourself wondering:
- What should I be focusing on right now?
- Is this actually moving my business forward, or just keeping me busy?
- Why does improving feel harder than it should?
The hardest part isn’t effort.
It’s not knowing what the next right move is.
If you’re just starting out as a solopreneur, you’re doing your best to get things right from the beginning.
You’re learning fast.
You’re taking advice seriously.
You’re trying to avoid mistakes that will cost you later.
And yet…
You still find yourself wondering:
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What should I focus on first?
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How do I know this is the right way to set things up?
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Am I building a real business. or just experimenting without direction?
The hardest part isn’t motivation.
It’s not knowing what the next right move is.
Meet the Authors:
Joe Rando and Carly Ries
We’ve spent years as solopreneurs ourselves, and helping countless others do the same.
We’ve seen what actually works.
We’ve seen what sounds good but falls apart in real life.
And we’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way.
This book exists for one reason:
To give solopreneurs a clear, proven way to build or improve their business without guessing.
1
Understand where your business really is
2
Focus on the few things that actually matter next
3
Build deliberately, one step and one cycle at a time
So progress compounds instead of resetting.
By the end of this book, you’ll be able to:
- Stop second-guessing your decisions
- Know why you’re working on what you’re working on
- Make improvements that actually stick
- Build a business that supports your income and your life
Not overnight.... Not magically.
But steadily, clearly, and sustainably.
If nothing changes, guessing continues.
That usually leads to:
- More effort with diminishing returns
- More complexity instead of clarity
- A business that quietly consumes more time, energy, and attention than you intended
Not because you failed, but because you never had a clear framework to work from.
Here’s what you’ll actually learn without the fluff or scale-bro hype:
Define your goals
Design your business around your life, not someone else’s idea of success.
Create your product
Figure out what to sell, and price it with confidence, not guesswork.
Market your business
Attract the right clients without turning into an algorithm-chaser.
Choose the right tools
Don't waste time and money. Use only the tools that actually move the needle.
Continuously improve
Follow a built-in process to track issues and make your business better every year.
Imagine having a business that grows because it’s designed well, not because you’re constantly pushing harder.
That’s what this book is designed to help you build.
This Book Is Not for Everyone
This book is not for you if you’re looking for:
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Shortcuts or passive income schemes
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Startup, VC, or “scale at all costs” advice
Motivation without decisions
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Someone else to tell you to hustle harder
But if you want a business that:
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Makes sense
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Grows deliberately
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And fits your life instead of overwhelming it
You’re in the right place.
FAQ
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What exactly is this book about?
Solopreneur Business for Dummies is a practical guide to building or improving a one-person business using a clear, repeatable framework. It helps you define your goals, design an offer that fits your life, attract customers ethically, and run your business with clarity, without relying on hype, shortcuts, or passive-income promises.
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How is this different from other business books?
Most business books focus on growth, scaling, or startup-style businesses. Solopreneur Business for Dummies is built around the Solopreneur Success Cycle, a framework created by Joe Rando to help one-person businesses grow in a way that supports the owner’s life, not the other way around.
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Is the book for beginners or experienced solopreneurs?
Both. The book is designed for aspiring solopreneurs getting started, solopreneurs who feel stuck or overwhelmed, and experienced solopreneurs who want to improve or redesign a business that’s no longer serving them.
Wherever you are, the book focuses on clear next steps and practical decisions, not theory or overbuilt business plans meant for investors or large teams.
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What if I’m not sure I’m “cut out” to be a solopreneur?
That’s one of the problems the book is designed to solve. It helps you evaluate whether solopreneurship fits your skills, goals, and life, and shows you how to shape a business around those realities.
Worst case, you gain clarity and avoid committing to a path that isn’t right for you.
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Who is this book NOT for?
This book is not for people looking for shortcuts, passive income, or startup-style advice focused on scaling fast. It’s written for people who want to build a sustainable one-person business that fits their life.
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Do I need an existing business to use this book?
No. The framework works whether you’re just getting started or improving an existing business. You apply the same cycle based on where you are now.
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Is this book about online businesses only?
No. The principles apply to service businesses, product businesses, online or offline—any business run primarily by one person.
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Does this book focus on mindset or practical steps?
This book focuses on practical decisions and actions. While mindset matters and the book does have a section on it, the emphasis is on what to do next and why, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Do I need a business plan to use this book?
No. The book helps you create a Solopreneur Action Plan instead of a traditional business plan, which is often unnecessary for one-person businesses without investors or employees.
Look what other solopreneurs are saying about Solopreneur Business for Dummies...
GREAT resource for us solopreneurs! This book is SO helpful! As a professional and personal coach AND first-time solopreneur, I found it to be a bit of a life raft for me. It breaks down the business side of coaching (things like pricing, marketing, and systems) in a way that feels doable and not overwhelming. I loved how practical the advice was, and it gave me great ideas for making my business run more smoothly. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling encouraged and like you really can do it!
Kari Boatner
Professional and Personal Coach
This book is perfect for me as a business owner! It covers all of the things that “aren’t my core business” that I’m not good at and gives me a solid set of advice, tips, and techniques for how to tackle them without having to spend money on consultants or specialists (or at least defer that spending) so I can focus on my actual business and serving my customers. I also appreciate the humor and the voice that the authors bring to the book - it’s relatable, fun, and clear that the authors have been living the Solopreneur life themselves for quite awhile!
Kyle R
Business owner
Such a useful manual for anyone running their own business!
P.S.M.
Business Owner
This book is exactly what you need for your solo journey. It will help at all stages of your business. So much useful advice to overcome hurdles you may face at some point along the way. If you are just starting out, be sure to read this!
