The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business

The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business walks you through starting, scaling, and ultimately enjoying the fruits of a small but high-revenue company, providing countless tips, tactics, and case studies for solo entrepreneurs who want to build a business with minimal overhead and zero staff.

When you go to Examine.com, a website dedicated to the latest research in supplements and nutrition, you’ll see a sleek, professional design, thousands of free articles on health, food, and supplements, and a feed of the latest studies, updated daily. You’d never guess it’s run by a single person, but, by and large, it is. Founded by Sol Orwell in 2011, Examine relies on freelance journalists. It is funded by its over 13,000 paying members.

Examine is an example of an informational content creation business — just like Four Minute Books — and that’s only 1 of 6 kinds of businesses you could start:

E-commerce businesses can now manufacture and ship products all over the world without a single employee, thanks to marketplaces like Alibaba and shipping services like Amazon. Manufacturing can happen right in your home, from making nutrition bars for new moms to sending honey around the world! Informational content creation requires lots of thinking and research but can be done with nothing more than a laptop and some grit. Professional services can get by with only a few clients if they charge premium prices. You could be a one-person marketing agency, solo consultant, or public speaker for hire, for example. Personal service firms, like diet coaches and personal trainers, guide a few individuals through a big transformation. They also only need a few clients to thrive. Real estate is just about the only industry where a single sale can net you an annual salary as a payday. It is also very competitive but highly localized. With lots of expertise and contacts, you can make a killing.

What do you think? Which kind of solo business feels right for you? Take your time, then pick, and let’s get going!

Especially in the early stages, launching a business is tough. Plus, unless you’re still a teenager or already rich, you’ll likely have other commitments. A full-time job, family, or health issues that need looking after, for example. Pofeldt lists 4 options for getting your one-person empire off the ground: Become a master side hustler. Solo businesses are all about efficiency. If you only have one or two hours each week to work on your company, you’ll ruthlessly prioritize what you do — but you’ll still rack up 50-100 hours over the course of a year! Work, save, and quit. Focus on making as much as you can from your day job, then save until you’re ready to…