Why I Am Not a Solopreneur…and Likely Never Will Be.
I forget who is credited for this quote, but I once read somewhere, "I would rather earn 1% off 100 people's efforts than 100% of my own efforts."
The bottom line is that I refuse to "hustle like mad." I've always had a job since I was 12 years old. I still recall the conversation with my Dad as I asked him to sign the special slip that allowed me to work underage as a tutor at my middle school.
"Why are you doing this? You have the entire rest of your life to work."
The truth was, I wanted candy and snacks, and I was tired of asking my parents and getting the "Why do you need candy?" response.
Because I like it, that's it.
It turns out my father was right. I really would be working for the rest of my life. Sometimes, I got two jobs depending on what I was saving for. I was ready to put in the work for what I needed and wanted. By the time I got to college, my work ethic had allowed me to fund my books, food, transportation clothing, and mostly meet all of my out-of-pocket expenses. My parents gave me money here and there to be supportive, but I could tell they were proud of my determination and drive. At some point, though, the hustle got old. Student loans came into the picture, and they felt like a mountain I could not overcome. "Just work harder" was not getting it, and that principle balance was not decreasing.
Like a good student, I started to read. What did everybody else know that I didn't? Why was this first-gen struggle SO hard? Then it dawned on me that the 9-5 wouldn't take me over the rainbow. This debt would stare me in the face for the next thirty years if I depended solely on my day job to pay for it. At the same time, I was physically tired from working since I was 12. I wasn't about to do any extra physical labor. #RestIsResistance #NapMinistry
In came the world of digital marketing and content creation. I could do work one time, develop a system to put it on autopilot, and allow it to generate income. My husband, who is in IT, opened my eyes to so many possibilities that did not involve "getting another job." Through collaborating with other content creators, we could create revenue that added to our income without ruining our health or giving up all of our free time. Fast forward to today, I have been thoroughly indoctrinated. I am allergic to solopreneurship or the "just get another job" theology. It's the collective lift for me. It's the brilliant minds coming together for me. It's not solely depending on my effort so that everything doesn't fall apart when life happens because I needed to say, "I did it all by myself."
I didn't do it all alone, and I am super proud to say that out loud. 🙂