Individual Solopreneur & Solo Business Coaching

What is a Solopreneur?

If you run a business with 3 or fewer employees, you are part of a dramatically growing sector that generated $1.1 trillion in revenue and grew 11 times faster than the overall U.S. labor force in 2014. Looking to build careers that offer flexibility, freedom, and autonomy, solopreneurs are clearly here to stay and represent a lifestyle that offers a comfortable income and an attractive alternative for self-actualized, highly motivated individuals.

Creatives who run solopreneur businesses:

• graphic designers
• interior designers
• photographers
• makers and artists who create functional and representational art
• musicians
• creative consultants and project managers

Technical and Design Consultants who run solopreneur businesses:

• technical writers
• data and business analysts
• architects and landscape architects and designers
• marketing analysts
• software developers
• technical project managers

Healing Practitioners who run solopreneur businesses:

• acupuncturists
• nutritionists and dieticians
• speech pathologists
• naturopathic doctors
• massage therapists
• counselors
• coaches

Why Solopreneur Coaching?

Whether you’re looking to start a solo-run business or move it to the next level, my solo entrepreneur coaching services can provide the framework and guidance you need to earn more money, keep your life balanced, and focus your passion for your business so that it sustains you emotionally and financially through the tough times and lets you do your best, most fulfilling work as it starts to grow.

I understand that many solopreneurs aren’t necessarily fixated on growing as fast as possible -- you’ve either accidentally stumbled into entrepreneurship or have purposely built a small venture in order to preserve a balanced, independent lifestyle. That doesn’t mean, however, that you don’t want to earn a comfortable income -- in fact, the number of independent workers who earn more than $100,000 has risen 22% since 2012. It just means your quality of life is as important to you as making a decent living.

My Approach

As long as I can remember I’ve considered myself a writer and a storyteller. It infuses everything I do, including how I solve problems. That’s why I started a women’s magazine in my thirties (see My Story to the right). I knew that most women’s magazines insulted our intelligence. My solution? I started my own women's magazine. To get people excited about it, I shared a story about the day I decided to start Nervy Girl while reading an article in Cosmo entitled "DOs and DON'Ts on a First Date." Without a trace of irony, the article suggested to its readers that they laugh hysterically at every joke and be careful not to appear to be “too intelligent.” This story struck a chord with people, and attracted like-minded women (and men) to share my enthusiasm for Nervy Girl, compelling Portland businesses to increase their ad support for with every issue and our readership to boom.

I know that people who start businesses start from a place of passion and a desire to change the world in ways large and small, and I understand how difficult the "road less traveled" can be. I’ll lend my passion for storytelling to help you tell your story. When you can speak with enthusiasm about your business, you’ll live up to Goethe’s quote that “Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” As a seasoned entrepreneur, I’ll also keep you accountable and motivated, helping you focus and develop a business mindset without losing your affection for what you do.

Contact Kristin to schedule an appointment or schedule a free 20-minute call

Kristin Schuchman, MSW

Career Counselor
Solopreneur Coach

Kristin received her Master's in Social Work at Portland State University and trained as a counselor at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM).

Spark a Career
6018 SE Stark Street @ Brightside Coworking
Portland, OR 97215
kkschuchman@gmail.com

My Story

I stumbled into solopreneurship myself. I started a magazine called Nervy Girl in my early thirties that built a large, loyal following; met a need I had to create a magazine that didn’t insult women’s intelligence; and grew its advertising base with every issue. Just as we were poised for ultimate success -- a $100,000 PDC loan to take it to the “next level” and compete in a national arena -- the bottom fell out. We’d grown too fast, taking on commitments we couldn’t meet and closed the magazine less than 4 months. (We did pay the $100,000 back, however.)

I learned a lot of painful lessons with that experience and vowed never to start a business again. Three years, I changed my mind. Forced to rebuild my career while pregnant with my second child with an 18-month-old baby at home , I decided that a little freelance grant writing made sense. I could work from home; my husband could pursue his MBA and work full time, and I could keep my mind active and continue to earn a salary. It was meant to be temporary, but over time I realized I could make better money with more flexible hours and better working conditions if I continued to freelance. Without planning to, I had become a solopreneur.

Solopreneur Packages

Below are the four packages for solopreneurs or individual sessions. I also offer an initial “walk-and-talk” session to first-time clients in the form of a 1-hour walk in Mt. Tabor Park.

Spark! Choose-a-Business Package

Seven 55-Minute Sessions

$695 (includes 2 assessments and a Spark! Solopreneur Workbook)

If you know you want to start a solopreneur business but not sure what type of venture you want to start, this is the package for you. By the end of the Spark! Package, you’ll have a clear vision of your business idea and a preliminary business plan to help you launch your business successfully.

1. Passions & Interests
2. Personality
3. Values
4. Skills + Experience
5. Business Themes
6. Business Idea Focus
7. Preliminary Business Plan

Fired Up! Start-a-Business Package

Seven 55-Minute Sessions

$695 (includes a Fired Up! Solopreneur Workbook)

If you know what type of solopreneur business you want to start but need some motivation and guidance to get started, the Fired Up! Package will do just that. At the end of this package you will have a solid social media and marketing plan, know your target client inside out, understand how to register and form your business, create a basic message and complete a mini business plan.

1. Values Assessment
2. Skills Assessment
3. Business Name & Identity
4. Technology & Social Media
5. Target Client
6. Capacity Building/Subcontracting
7. Basic Message or 3-Page Business Plan

Reignite! Set Your Business on Fire Package

Seven 55-Minute Sessions

$695 (includes 2 assessments and a Reignite! Solopreneur Workbook)

It happens to the best of us. You start a business that you are over the moon about and a short while later (usually about 18 months), you’re in a full state of overwhelm, feeling frustrated and dictated by the business that was supposed to give you a new lease on life. In the Reignite! Package we’ll not only look at what isn’t working, we’ll determine if your temperament is suited for your business model and how we can make it start working for your lifestyle, help you regain control over it, and make it earn the income you need. We’ll also review your branding, social media plan, web presence, and target client and you’ll recraft your basic message and create a mini business plan.

1. Intake Session & Personality
2. Passions & Interests
3. What Isn’t Working + Inner Conflicts
4. Branding & Identity
5. Web Presence + Target Clients
6. Marketing & Social Media
7. Basic Message or 3-Page Business Plan

Individual Solo Business Coaching Sessions

Just need some help getting some polishing some marketing copy, choosing the right website platform, determining an effective networking strategy, or puzzling through a solopreneurship conundrum? I'm happy to meet with you for an individual session, whether you need a sounding board or someone to help you more deeply reflect on your current strategies.

$105 per 55-Minute Session

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