One piece of advice

Sam Leader We know this newsletter’s readership includes a number of individuals who would love to fly solo, but aren’t. If you’re lurking in the wings of the solo stage, then this one’s for you.

An array of questions face you and your fellow would-be soloists.

“How will I cope financially?”
“Will I be good enough to compete?”
“Is working alone going to be enjoyable?”

It may seem that the old hands have all the answers here, but I can assure you that is not the case, necessarily. The key difference, though, is that once you’re a soloist, such questions stop being theoretical and start being practical. You’ll find the answer because you have to.

In the end, I believe there is only one major question facing you, which is “Am I willing to take the leap of faith?”

All of life’s big decisions require such a leap and soloism is one that, once taken, is rarely regretted. A bit like parenthood, I imagine.

I know that of all the soloists involved in Flying Solo, from the contributors to the readers, a vast majority would urge you to do it. We think the view from the solo stage is brilliant and we want you up here.

So would-be soloists add a comment and tell the world what’s holding you back. And those already flying, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give to those who have yet to go solo?

Mine would be to peruse our website’s Starting Out section for inspiration.

Until next week.

Love your work,

Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and its editor. She is the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.

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One of my first baby steps into Flying Solo was to take on a voluntary role as the Tuckshop Treasurer at the kids school. The role allowed me to learn a lot in my own time at my own pace. I then looked around, and I asked people who were doing what I wanted to do, if I could do work experience for them. Both 'baby steps' did not take up much time, demonstrated I had the discipline to work on my own, developed some important relationships for me, and provided me with lots of practical experience. I do not think you need to have the mindset, that you will just quit your job one day, and start flying solo the next day. Look at all the pathways and options that are available to you. Heather Smith from Brisbane
What's holding me back, as a "would-be soloist" is pretty much everything you've listed in your article! But like Heather has mentioned, I am taking lots of baby steps, edging closer to doing this "for real". I'd have to say the biggest thing holding me back is lack of financial security, at least in the beginning stages of my business. As a photographer, I have the feeling of not being good enough to compete in the industry, but try to keep reminding myself that they all had to start somewhere, and they too had to grow. I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's advice on this too :) Renee Caldwell from Brisbane
I was lucky when I first went flying solo almost ten years ago now, thanks to a great multi-national account that gave me a wonderful safety net. But one thing I wish I'd done earlier: sourced an accountant who is a true business builder, not a bean counter! My first accountant looked at my profit in the January and commented 'i'm not sure what to do about that, most of my clients make losses' - YIKES! Then I found a passionalte,inspiring accountant who wanted to help grow my business, encouraged profit and gave me the tools to predict cash flow, read a balance sheet, profit and loss etc. These were the true tools that allowed me to work on my business, not just in it. Philippa Lowe from Sydney
My one piece of advice would be "Just Do It" (sorry for the cliche) and if you are an extrovert, make sure you have a "sounding board" - like your business coach or a couple of people you respect, who you can bounce off regularly - and who'll remind you of your "why" when you start to doubt yourself! Karynne Courts from Sydney
I have so many ideas I find it hard to decide which one to focus on and run with. Taking action is a major weakness too - I am really comfortable in the realm of endless possibilities, but am not an action oriented person. I think I need to hook up with more entrepreneurial types who are great at the action stuff, so I can concentrate on my unique strengths which are creativity and innovation. However I have no clue where to start looking for a business partner who shares my same visions. Any ideas? Alexandra Marshall from Sydney
My one piece of advice is "Don't think you necessarily have to have a killer business idea to start a business". Of course, it's great if you do come up with the next big thing, but I feel too many would-be soloists delay and agonise over coming up with that one elusive unique idea before getting started. Remember, that thousands/millions of successful businesses exist in all kinds of everyday businesses. If you choose something you enjoy and something you're good at then you can be one of them. Once you're up and running I think you're then in a great position to find unique innovations to differentiate yourself and find your industry's next big thing. Peter Crocker from Flying Solo | Read my articles

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