Avoid the Overwhelm: 7 Mistakes New Solopreneurs Make (and What to Do Instead)
If you’ve been “doing all the things” in your business but still not seeing the results you want, this is for you.
I want you to know that the mistakes you’re making aren’t proof that you’re not cut out for this. They’re not a sign that you’re behind. They’re simply signs that you’re in the early stages of your business and that you’re ready to build something more aligned, more sustainable, and more successful.
I’ve made every single one of these mistakes myself. I see them come up again and again in client conversations, discovery calls, and those quiet moments when women ask themselves, “Why isn’t this working?”
So let’s uncover the 7 most common mistakes newer solopreneurs make and, more importantly, what you can do instead.
Mistake #1: Waiting to Feel Ready and Confident
This is one of the most quietly damaging mistakes. Many women wait for a magical moment when they’ll feel confident and clear enough to move forward - after another course, another degree, or after they feel “qualified.”
But confidence and clarity don’t come first. They come through the doing itself. If you wait, you end up stalling, second-guessing, and staying stuck.
What to do instead:
Take aligned, imperfect action, even when it feels shaky. Start before you feel ready. Speak before you have the perfect words. Sell before the funnel is complete. Launch before the path is fully mapped. Confidence is a muscle you build by using it. Surround yourself with mentors and community who can remind you of who you are when you forget. And remember, readiness is not a feeling. It’s a decision you can make today - with or without confidence.
Mistake #2: Undercharging or Pricing Emotionally
Too many women set prices from fear, guilt, or scarcity. They assume lower rates will make sales easier, or that they need to “earn” the right to charge well. In reality, this keeps them underpaid, overworked, and resentful.
I once spoke with a friend who said, “I just want to make enough to pay my bills.” She loved her work, her clients adored her, and she was incredibly talented, but she was afraid raising her rates would make her seem greedy. The result? She stayed stuck and undervalued, even though her work created huge results for her clients.
What to do instead:
Price based on the transformation you provide, not your comfort level. Anchor your pricing in value, not in feelings. You aren’t charging for your worth. You’re charging for your work and your expertise, which I’m going to guess has taken you years to build. Sustainable pricing comes from both energetic alignment and financial integrity, for you and for your clients.
Mistake #3: Trying to Market to Everyone
When you try to speak to everyone, you connect with no one. Broad, vague messaging makes it impossible for the right people to recognize themselves in your work.
One consultant I worked with had years of experience and enormous value to offer, but her message was simply “We help you build your brand.” That could mean anything. Once she got specific about who she served, what stage they were in, and the exact transformation she created, her message sharpened. The result: the right clients found her, and her business grew into the multiple six-figures.
What to do instead:
Get specific. Define who you serve, what they’re struggling with, and what outcome you help them achieve. Don’t be afraid to claim who you’re for and who you aren’t for. Speak directly to your ideal client’s pain points, desires, and inner dialogue. Clarity builds trust, and trust leads to clients saying, “This is exactly what I need.”
Mistake #4: Offering Everything All at Once
Many solopreneurs create three or four offers at once, thinking more options mean more chances that someone will buy. In reality, it dilutes your message, confuses your audience, and spreads your energy too thin. Often this comes from fear; fear of leaving money on the table, or fear that one offer won’t be enough. But more offers usually create more confusion for your potential buyers, which equals less income not more.
What to do instead:
Start with one clear, aligned, and profitable offer. Refine it, market it consistently, and deliver it powerfully. Let it build momentum before you add anything else. You don’t need more offers; rather, you need more traction behind the one that matters most right now.
Mistake #5: Copying What Worked for Someone Else
It’s tempting to look at what a successful coach or entrepreneur is doing and copy their strategy. But business is not one-size-fits-all. What works for them may not work for you, because you don’t share the same audience, strengths, systems, or season of life.
I fell into this trap myself in my first year of coaching. I tried to emulate big-name mentors who were dozens of steps ahead of me. It left me drained, misaligned, and feeling like I was constantly performing. Once I realigned my strategy to reflect who I truly was and how I wanted to show up, everything shifted. My results, my confidence, and my energy all improved.
What to do instead:
Learn from others, but customize for yourself. Build strategies that reflect your strengths, values, audience, and stage of business. Inspiration is useful, but copying leads to misalignment. The most successful business will always be the one that feels most like you.
Mistake #6: Treating Your Business Like a Hobby
If you treat your business like a hobby, it will behave like one. Inconsistent effort, loose boundaries, and always putting everything else first will keep your results scattered.
This is especially common for mothers and caregivers, who may push their business tasks to the bottom of the list. Not because they don’t care, but because they haven’t given themselves permission to treat their work like a true business.
What to do instead:
Take yourself seriously. Create structure, carve out dedicated work time, and set clear boundaries. Step into your CEO role, even if you only have a few hours a week. Prioritize not only client work but also time to work on your business. When you take your business seriously, others will too.
Mistake #7: Doing It All Alone
The myth of the “self-made woman” is just that: a myth. Building in isolation often leads to second-guessing, spinning your wheels, and unnecessary overwhelm.
I’ve mentored so many brilliant women who were stuck simply because they were alone in their heads. Once they entered a supportive space where they could be seen, ask questions, and receive feedback, they started to grow faster and with more joy.
What to do instead:
Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and community. Hire support. Join spaces where you can learn, share, and grow. Support is a growth strategy, not a luxury.
Your Next Step
If you recognized yourself in any of these mistakes, here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not behind.
You haven’t done anything wrong.
And you’re definitely not alone.
These are growing pains, not stop signs. With clarity, structure, and support, you can move forward into a business that feels aligned, joyful, and profitable.
Ready to Stop Winging It and Start Building Strategically?
That’s exactly what I’ll help you do inside Strategic Planning for Solopreneurs, my upcoming workshop. Together we’ll map out your revenue goals, offers, marketing strategy, and priorities, all in one clear, comprehensive plan that becomes your blueprint for growth.