When I first set out to build my business, I was drawn to the idea of being a one-person powerhouse. The narrative of the “solo entrepreneur”— was everywhere. It promised freedom, flexibility, and the dream of doing it all on my own. But here’s the truth I learned from experience: running a business alone is not just hard—it’s almost impossible to sustain in the long term.
This isn’t something you’ll hear from the influencers touting the one-person business model. Most of them aren’t really solo—they have a team working behind the scenes. And as someone who now helps non-technical people build and launch apps in 30 days with low-code and AI, I can tell you: success as a solo entrepreneur is the exception, not the rule.
Here’s why doing it all alone isn’t just impractical but unsustainable—and what you can do to build a stronger, more scalable business.
The Myth of the “One-Person Business”
Let me pull back the curtain: those “one-person business” success stories often leave out the reality of support teams and outsourced help. I’ve watched entrepreneurs struggle because they believed the hype. Many of my clients came to me burned out from trying to handle everything alone. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly the “freedom” of doing it all turns into a cycle of overwhelm and frustration.
For any business to thrive, collaboration is essential. Trying to do it all by yourself often means sacrificing the quality and speed needed to grow your business.
You’re Losing Valuable Time Doing Everything Alone
I’ve worked with founders who juggled product development, customer service, marketing, accounting, and operations on their own—until they hit a wall. And believe me, I get it. In the beginning, you might feel compelled to handle everything. I was there too. But when you’re buried in tasks, the essentials like strategy and growth often get sidelined.
Running a business is not about how many tasks you can juggle alone. It’s about how effectively you can deploy your energy on the work that matters most.
The Key to Growth: A Small, Effective Team
From my own journey and helping others launch their businesses, I’ve seen what a difference a small team can make. With just a few key partners or collaborators, you gain the capacity to:
- Move faster on launches and new initiatives
- Scale your marketing without stretching yourself thin
- Provide better customer service, which keeps people coming back
- Tap into skills and expertise you might not have on your own
When I started delegating parts of my business, I could focus on what I do best: helping people build and launch profitable apps. And this isn’t about building a huge team—it’s about finding the right people to fill in the gaps and take your vision to the next level.
Partners Adds Energy and Motivation
Here’s something that’s often overlooked: working with a team is not only practical, it’s energizing. Before I had a small team, I faced the ups and downs of business alone. But once I started working with others, the energy completely changed. I had people to brainstorm with, share successes with, and solve problems alongside.
Running a business doesn’t have to be lonely. When you collaborate, you create a space for creativity and problem-solving that solo work just can’t match.
The Reality of a One-Person Operation: Limiting Your Potential
No matter how good you are, a one-person business has its limits:
- Market Reach: Expanding into new markets or channels takes more than one person. You’re likely to get stuck in one or two areas when you’re working solo.
- Quality and Consistency: Doing everything means something will inevitably slip. It’s hard to maintain quality across the board when your focus is stretched too thin.
- Burnout: When it’s all on you, burnout comes quickly. I’ve seen incredibly talented people burn out because they couldn’t keep up with all the demands.
Here’s Where Low-Code and AI Come In
Building an app-based business has never been more accessible, thanks to low-code and AI tools. I work with founders every day who launch businesses without needing deep technical skills or a large team. These tools automate tasks, create workflows, and simplify customer management, allowing people to build a business solo—or so it seems.
But here’s the twist: even with the best tools, scaling a business requires more than tech. It requires a team, or at least a few strategic partners, to keep things moving sustainably.
Don’t Just Hire—Find Partners
The team you build doesn’t need to be huge. In fact, finding one or two co-founders or key collaborators with complementary skills can make all the difference.
Here’s what I mean:
- Specialization: When you bring in someone who’s great at what you’re not—like marketing, content, or operations—you’re ensuring that each area of the business is run well.
- Shared Workload: Your co-founders handle the work you don’t have time for or don’t enjoy, allowing you to focus on your strengths.
- Creative Collaboration: Different perspectives lead to fresh ideas and solutions. In my experience, having another person to bounce ideas off can change the game.
- Business Stability: The more you’re able to share responsibilities, the more resilient your business becomes.
Tips to Find the Right Co-Founders or Partners
I tell my clients who are just starting out to be thoughtful about who they bring in as partners. Here’s what’s worked for me and for the founders I coach:
- Identify Your Gaps: Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. This clarity will help you find partners who complement your skills.
- Find Shared Vision: Having someone on board who shares your passion and vision is invaluable. Misaligned goals can be disastrous for partnerships.
- Stay Lean: Don’t think you need a big team. Even one or two strong collaborators can change the trajectory of your business.
- Trust and Compatibility: The right partners are people you trust and respect. You’re in this together, so compatibility is key.
Conclusion
Finding a good team takes time. You don’t have to wait till you find them.
Attract them by building your MVP and going LIVE.
Here’s how👇🏼
