The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business | Elaine Pofeldt
Today on Live with Bottleneck, we look into entrepreneurs who are attaining a seven-figure revenue in a business without manning any staff. One of these million-dollar solopreneurs is Elaine Pofeldt.
Elaine is an independent journalist who specializes in small business, entrepreneurship, and careers. She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business and is also currently writing a new book, Tiny Business, Big Money (September 2022).
One-Person Business
Elaine briefly lets us into her personal and professional background and how these events have led her to establish her own business. She shares the advantages of remote work and how there are no substitutes for the amount of flexibility that comes with having your own business. She points out that the disadvantages are still apparent although pale to comparison.
“I don’t think you have enough margin in terms of time when you have a traditional job, unless it’s extremely flexible. So that is such a nice part of it. Whether you have children or not, just being able to decide what’s important to you, and what you love, and then carve out the time. And as long as you get your projects in, who really cares right?” – Elaine Pofeldt
Freelancing
On this topic, Elaine talks about how a vast majority of one-person businesses began only after people lost their jobs. This push has led them to loving the autonomy and freedom that comes with their own business. Thus, when asked, they would never consider going back to how they were before. She encourages individuals to take control of their life and create their own career path, rather than staying dependent on a system that is designed to phase anyone out.
“I hope that there will be some positive that comes out of that, you know. In that people will discover new skills, they’ll reach out to their support networks, and deepen their relationships with other people. They’ll think about maybe some skills that they used in previous jobs that they haven’t used for a while and dust them off. And consider trying things they haven’t done in a while. I do think this can be an opportunity for rebirth for people. And I see that with the one-person business. ” – Elaine Pofeldt
Networking
Elaine inspires individuals to surround themselves with people who share the same belief system as themselves. She shares the importance of forming bonds with others in order to pave the way to success. Through this, one can find people who are genuinely interested in building business and personal relationships as well.
“In your own business it’s just so personal, because it’s a one-person business. It’s naturally a force field that pulls people to you that are like-minded. Then you get to meet their friends too and you make introductions. I’m always surprised by how many of the people I know, know each other” – Elaine Pofeldt
To know more about the million-dollar one-person business, watch this episode.
Bio:
Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist who specializes in small business, entrepreneurship and careers. She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, a look at how entrepreneurs are hitting seven-figure revenue in businesses where they are the only employees (Random House, Jan. 2, 2018) and is writing a new book Tiny Business, Big Money for W.W. Norton & Co. (September 2022).
Her work has appeared in FORTUNE, Money, CNBC, Inc., Forbes, Crain’s New York Business and many other business publications and she is a contributor to the Economist Intelligence Unit. She is also a ghostwriter.
Connect with Elaine!
Web: ElainePofeldt
Web: TheMllionDollarOnePersonBusiness
Linkedin: linkedin.com/elainepofeldt
Facebook: fb/elaine.pofeldt
Twitter: @ElainePofeldt
The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business
Book coming soon! Tiny Business, Big Money (Upcoming, 2022)
About Jaime Jay
Meet Jaime Jay – a man who wears many hats, and wears them all admirably. He's a master connector, an entrepreneur extraordinaire, and a published author who knows how to get things done.
Before he found his way to the business world, Jaime served his country as a brave paratrooper in the U.S. Army. But that's just the beginning of his many accomplishments.
He's the founder of the renowned Bottleneck Distant Assistant Services firm, and his book "Quit Repeating Yourself" has become a must-read for entrepreneurs everywhere.
When he's not busy building his empire, you can find him on his beloved Harley Davidson, cruising through the countryside and taking in the invigorating effects of Uitwaaien – a Dutch practice that involves facing the wind to boost health and relieve stress.
He enjoys spending his free time outside building stuff with his wife, Nikita the dog and their two kittens (for now at least) Tommy and Tater.
He is ‘over-the-moon’ happily married to his wonderful wife Sara, his amazing daughter, Jessica, who is serving our country as a United States Army soldier. Jaime and Sara are the proud grand parents of two beautiful little girls.
Get Your Book Now!
Quit Repeating Yourself provides guidance for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and managers to help prevent unknown challenges from ruining their business.
