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Hey Reader,
\nThere are 3 paths to entrepreneurship. Two of them are recipes for disaster. But one, if you're anything like me, is the formula to unlock all those big, beautiful entrepreneurial dreams you have.
\nWhen I first started my business in 2017, I was shocked by how easy it was to land new clients. In my first 2.5 years in business, I grew, grew, and grew.
\nI started out delivering demand-generation strategies for early-stage startups and agencies that were ready to grow their revenue.
\nI had a clear vision for my business—what I did, who I did it for, and why they needed it.
\nClients loved my strategies and could see the way implementing them could change the trajectory of their business, but they rarely had the staff or time to execute themselves.
\nSo I did what every mentor, advisor, and expert told me to do—I built an agency.
\nI listened to what the market (my clients) wanted and did whatever I could to give it to them. I addressed demand with a viable, revenue-generating solution.
\nI joined forces with an outsourced sales agency and, as CEO, I took us from $40k in MRR to $90k in only 6 months and with a small team of only 7 people. Even when we decided to part ways, and I went back out on my own, I rebuilt again. Taking my nimble team of 4 to $50k in MRR.
\nI felt so damn proud of myself for hitting impressive revenue milestones and landing sexy venture-backed clients.
\nThis was the definition of success. Wasn’t it?
\nBut it wasn’t until February, 2020 when I realized why maybe…just maybe…this wasn’t the right path for me.
\nI won’t go into all the details here, but you can read more about it in a LinkedIn post where I covered the whole story.
\nBut the short story? I was burned out.
\nI had built a business centered around all the marketing work I hated doing and wasn’t really all that good at.
\nI listened to the market, but I didn’t listen to myself.
\nDuring COVID and following my eye-opening, transformational trauma (again, I’m not going to go into all the details in this email, but you can read the full story here), I decided to rebuild. But doing something that spoke to ME.
\nAnd what followed was what I’ve come to see as the feast-or-famine life of being a solopreneur.
\nI had no control over my income, my work, or my life.
\nI had huge months, followed by barren months.
\nOverall, I did okay, but it was so stressful that it sapped my confidence, my courage, and my faith in myself.
\nIt was so bad, that when I got approached about a job offer, I took it. Not gonna lie, the job sucked, but it helped me hit the reset button on this whole entrepreneurial journey of mine.
\nSo when I got laid off a year later (again, here’s the whole story), I knew I needed to seize the moment and do it differently this time.
\nThis is where Solo CEO comes from.
\nFrom my experience of being exactly where you are and knowing in my heart that there must be a better way.
\nI'm thinking about adjusting the days that I send these newsletters. Currently, I sent business strategy issues on Sunday, and mindset during the week. Should I change that?
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Thank you!
\nThere are three paths open to you. I’ve taken all three now, and let me tell you, there really is only one that will create the kind of life and business that you seek.
\nThis is where most entrepreneurs start, even though I skipped this one only to come back to it later. And I want to be real, I am not judging or criticizing anyone in this stage. It’s incredibly common, and very little guidance out there teaches you how to overcome it.
\nYou’re probably working 20% harder than you did as an employee, but for less pay.
\nAnd you have no idea how to get off the feast-or-famine rollercoaster and finally achieve the kind of entrepreneurial financial freedom you dream of.
\nOften, we think acting like a traditional CEO will get us out of this grind and help us build the kind of life and business we know is possible. It’s tempting. And it may even be “smart.” But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
\nIn my experience, it’s a recipe for burnout.
\nYes, building this way can look damn impressive and can absolutely make you a ton of money. But at what cost?
\nFor me, it cost my health, my happiness, my self-belief, and even my values.
\nI believe that the path to true freedom and impact comes from balancing the wants and needs of the market with your unique differentiation, your authentic self, your ideal life—YOU.
\nI call that beautiful, magical intersection the Solo CEO Sweet Spot.
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\nAnd you find that sweet spot through three pillars.
\nIf you’ve been struggling to nail consistent revenue or stop the pendulum swing toward burnout, this is the path you’ve been looking for.
\nI can almost guarantee that you will want to resist this path. Every expert, guru, and coach has told you that the answer lies in fancy marketing —more lead magnets, more funnels, more content, more DMs.
\nBut here’s what I know. If you do all of that BEFORE you get clear on the foundation of your business, you will just throw money, time, and heartache down the drain.
\nInstead, slow down to find the clarity that will unlock the future you seek.
\nTake the time to identify your unique differentiation, your ideal client, the outcome you deliver for them, and why they need it so badly.
\nWhen you are clear on this, literally EVERY SINGLE PART of your business becomes easier. That is not an exaggeration.
\nStop making it so hard for ideal prospects to get started with you. Start with an offer that is a no-brainer for them, and that makes it easy to expand into a higher-ticket, longer-term engagement for you.
\nYou aren’t just getting started in business. Even if you’re a new entrepreneur, you have a network of people who know, like, and trust you. Use them.
\nSo far, every client I’ve worked with has sold their first few offers this way. You have more support, resources, and willing buyers than you think.
\nOnce you are clear on your One Thing and have a validated offer, then it makes sense to start designing your growth engine.
\nNow, you’re ready to start creating content, building lead generation systems, and mastering the art of selling to strangers. You’ll have proven results, testimonials, and ideal client insights to know exactly how.
\nBut without that foundation?
\nYou’ll just be throwing shit at the wall and praying it will stick (Pssst. It rarely will).
\nIf you’re stuck in solopreneur land or teetering on the edge of CEO burnout, there is another way.
\nAnd it’s one that will not only make you more money but will feel damn good doing it.
\nIn love and growth,
Kasey
\nApply to join The Solo CEO — Right now, I'm rebuilding The Solo CEO experience to give it 10x more detail, more support, and more accountability. If you're ready for a new chapter in your business, apply and let's talk.
\nGet My Annual Review & Goal Setting Templates — These are the notion templates I use to plan my year, quarter, month, weeks, and days. They have been game-changing for me and my business.
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\n\n\n | 4207 SE Woodstock blvd #300 , Portland, OR 97202 | \n\n |
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Evolving overworked & underpaid Solopreneurs into calm, confident CEOs of high-profit businesses through a bespoke design of strategy + branding + systems + mindset. 2x weekly newsletters on tactical business strategy and mindset.
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