Let’s talk about them.

Stage 1: Six Months In—The Comparison Trap

You’re about six months into your business. You’ve launched, you’ve posted on social media, and maybe you’ve had a few clients or made a few sales—but it’s not growing the way you imagined. You start looking around, seeing others who seem light-years ahead. The comparison game kicks in hard. You start wondering, What am I doing wrong? Why isn’t it working yet?

This is the moment when isolation feels sharpest. You're not new anymore, but you're not "there" yet. Here's the truth: this stage is a gift—but only if you use it wisely.

If things feel slow, take that as a sign to go back to your systems. Are your workflows set up? Are your offers clear? Is your customer journey solid? This is the time to refine your foundation. Because once momentum hits, it gets harder to pause and fix what’s broken.

Also, don’t stay stuck in your own bubble. Reach out to the pillars of your community—the people who are actually making things happen. Ask them what your community really needs from a business like yours. You’ll gain clarity, confidence, and connections that can lift your business and your spirits.

Stage 2: A Year and a Half In—Drowning in Your Own Success

Fast forward a year. You’ve been grinding, building, and saying “yes” to everything. And now…it’s too much. You’re doing the work of three people. The loneliness now isn’t from not being busy—it’s from being buried. You’re overwhelmed, maybe even resentful. And the kicker? You did this to yourself.

Chances are, this stage came because of the first one. In the early days, you said yes to every opportunity, every client, every job, because you were trying to get traction. And it worked! But now, you’ve outgrown that hustle-mode strategy. It’s time to check in with your capacity.

What are you offering that’s no longer sustainable? Where can you streamline? What can you hand off?

This is the moment to pause and ask, Do I need help?

The answer might be yes. And that’s not a failure—it’s growth. You can’t scale a solo act forever. Whether you bring in a VA, hire a contractor, or collaborate with others, your future success depends on your willingness to build support around you.

Both Are Real, Both Can Be Handled

Whether you’re in the “it’s not happening yet” stage or the “it’s all happening and I’m exhausted” stage, know this: you are not alone in feeling alone. Solopreneur ship asks a lot of us—vision, grit, resilience—but it doesn’t have to be isolating.

Use the quiet times to build your foundation. Use the busy times to build your team. And throughout it all, stay connected—to your community, to your purpose, and most importantly, to yourself.

You’ve got this. And when you need help, it’s okay to ask for it.