The Aspiring Solopreneur 231. 7 Failure Modes That Can Sink Your Solopreneur Business
You’ve worked hard to get your solopreneur business off the ground, but what happens when things start to stall, or worse, head in the wrong direction?
In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dig into the “improving” phase of the Solopreneur Success Cycle. They uncover the seven most common failure modes that can quietly sabotage your progress, from burnout and stagnation to external threats and even your own mindset.
Whether your business is thriving or just surviving, these insights will help you spot trouble early, course-correct with confidence, and keep your business aligned with the life you want to live.
Popular Questions and Answers From The Episode
What’s the first thing solopreneurs should address when improving their business?
If there’s an existential threat, that has to come first. These are big, business-ending issues—like a major competitor undercutting your prices, new technology disrupting your industry, or a business model that simply isn’t working. Before worrying about tweaks or small improvements, solopreneurs need to tackle these threats head-on to ensure survival.
What are the “seven failure modes” solopreneurs should watch out for?
Joe outlined seven common failure modes:
- Misalignment – your business no longer matches your goals or interests.
- Overload – you’re working too much and burning out.
- Money problems – not enough revenue or profit to sustain you.
- External risks – outside forces like platform changes or new competitors.
- Stagnation – growth stalls or customers start slipping away.
- Execution failure – not delivering quality results to clients.
- Psychological barriers – mindset issues like fear, procrastination, or undercharging.
Recognizing which one you’re facing is the first step toward fixing it.
How do solopreneurs know when it’s time to reimagine their business?
It’s time to reimagine when your business stops serving your life. Even if it’s profitable and running smoothly, if you’ve lost enthusiasm, feel misaligned, or your personal goals have shifted, that’s a signal to step back. Sometimes improving your business isn’t about fixing broken systems—it’s about reshaping it so it supports the life you want today, not the one you wanted years ago.
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