Marking Two Years of Solopreneurship: Lessons & Reflections
After two years on the solopreneur path, I’m sharing the real lessons, mindset shifts, and milestones.
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Two years ago, I left the traditional path to become a solopreneur.
Since then, I’ve launched a Substack, built digital products, and hit a growth tipping point that changed everything.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far and where I’m heading next.
TL;DR Version of 5 Lessons from 2 Years as a Solopreneur
Consistency > Motivation
Value Grows Audiences
Writing sharpens thinking
Systems > Hustle
Freedom = Responsibility
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The Leap
On 18 August 2023, I took the leap.
No boss. No roadmap.
Just me, a laptop, and a belief that I could carve my own path.
Fast forward to 18 August 2025, and here I am…
Two years into the solopreneur journey.
It’s been equal parts freedom and friction, clarity and confusion.
But most of all, it’s been worth it.
This post is a look back (and a bit forward): milestones, mindset shifts, and lessons I hope will resonate with anyone on the same path or just thinking about it.
Year 1 Recap: Laying the Groundwork
The first 12 months were a hustle of a different kind.
Not frantic (maybe sometimes…), but focused.
Here’s what happened in Year 1:
Navigated uncertainty with no safety net.
Focused on learning: workflows, habits, and the basics of solopreneurship.
Built foundational routines around writing, creating, and staying consistent.
Defined my core themes: purpose, clarity, freedom, and sustainability.
No major wins.
Just slow, intentional building.
But that set the stage for everything that followed.
Substack Launch: A New Chapter
One pivotal move happened eight months into the journey: I launched my Substack on 18 April 2024.
That changed everything.
Read about my first year in Substack
With weekly publishing, I had a home for my ideas.
A place to serve, build trust, and connect directly with readers.
From that point forward:
Audience started growing steadily.
I released the Solopreneur Success Playbook, my first major resource.
The habit of weekly writing created momentum, both in business and thinking.
Substack became my amplifier.
It’s a platform for feedback loop of creation, connection, and clarity.
Key Achievements in Year 2
So, what’s happened over the last 12 months?
Here’s what I’m proud of:
✅ Published 184 posts on Solopreneur Code (and counting)
Since launching in April 2024, I’ve published 184 posts without missing a beat.
I send out two emails every week: one on Thursday, one on Sunday.
Sometimes I have extra post. These will be published without sending as email.
The rhythm never breaks.
Showing up consistently builds trust even when growth isn’t immediate.
✅ Substack Grew to 4,090+ Subscribers
No viral moments.
No “big breaks.”
Just slow, steady growth and a visible spike around June 2025, 14 months after launch.
I can’t point to a single reason why.
But I can say: consistency compounds.
This feels like the result of showing up again and again even when it felt like no one is watching or reading.
✅ Featured Multiple Times on Substack’s Rising in Business List
Being listed in Substack’s Rising in Business category gave my work greater visibility and I’m genuinely grateful for that recognition.
It was never the goal but I do believe that consistency and value got me there.
✅ Launched Digital Products That Help + Sell
Over the past year, I’ve released multiple digital tools and resources, all focused on one thing:
Helping solopreneurs get unstuck.
Yes, they’ve generated income.
But the focus was always: Does this help someone today?
If it does that, I believe the revenue follows.
Check out my full listing of digital products.
✅ Released an AI-Powered Hook + Content Generator
True story:
I once spent 45 minutes trying to write a single Threads hook.
Frustrated, I gave up and made coffee.
That’s what sparked the idea:
Why not build something that helps solopreneurs generate hooks faster and smarter?
So I built and launched the AI Hook + Content Generator and shared it with everyone.
Problem → Solution → Shared (or Sell).
That’s how I build.
✅ Readers Took Action (and Told Me About It!)
I’ve received messages from readers saying:
They launched their own newsletters
Built their first products
Gained clarity from something I wrote
Those messages?
That’s the fuel.
That’s what keeps me writing everyday.
See what people are saying about me :)
The Real Win…
The numbers matter because they show momentum.
But what matters more?
Building trust
Earning attention
Staying consistent, especially when it’s quiet
That’s how growth happens… over time.
Lessons From Year 2: What Really Mattered
Here are the standout lessons that shaped Year 2 and that I wish I can emphasise to all any solopreneurs who can read this:
1. Consistency > Motivation
Motivation fades.
Systems carry you.
Showing up weekly builds confidence, credibility, and compound growth.
2. Value Grows Audiences, Not Volume
Posting more doesn’t mean growing faster.
Helping people solve real problems builds loyalty.
Every post has to earn its place.
3. Writing Sharpens Thinking
Each weekly draft isn’t just content, it’s clarity.
Writing consistently has helped me articulate ideas, structure frameworks, and stay focused.
4. Systems Matter More Than Hustle
Forget grinding 24/7.
Creating clear workflows (draft → publish → promote → celebrate) keeps the engine running without burnout.
5. Freedom Comes With Responsibility
Sure, I set my schedule.
But I also own the outcomes.
Solopreneurship gives you time freedom and full accountability.
That’s a powerful combo.
The Growth Tipping Point
If Year 1 was “push,” then Year 2 introduced “pull.”
At some point, I can’t even say exactly when, I hit a growth tipping point.
Here’s what that felt like:
More people started discovering my writing organically.
Opportunities came to me… podcast invites, product collabs, strategic intros.
Revenue streams (even small ones) started to feel predictable.
This wasn’t magic.
It was momentum.
The hardest part of solopreneurship?
Staying consistent long enough for momentum to take over.
Most people quit before they get there.
But if you can stick it out just long enough, the path starts working with you, not against you.
Year 3: Depth Over Growth
Looking ahead, I want to go deeper, not just wider.
Here’s my Year 3 focus:
Keep writing weekly insights - not just tips, but deeper thinking around solopreneurship, clarity, systems, and freedom.
Launch new digital products - rooted in real needs from my readers.
Growth is good.
But growth without alignment burns you out.
So for Year 3, the theme is: Depth, Not Just Scale.
A Note of Thanks
If you’ve ever read, replied, shared, or supported my work.
Thank you.
You’re the reason I keep showing up.
Every message that says, “This helped me,” or “I needed this today,” that’s motivation.
Solopreneurship isn’t just about business.
It’s about living intentionally while doing work that reflects who you are and how you want to live.
If you’re already on this path, or just thinking about starting, I hope this post reminds you:
You don’t need to go fast.
You just need to keep going.
Show up long enough to reach your growth tipping point.
I’ll be here… writing, reflecting, building.
Let’s see what Year 3 brings.
Top 2 Questions People Always Ask
How long does it take to see results as a solopreneur?
Longer than you think, but probably less than you fear.
Most give up too early.
If you stick with consistent action for 12-18 months, you’ll likely hit your own tipping point.
What’s your biggest lesson from two years?
Consistency wins. Period.
It’s not flashy, but it’s what separates the winners.
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"Consistent effort over the long run is everything," - Angela Duckworth.
Interesting Substack Posts I Read This Week:
My Favorite Link Organizer 🔗 by
Why Most Products Don’t Sell (Even If They’re Great) by
How I Built a Three-AI Newsletter System That Writes With Me, Not For Me by
andEverything you need to know about GPT-5 by
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Anfernee
I'm so impressed by your productivity Anfernee! You should definitely be proud of everything you've achieved. I love learning from you.