The Truth About Growing a Solopreneur Consulting or Coaching Business

If you're a consultant or coach trying to grow a business without building a big team or a traditional firm, you're not alone. I recently completed a full brand relaunch that revealed some surprising truths about what it takes to sustain long-term success as a solopreneur and trust me, it’s not just about marketing or aesthetics.

Get the real, unfiltered truths behind my post-sabbatical business relaunch and what I learned about sustainable success over time as a consultant, coach and solopreneur... and it’s not what I initially thought.

In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on:

• What most of us don’t fully get about growing a solopreneur business
• The signs we often miss when we’re ready for success
• The real purposes of working on your brand positioning, messaging and website – and why it’s ultimately NOT a marketing exercise
• Secrets to aging online with grace and power
• My specific evolution - what’s new and what’s staying the same
•  

The Unexpected Spark That Started My Business Relaunch

During a sabbatical, I had no plans for a full business transformation. But one storytelling event, and a wardrobe crisis, sent me on a journey to rediscover who I was and reclaim the parts of myself I had abandoned.

Yes, the moment began with having no pants, literally. But figuratively, it represented something bigger: I had traded parts of my old consultant identity in favor of a more "creative" one. Reclaiming my suit wasn't about fashion, it was about power, presence, and owning the wholeness of my professional identity.

The Stages of Solopreneur Growth (That No One Talks About)

Most consultants and coaches start by freelancing. Referrals roll in, subcontracting pays the bills, and everything seems fine. But staying in this phase too long leads to stagnation, burnout, and feast-or-famine cycles.

Here’s what I now understand:
Solopreneurship has stages. And if you don’t recognize them, you might misread signs of growth as signs of failure.

Key inflection points include:

• Moving from referrals to a sustainable business model

• Pivoting your niche (e.g., from corporate clients to individuals)

• Raising your prices and going after strategic engagements

• Becoming a thought leader (speaker, author, podcaster)

Each phase demands not just new messaging or marketing, but a redefinition of your professional identity.

When Brand Repositioning Becomes Identity Work

The biggest mistake I made? Thinking rebranding was just about clarifying my services. In reality, it was about repositioning my identity and my value to match where I was headed, not where I had been.

That’s when the messaging clicked. My website now speaks to:

• Consultants who feel like they’ve outgrown their current stage

• Coaches ready to stop spinning and start scaling

• Purpose-driven solopreneurs craving clarity and confidence

From Freelancer to Thought Leader: The Internal Shift

Consultants who want to remain solopreneurs often struggle with visibility, not success.

We’re not afraid of success itself, we’re afraid of what that success demands:

• Stepping into the spotlight

• Showing up consistently

• Posting photos of ourselves over time (wrinkles and all)

Aging online can feel vulnerable. But it's also a mark of wisdom and sustainability. When I compared my old and new headshots, I didn’t just see age, I saw power.

Why Rebranding Is More Than a New Logo

Here’s what changed on my website and why it matters:

1. About Page

I placed all my work under the umbrella of 30 years in the transformation industry. My past as a Disney consultant? Still part of me. My work with purpose-driven solopreneurs? Built on that same foundation.

2. Services Page

I ditched generic “get clarity” messaging. Now, I speak to crossroads moments—career transitions, pivots, and growth spurts. Messaging should reflect the stage your clients are in, not just their surface-level pain points.

3. Testimonials and Differentiators

I used real client feedback to define my edge:

• I “get” the complexity of what they do

• I turn chaos into clear messaging

• I’m a strategic partner—not just a service provider

4. Free Resources

I created five new offers, including an audio training:
“From Playing Small to Playing True.”
Because that’s the real transformation happening here.

The Hardest—and Most Liberating—Decision

For the first time, I showed up in a suit.

Not because I’m going corporate again, but because I’ve embraced every part of me: strategist, storyteller, solopreneur, mentor. No more choosing one identity over another.

And if I want my clients to show up in their full power, I have to lead the way.

Ready for Your Next Level?

Ask yourself:

• Are you playing small even though you’ve outgrown your current results?

• Are you avoiding visibility even though you want more impact?

• Are you craving growth without the chaos of a full firm?

If you're at an inflection point, label it, own it, and then realign your messaging, offers, and presence to reflect where you're going, not just where you've been.

Success Isn’t a Straight Line, It’s a Series of Crossroads

Every inflection point is a choice. You can keep doing what’s safe… or you can expand. If you're choosing expansion, remember: you’ll need to elevate everything... your identity, your brand, and your belief in what you're here to do.

And if you need help with that? That’s what I’m here for.

Next steps:

• I’d love for you visit my website and check it all out: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/ 
•  Download my freebies: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/opt-in 
• Email me at [email protected] and let me know what you think – and  about the typos you’re bound to find (remember it’s success not perfection, but the perfectionist in me will want to fix it!)
• And if you’re on the cusp of your next level and wants a partner to get you through your transformation faster, with less spin, more focus and greater clarity and confidence, I’d love to help you. After you check out my website, hit the big button at the top to request a discovery meeting to get started.

About me: 

Betsy Jordyn is a brand messaging strategist and business mentor for purpose-driven consultants and coaches. With a background in organizational development—including a consulting career with Disney—she helps experts clarify their unique value, position themselves strategically, and build businesses that deliver impact, income, and personal fulfillment. Connect with Betsy Jordyn to clarify your message, elevate your brand, and attract the clients you're meant to serve. Start here → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services