Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tiffany Hoeckelman, founder of Lone Orange, located in Union, MO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I help overwhelmed solopreneurs scale their businesses beyond themselves with fewer headaches and more profit! I'm Tiffany Hoeckelman, and I'm the founder of Lone Orange. After 12 years as a solopreneur and serving solopreneurs, I see three crucial things that we need to build a strong business foundation.

CLEAR, POWERFUL IDENTITY
We need to be able to confidently and clearly communicate what our business is about to the world - both visually and verbally.

SCALABLE SYSTEMS
It's easy for us just to do everything ourselves because we know how we want it done. But documenting your systems makes you more effective. It allows you to start growing a team - which increases your capacity and helps you serve more people!

A TRIBE
Especially as a solopreneur, I find it critical to have a community of like-minded solos who understand what it's like to run a business on your own and who are willing to serve as a sounding board, advisory board, and cheerleader.

At Lone Orange, we address all three of these components through our free, dynamic online community, our mastermind membership, and our branding and systems coaching.

Tell us about yourself

In my last job, we had hired several solo consultants, and I recognized they really needed some support in their business, and I knew I could help them. That was the impetus behind starting my business. That led to me observing solo-business owners who were completely undermining themselves because they didn't have a strong identity and they couldn't keep all the balls in the air. And as I started to grow my branding agency, I quickly realized I had to learn how to create systems and start developing a team. These were hard things to do from scratch, and there was a lot of trial and error involved, but now these things are my favorite things to teach other people how to do! I get super jazzed about helping solopreneurs grow their businesses!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Honestly, my biggest accomplishment is still being here after 12 years. I'm very proud of my resiliency and persistence. I love being a solopreneur because of the flexibility and freedom it affords me. However, it's still can be really hard. So I'm proud that I'm still standing!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being on my own. Not having people who really understood my business and who could provide insight and feedback where I needed it the most was hard. My husband is a great listener and super supportive, but I needed people who really got me and who were invested in my success. I have sought that out for myself and am creating that for other solopreneurs because I know I'm not the only one!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be clear on the essence of your company, what you are doing, and who you best serve - and then LIVE IT!
  2. Start documenting your systems now (if you haven't already). Even if you never intend to hire a team member, you'll make your life so much easier because you won't have to recreate the wheel every time you do something.
  3. Find a tribe of like-minded business owners who will support you where you're at and hold you accountable to where you are going.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I love that there have been so many new solopreneurs in recent years. The ability to work virtually has made our dreams attainable. I truly believe that solopreneurs can change the world. We are passionate. We are nimble. We are adaptable. But we've gotta stick together. They say a rising tide lifts all boats, and that couldn't be more true than it is for solopreneurs. Let's do this together! But we've gotta stick together.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://loneorange.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneOrange
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loneorange/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyhoeckelman/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.