Why I Created Solo Power® (And What I Wish I Knew When I Started Freelancing)

This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time

There’s a version of me, sitting at a laptop thinking, “I should feel like this is working by now.” I had clients, I had work coming in, and from the outside it probably looked like I had made it work. But behind the scenes, it felt very different. I was busy all the time, constantly delivering, constantly switching between clients, and yet there was this underlying feeling that something wasn’t quite right. It didn’t feel stable, and it definitely didn’t feel in control.

And if I’m honest, that feeling stayed with me for longer than I expected it to.

The part of freelancing no one prepares you for

Freelancing is often positioned as freedom. More flexibility, more control, more opportunity. And in many ways, that is true. But what isn’t always talked about is what happens when you are the one holding everything together. Every client, every decision, every piece of delivery sits with you. There is no off switch, and in the early days, you just get on with it because you are capable, because you care, and because you want to make it work.

But over time, that way of working becomes heavy.

Why this matters so much to me

For a long time, I thought the problem was me. I thought I needed to be better. Better at selling, better at managing clients, better at somehow “figuring it all out.” So I did what most people do. I worked harder. I took on more. I said yes more often than I should have.

But the more I did that, the harder it felt.

And what I eventually realised is something I now see in so many freelance marketers…

It was never about capability. It was about how the business was built.

The real shift: building properly

When I stepped back and started building differently, everything changed. I began to think about structure, about consistency, about how I could create a business that didn’t rely on me for everything.

And that is when things started to feel calmer. More in control. More scalable.

Not because I was doing more… but because I was doing things differently.

The pattern I couldn’t ignore

Over the years, I have spoken to hundreds of freelance marketers, and the same challenges come up again and again.

People who are brilliant at what they do… but stuck in businesses that feel harder than they should.

Busy, but not progressing
Working, but not growing
Capable, but doing everything alone.

And every time I hear that, I recognise it instantly.

Because I have been there.

Why I created Solo Power®

That is exactly why I created Solo Power®.

And honestly… this is the bit I am most excited about.

Because this is not just another framework or another set of ideas. This is everything I wish I had earlier, brought together in a way that actually makes sense for freelance marketers today.

It is built around three things:

  • Structure, so you are not making it up as you go
  • Strategy, so you know where you are going
  • Support, so you are not doing everything on your own

Simple. But powerful when you actually apply it.

And now, we’ve brought it to life

This is where it gets exciting.

Because Solo Power® is no longer just something I talk about. It is now something you can be part of.

We have officially launched the Solo Power® community, and this is a space I genuinely wish existed when I started.

A space for freelance marketers who want more clarity, more control and a better way to grow… without feeling like they have to do everything alone.

What you’ll find inside

Inside the community, we are sharing real, practical support that helps you build your business properly.

You will get:

  • Weekly insights and tips you can actually implement
  • Guidance on structuring your services and income
  • A clearer way to think about growth and direction
  • A supportive space to ask questions, share challenges and learn from others

 

It is not about overwhelming you. It is about helping you move forward, step by step.

This is just the beginning

There is a free level, so you can come in, explore and start making changes straight away.

And if you get to the point where you want more structure, more support and faster progress, there are next steps available too.

But right now, this is about opening something up that I know so many people need.

If you’re ready for things to feel different

If you’re in that space where your business feels harder than it should… or you know there is more potential there, but you are not quite sure how to unlock it…

This is your starting point.

Because freelancing shouldn’t feel this hard. And it doesn’t have to stay that way.

I have seen so many social media managers on TikTok recently sharing how tough Q4 is shaping up to be. Many described September as one of their worst months yet, with clients pulling out, content budgets cut, and income dropping overnight.

But that is not what we saw at activ.

And even if it had been evident in some way, it would not have shaken us. Our growth model, and the way we teach our franchisees to run their marketing businesses, is not built on luck or trends. It is built on structure, multiple income stream forecasting, and long term client relationships.

The difference between freelancing and building a business

It frustrates me to see brilliant, creative people losing sleep over the next invoice because they have never been shown how to make their income secure. The issue is not their skill. It is the lack of structure and guidance that turns creative chaos into commercial stability.

No one should live in that feast or famine cycle when they are self employed. I’ve been there, back in 2014 when I started out as a solo freelancer. 

When I first went self employed, I had two clients. The contract values together came to £6.5k. At the time, that felt incredible. I thought, this is it, I am winning already.

But no.

Those projects consumed me. I had no time for business development, no processes, and no real boundaries. I was learning client management, pricing, and systems as I went along. What looked like profit on paper turned out to be pain in reality.

That was a massive wake up call.

I realised that you cannot build a business relying on two or three individuals to decide whether you get paid that month. Even though I have been there, I still find it crazy to think that so many self employed marketers are doing exactly that right now.

You need recurring income to create stability

Recurring income is what makes your business predictable. It gives you space to breathe, plan, and grow. It is the foundation that keeps your income steady when projects slow down or clients pause work. And yes, it needs to be secured with a contract!

If your clients are paying you on retainers or subscriptions with clear agreements in place, you are no longer waiting for someone else to decide whether you can pay yourself. You are running a business, not chasing invoices.

Now, the Pareto Principle tells us that 80% of your revenue usually comes from 20% of your clients. That is a natural pattern, but it is also a dangerous one when you only have a handful of clients in total. If one of those key clients leaves, your income takes a huge hit.

The goal is not to fight Pareto, but to rebalance it. Have enough clients in your mix that if one pauses, your bank account does not. A larger client base means smaller percentages per client, and that gives you security.

A forecast should be used to build a healthy mix of income streams that blend subscriptions, monthly fees, retainers, and one off project work. This approach gives balance, flexibility, and resilience. It allows you to plan ahead rather than live month to month hoping your next reel or pitch fills the gap.

How to build stability using the Solo Power® approach

My #SoloPower® approach is about creating structure and strategy so that freedom is built in, not hoped for.

Here are five actions you can take right now to step out of the feast or famine cycle.

  1. Build recurring revenue first, not last
    Even if your retainers start small, secure that predictable base before solely chasing project work. Stability gives you freedom to be creative again.
  2. Review your pricing every quarter
    If you are charging the same as you were six months ago but working harder, it is time to adjust. Value your expertise.
  3. Set clear boundaries and processes
    You teach clients how to treat you. Scope creep and time thiefs are business killers. Clear communication and contracts are essential.
  4. Use a forecast
    See what your next three months look like. Map your recurring income and identify gaps early. When you plan, panic disappears.
  5. Stay connected to others in business
    Isolation is dangerous. Community keeps you accountable, inspired, and supported when things get tough.

From feast or famine to freedom

The feast or famine cycle is not a test of resilience. It is a sign that your business is missing structure.

Freedom does not come from working alone. It comes from systems that protect your time, income, and creativity.

That is exactly what I teach through #SoloPower®, an approach built to help solo marketers and freelancers create security, community, and recurring income that lasts.

If you are ready to take the next step, my next FREE guide on How to Combat The Time Ceiling And Build Financial Security shows how to create sustainable structure in your business.

👉 Workbook- How to Combat The Time Ceiling and Build Financial Security