Solopreneur vs. Entrepreneur: What’s the Difference?

If you’re working as a solo consultant, you may wonder: Am I really an entrepreneur? The answer is yes — but with a nuance.

• Solopreneur: Runs a business of one. You deliver services directly, manage clients, finances, and marketing yourself. Independence and flexibility are the focus, not necessarily scaling into a larger company.

  
  

• Entrepreneur: Builds a business with the intent to grow, hire, or expand beyond their own capacity. The focus is on creating systems, teams, and infrastructure that can scale.

  
  

Both solopreneurs and entrepreneurs share the same core traits: resilience, adaptability, creativity, and ownership of their work. The difference lies in growth strategy. A solopreneur chooses to remain independent, while an entrepreneur often aims to build something bigger than themselves.

Bottom line: If you’re a solo consultant, you are an entrepreneur. The term solopreneur simply highlights your independence and direct client impact. Both paths are valid, powerful, and entrepreneurial in spirit.