Can you really build a successful startup as a solo founder? I’ve coached over 50 startups and built 2 companies myself, and I can tell you:
Yes, it's absolutely possible.
But there’s one strategy you need to follow, or else you’ll waste your time and money. And your startup will fail.
Let me show you the proven strategy you need to manage your startup successfully, even if you’re doing it alone. Stick around until the end because I’ve got a bonus tip that’ll help you see results quickly.
Let’s dive in!
Yes, it's absolutely possible.
But there’s one strategy you need to follow, or else you’ll waste your time and money. And your startup will fail.
Let me show you the proven strategy you need to manage your startup successfully, even if you’re doing it alone. Stick around until the end because I’ve got a bonus tip that’ll help you see results quickly.
Let’s dive in!
The problem with being a solo founder
The problem with being a solo founder is that you need many skills because you have to do everything yourself. And because building a successful startup is a lot of work, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
The strategy you need to build a successful startup as a solo founder is a 3-parter. But the basic concept is simple: Focus on what's important.
In fact, there are only 3 parts you really need to focus on. The rest will become important later, but if you can nail these 3 parts, you can build a successful startup.
Let me show you what you need to focus on.
Powerful STARTUP RESOURCESThe strategy you need to build a successful startup as a solo founder is a 3-parter. But the basic concept is simple: Focus on what's important.
In fact, there are only 3 parts you really need to focus on. The rest will become important later, but if you can nail these 3 parts, you can build a successful startup.
Let me show you what you need to focus on.
1. Build your MVP
Let's say you already have your great startup idea and have already made sure people will pay for it. The first step is to build your MVP, your minimum viable product.
The MVP is the simplest version of your product that people would still pay for. So no fancy design, no crazy features. Just make it super simple and solve this one specific problem.
The MVP is the simplest version of your product that people would still pay for. So no fancy design, no crazy features. Just make it super simple and solve this one specific problem.

The biggest mistake solo founders make is trying to make everything perfect before launching and testing. I am guilty of this myself. But it's a mistake.
Instead, focus on the core functionality and remove everything that isn't critical. But to be honest, that's easier said than done, because you really need to understand what problem your product solves.
A great framework to find this is to get a piece of paper and ask yourself:
• What are the 5 features that are necessary for people to buy the product?
• What are the 3 features that are necessary for people to buy?
• What is the one feature that is necessary for people to buy the product?
Instead, focus on the core functionality and remove everything that isn't critical. But to be honest, that's easier said than done, because you really need to understand what problem your product solves.
A great framework to find this is to get a piece of paper and ask yourself:
• What are the 5 features that are necessary for people to buy the product?
• What are the 3 features that are necessary for people to buy?
• What is the one feature that is necessary for people to buy the product?

This will help you figure out which feature(s) are really critical to solving your customer's problem.
So build the simplest version of your idea that people would still pay for and then release it to the world. The reason this is so important is because it's your insurance that you're not building something that nobody wants. You basically get customer feedback before investing more time and money into your idea.
So this is the first critical part of this proven strategy.
So build the simplest version of your idea that people would still pay for and then release it to the world. The reason this is so important is because it's your insurance that you're not building something that nobody wants. You basically get customer feedback before investing more time and money into your idea.
So this is the first critical part of this proven strategy.
✏️ Now, think about it: Write down one feature right now that your MVP absolutely must have. Got it? That’s your starting point!
Now that you've got your MVP, the next step is to get it out there and get your first customers. And that's where it gets exciting.
2. Launch and get customers with proven marketing channels
Okay, so your MVP is ready. Now it's time to launch and get your first customers. Now this is important: In the beginning - you don't have the time and money for long term strategies like content marketing.
You need a channel that brings you customers fast. And one of the best marketing channels is to reach out to people in your personal network.
Let's break this down.
First, make a list of everyone you know and sort them by trust level. Family at the top, then friends, then colleagues.
You need a channel that brings you customers fast. And one of the best marketing channels is to reach out to people in your personal network.
Let's break this down.
First, make a list of everyone you know and sort them by trust level. Family at the top, then friends, then colleagues.

Start at the top of the list. When you reach out, explain what your product does and who it helps. Then ask:
"Do you know anyone who would find this valuable?"
And this is key - don't ask for a sale. Ask them to connect you with someone in their network who could benefit from your product.
For example, if you're launching a fitness app, you could say:
"Hey John, I just launched a fitness app that helps users create personalized plans in just a few clicks. Do you know anyone who would find this helpful?"
"Do you know anyone who would find this valuable?"
And this is key - don't ask for a sale. Ask them to connect you with someone in their network who could benefit from your product.
For example, if you're launching a fitness app, you could say:
"Hey John, I just launched a fitness app that helps users create personalized plans in just a few clicks. Do you know anyone who would find this helpful?"

Reaching out to your personal network is one of the best ways to get customers quickly, especially if you are a solo founder. I myself used this exact strategy when I first started.
Later on, you can add other channels like content marketing or email marketing, but that takes more time and resources, so start by reaching out to your personal network.
Later on, you can add other channels like content marketing or email marketing, but that takes more time and resources, so start by reaching out to your personal network.
✏️ Pause for a second. Who are the top three people you’re going to contact this week?
Write them down and commit to reaching out.
Get feedback and improve your product
Now that you have your first customers, it's time to do what most founders actually completely overlook. But it is absolutely critical.
Get feedback and improve your product.
Here's the thing - as a solo founder, customer feedback is your secret weapon because it can set you apart from all the big companies out there.
You basically build your product around that customer feedback - so you build your product specifically for your target audience.
And that's the best way to do it, otherwise you're just building something on your own and hoping people like it, and that's a recipe for failure.
So the cycle is this:
1. You build your product
2. You get customer feedback
3. You improve your product
4. You get customer feedback
5. You improve your product
And so on.
Get feedback and improve your product.
Here's the thing - as a solo founder, customer feedback is your secret weapon because it can set you apart from all the big companies out there.
You basically build your product around that customer feedback - so you build your product specifically for your target audience.
And that's the best way to do it, otherwise you're just building something on your own and hoping people like it, and that's a recipe for failure.
So the cycle is this:
1. You build your product
2. You get customer feedback
3. You improve your product
4. You get customer feedback
5. You improve your product
And so on.

The key here is not to simply rely on online surveys. They are just too impersonal. It's better to get on the phone or meet your customers in person, if possible.
Ask them what they love about your product, what frustrates them, and what features they'd like to see next.
Oh, and make sure you iterate quickly. Don't wait months for a major release. It's better to ship improvements as soon as they're ready.
Ask them what they love about your product, what frustrates them, and what features they'd like to see next.
Oh, and make sure you iterate quickly. Don't wait months for a major release. It's better to ship improvements as soon as they're ready.
Bonus Tip: Go for 90%, Not 100%
Alright, here’s the bonus tip I promised you. And trust me, this one can change the game for you as a solo founder.
Aim for 90%, not 100%.
Don't try to do everything perfectly. Have you ever heard of the Pareto Principle? It's also known as the 80/20 rule. The idea is simple: 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort. So, focus on the 20% that actually move the needle.
For example, instead of spending weeks tweaking your website and choosing the right color or font, get your product in front of customers. Because that will get you real results.
When I first started, I did exactly that, I spent endless hours building my website and making everything pixel perfect - waste of time. Now I know exactly what my 20% is and that's where I focus my time and effort.
Aim for 90%, not 100%.
Don't try to do everything perfectly. Have you ever heard of the Pareto Principle? It's also known as the 80/20 rule. The idea is simple: 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort. So, focus on the 20% that actually move the needle.
For example, instead of spending weeks tweaking your website and choosing the right color or font, get your product in front of customers. Because that will get you real results.
When I first started, I did exactly that, I spent endless hours building my website and making everything pixel perfect - waste of time. Now I know exactly what my 20% is and that's where I focus my time and effort.
✏️ So look at your to-do list right now. What’s the one task that will bring you the most results?
That’s your 20%, and that’s where you need to focus.
What's next
Now you know how to manage your startup as a solo founder. You need to focus on what matters most. And one of the things that matters most is getting new customers. So check out my Marketing Channel Bundle.
It's a proven 4-step framework that will help you find your best marketing channels and get new customers WITHOUT you having to waste your hard-earned money on expensive ads.
Check it out!
It's a proven 4-step framework that will help you find your best marketing channels and get new customers WITHOUT you having to waste your hard-earned money on expensive ads.
Check it out!