Flying solo doesn’t mean going it alone

Australia’s sole operator movement is growing rapidly, and with good reason. In a landscape of rising living costs and economic pressure, more people are choosing to back themselves.

Recent research from Solo by MYOB, which surveyed over 1,000 sole traders, found over 30% made the leap into self-employment specifically for the potential of a higher income.

While entrepreneurship holds significant promise, running a business alone can be complex. While most sole traders report working 31 to 40 hours a week, this number doesn’t always capture the full scope of their commitment. Many spend additional unseen and unaccounted hours on administration, financial management and planning, often working evenings and weekends to keep everything on track.

This workload is often compounded by feelings of isolation. Around 60% of sole traders surveyed admitted to feeling alone in their work, despite being in contact with clients or customers. Without colleagues, partners or internal teams to lean on, the pressure can feel immense.

Yet despite the challenges, it is clear in the broader experience of Australia’s self-employed community: being a sole trader does not have to mean being on your own. In fact, one of the most overlooked success factors in sole entrepreneurship is community. Thriving sole traders actively build a support network of experts, peers and technology partners to help them grow.

One of the smartest moves a sole operator can make early in their journey is to find reliable expert advisors, particularly in areas like tax, accounting and legal compliance. Managing a business’s back end can be overwhelming if tackled alone. Having access to the right advice at the right time not only builds confidence, but can also prevent costly mistakes.

Technology is another game-changer. While some micro-businesses still hesitate to invest in digital tools, doing so can unlock huge efficiencies. Automating tasks like invoicing, expense tracking and tax lodgement can give founders back hours each week, time that can be reinvested into growth, customer engagement or rest. The key is to select technology partners that integrate easily and scale as your business evolves.

Finally, no solo journey is truly successful without community. Australia is home to more than 1.6 million sole traders. People who, just like you, have backed themselves to grow something meaningful. Many of these entrepreneurs are deeply connected to their local communities and wider industry networks. Whether through co-working spaces, industry events, online forums or social media groups, the ability to share experiences, challenges and wins is invaluable. It supports not only business growth but also mental wellbeing, offering a crucial buffer against the isolation many sole traders report.

In the end, the path of the sole trader is both demanding and rewarding. It offers flexibility, purpose and the chance to build something of your own. But success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. With the right advisors, the right tools and a strong sense of community, sole operators can transform challenge into opportunity, and go further, faster, than they ever could alone.

Join the soloist movement. Whether you are new to Flying Solo or looking to grow your business, our membership options will help you attract more leads, grow your network and sharpen your business skills.  Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest news and advice straight to your inbox.

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