Editor's note: Want even more? Check out the 2017 list of 100 Best Sites for Solopreneurs!
Welcome to the second edition of 100 Best Sites for Solopreneurs.
The online world is at once both a very small and a very large place. As a solopreneur, it’s not exactly tough to find resources to help grow your solo business -- but it’s a true challenge to find the very best resources that will provide the insight, advice, and tips you need to build the business that makes you want to shout from the rooftops: “I’m a solopreneur!!!”
That’s what #100BestSites is all about -- and this year, it’s back and better than ever. Our nominations tripled this time around, making our job of compiling, editing, and polishing these entries pretty tough -- but we’re confident that what you’ll find below is a goldmine of resources that will provide both inspirational advice and actionable how-tos when it comes to rocking your business. (Oh -- and a little something else, too. Our last category is a new one!)
Dig in… and be endlessly inspired to better your biz.
[line]
Digital Marketing
The sites to visit for all things marketing: blogging, social media, SEO, building your list, and developing a website that works.
AmbitionAlly
Nathalie Lussier -- who you’ll see again later on this list -- and her husband say it best: “As allies in our marriage and business, we're here to become your favorite allies for growing your business with elegant software solutions!” The AmbitionAlly blog reflects this -- and more -- with content about everything from WordPress plugins to influencer outreach to video opt-ins.
Must-read post: 5 Examples of Gamification in Marketing
Blacksburg Belle with April Bowles-Olin
“You absolutely loooove what you do, but you hate that you don’t make any {or enough} money doing it.” If this is you, enter: April -- AKA Blacksburg Belle and CreativeLive star. In the words of OWS member Amanda: “She's a business coach for creative women, and she's got a no-nonsense style, and you can tell it's because she cares so much.”
Must-read post: 10 Reasons Your Marketing Efforts Aren’t Working
ConvertKit
ConvertKit -- the newest player in the email marketing platform arena that people (including us) can’t stop talking about -- has an equally valuable blog. In between sharing best practices for making the most of their platform, they break down general best practices for email marketing. Color us “converts.”
Must-read post: The Anatomy of the Perfect Email
Design Your Own Lovely Blog with Marianne Manthey
Calling all DIY-ers! If outsourcing design and tech work isn’t in your budget (yet) or you’d love to master basic tech skills, you need Marianne and DYOB in your life. Suddenly, HTML and CSS don’t seem so scary, are we right?
Must-read post: Don’t Put Off Learning HTML + CSS! Here’s What You Need to Know
House of Brazen with Elise McDowell
We had a tough time choosing a category for Elise’s online home because, in her words, it’s a site built for those who are “ready to build a profitable business that allows you to sleep in, go for a hike in the middle of the week or take a vacation when you feel like it...” (Solopreneur mindset + lifestyle, anyone?) But in order to get there? You’ve gotta kick ass online, which she’ll help you with.
Must-read post: Why Micro-Adventures are Good for Business
Jess Creatives with Jessica Freeman
Jess says she could live on chai lattes and peanut butter and she has a dog named Morgan Freeman. (Just a few reasons you can love/trust her.) But don’t just take it from us -- one nominator said: “I really enjoy how Jess breaks things down to simplify them,” while another noted her “insightful posts on design and freelance topics.”
Must-read post: Why Etsy and Facebook Can Not Be Your Only Online Presence
Kyla Roma
With a bio section in her footer that’s headlined with “Who dat, who dat? K-Y-L-A,” we can’t help but get psyched when we land on Kyla’s digital homebase. As a business coach and digital strategist, Kyla’s blog runs the gamut from building a better web presence to eliminating distractions from your essential work.
Must-read post: How to Build Community Around Your Business Before You’re Ready
Lara Eastburn
Besides the fact that she’s a PhD-bearing geek who also loves wine, we’re drawn back to Lara’s site on repeat because of what she helps small(er) businesses do: “Speak Human. Win the Internet.” Lara’s site is a go-to for everything social media: from Facebook Ads to using “linguistic disruption to restore real gratitude” in tweets. (For real.)
Must-read post: Thank You (Yawn) For Sharing
Liz Lockard
Liz’s tagline sums it up: “Getting more traffic doesn’t have to be so hard.” What a relief. As Tara Gentile (another #100BestSites winner) testifies: “If you’re listening to anyone else but Liz on search, you’re wasting your time. I’m just so tired of people being taken advantage of when it comes to SEO. I love her approach and what it stands for in terms of both business strategy & people-centric thinking.”
Must-read post: The Vanity Metric That’s Killing Your Business
Marketing Creativity with Lisa Jacobs
Marketing Creativity is the brainchild of Lisa, the owner of an Etsy jewelry shop-turned-marketing consultant. Who better to learn from about the ins-and-outs of marketing an online store than someone who has, you know, actually done it? And if you love gold and glitter? Bonus! You’ll feel right at home on her site.
Must-forward post: How to Support the Creative Entrepreneur in Your Life
Melyssa Griffin
Melyssa Griffin is the artist formerly known as the head of The Nectar Collective. We can’t promise that visiting her site won’t inspire a serious bout of the comparison trap (then again, most of these sites probably will), especially with her enviable income reports. But we can promise that she’ll offer you killer digital marketing advice backed with stats and examples.
Must-read post: How to Use Bonuses in Your Business to Turn More People Into Customers
Nathalie Lussier
If her name looks familiar, it’s because Nathalie’s a rock star who made this list twice. (See AmbitionAlly, above.) We couldn’t neglect her namesake site, though -- which is perhaps best known for its 30-Day List Building Challenge -- but is all about creating “a digital strategy that matches your ambition.”
Must-listen episode: Tech Checklist for a Successful Launch
Sarah Von Bargen
We confessed last year that we’ve nicknamed Sarah Von Bargen “SVB” because we reference her so often. (We’re all about efficiency.) Every time we read one of her posts, we’re struck with a “Wow, that’s so obvious, yet we haven’t been doing it” moment. (You know that feeling, right?) She encourages us to think out-of-the-box when it comes to online marketing, be creative in order to maximize our efforts, and get more honest with ourselves.
Must-read post: Just Because You Don’t Like Something Doesn’t Mean You Can Ignore It
Skillcrush
The team at Skillcrush (ladies we happen to love) is out to promote freelancing and solopreneurship by making tech skills easy to learn. While their Career Blueprints rock, their blog is a stellar place to go for advice on freelancing, design and tech, and social media marketing. (And who doesn’t love a company who can make an awesome April Fools joke?)
Must-read post: How to Decide Which Programming Language to Learn
Tiny Blue Orange with Alison Monday
The team behind Tiny Blue Orange (that would be Alison and her two pups, Brutus and Pixel, of course) believe that security, sass + sweetness make the world go ’round. We <3 sites that can talk tech and make it oh-so-delicious.
Must-read series: Nerd Alert (obviously)
Wellpreneur with Amanda Cook
According to listener Helen, Amanda Cook of the Wellpreneur podcast “shares actionable advice, inspirational podcasts, resources and great courses!” Amanda has carved out a niche amongst health coaches and “wellpreneurs,” but her digital marketing advice is applicable to any online business owner who aspires to be “authentic, vibrant, creative, and caring.”
Must-listen episode: Being a TedX Speaker with Adria DeCorte
WP+BFF with Shannon Mattern
Last year, WP+BFF was a new-to-us site that landed on the list because of a nomination. This year, Shannon was hands-down the most nominated site, which is a testament to her community’s trust in her when it comes to WordPress site-building. In the words of Cate: “Shannon is authentic, fun, and provides the best information and support for building a website...” (We couldn’t agree more.) Emily adds, “She has helped me make my own WordPress site...using real language [not tech-speak].”
Must-read post: Are You Making These Mistakes on Your Website?
XO Sarah with Sarah Morgan
From creating passive income to doubling your blog traffic, Sarah Morgan is a web designer who’s out to help you make more with less. Her badass blog is a treasure trove of resources for design, productivity, Pinterest, blogging, product creation and much, much more -- and her Insta feed will make you want to drop everything and learn aerial arts.
Must-read post: 3 Blog Design Updates That Made a Big Difference in My Traffic, Subscribers, and Shares
[line]
Publicity, Launching and Sales
The sites to visit when it’s time to garner attention, build your launch strategy, and make more money.
Alexia Vernon
Alexia is all about helping rising female leaders (so yeah, you) develop their story and share it with the world. She helps followers “step into their moxie” through storytelling and speaking, with signature programs focused on “your spotlight.” Oh -- and her movement has spread to the White House, where she was branded as a “Moxie Maven.” #heckyes
Must-read post: Haters, Copycats and Raving Fans (Why They Have Everything and Nothing To Do With You)
Amanda Genther
A seasoned designer and pro in branding, Amanda’s out to help you brand and launch your next online course. If you’ve struggled with making your ideas happen, pushing past resistance, or launching a digital program, it’s pretty much guaranteed that her site has a resource for you.
Must-read post: My 8-Step Process for Writing Sales Page Copy
Betty Means Business with Kate Byrne
Sales are slimy. Pricing sucks. Playing small is safe. ← We witness these mentalities all the time, but Kate, of Betty Means Business, has answers for all of them. Spend just a few minutes on this site, and you’ll realize that Betty really does mean business.
Must-read post: Business Slow? 21 Client-Winning Moves to Make Now
Emma Lawrence PR
In a fast-moving world of Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, more traditional PR can often be overlooked. But it’s certainly not dead. Though it has evolved, the principles are still very much intact. And if you’re ready to take control of your own PR, you need the wisdom of Emma Lawrence, your new PR coach.
Must-read post: 5 Secrets to an Irresistible Press Pitch
Evolve + Succeed with Halley Gray
Halley Gray likes to do things like: send out mugs that read “Fuck yeah!” and host a series called Drunk Webinars. But amongst the goofiness, she shares some pretty powerful advice on booking yourself out with client work and rocking your launch strategies.
Must-read post: The #1 Mistake All Client-Based Businesses are Making (and How to Fix It)
Farideh Ceaser
The main calls-to-action on Farideh’s website are “I launch you.” “You launch you.” and “Songs.” So simple and practical, yet so attention-grabbing. Whether you’re in the market for a launch strategist, DIY launching wisdom, or clever biz songs (like the one called “Should I Do a Webinar?”), Farideh’s your girl.
Must-read post: 50 Ways to Build Buzz Without Doing a Webinar or a 3-Part Video Series
Femtrepreneur with Mariah Coz
Sometimes we want to skip the sugar coating and have someone give it to us straight. Enter: Mariah, who encourages -- nay, insists -- that you “stop screwing around with your blog and turn it into a badass, profitable business.”
Must-read post: The Truth About Content Upgrades
Hey Shenee with Shenee Howard
Anyone who uses Friends and Full House GIFs on their site is a-okay with us. Shenee also rocks long-form posts and is candid with her business struggles, which win her even more brownie points. If you’re looking for a "fist-bump and high-five...to get you going in the right direction,” it’s time to say “Hey, Shenee!”
Must-read post: 8 More Things Internet Marketers Don’t Want You to Know
Launch Grow Joy with Andreea Ayers
Andreea works with product-based businesses to get their products the attention they deserve. Whether it’s setting up an online store, getting more traffic, or gaining media coverage, her blog and podcast are a go-to resource for online store owners who want to launch, grow, and find joy. (Had to.)
Must-read post: How to Write a Product Description That Does the Selling for You
[line]
Branding, Copy, and Content Strategy
The sites to visit for tips on designing and wordsmithing the brand and content that tells your biz story.
Alexandra Franzen
Alex Franzen’s writing style is unlike any other. She draws you in with personal anecdotes and examples until you find yourself alone behind your computer whispering “Wowwww” under your breath and nodding slowly. She inspires you to take action, but more so, to shake up your mindset and start seeing things differently -- especially when it comes to sharing your business’ story.
Must-read post: How to Tell a Great Story -- Onstage
Brooks Editorial with Ashley Brooks
We bet at least a few of you reading will relate to Ashley’s bio: “I make the most of our rare warm weather by spending every spare minute on the front porch with a book. In a perfect world, I always have an iced mocha in hand and a book in my purse.” In addition to sharing our love for coffee, reading, and coziness, Ashley shares our love for effective content strategies.
Must-read post: 5 Myths You Believe About Content Strategies (That Are Dragging Down Your Business)
ByRegina with Regina Anaejionu
If you spend time on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen one of Regina’s branded images pop up on your feed. But a consistent brand on social media isn’t the only thing Regina does right -- she’s also the queen of content for infopreneurs. We wouldn’t be surprised if you do a double-take when you start following her due to the sheer volume of quality content she puts out.
Must-read post: How to Create Super Share-Worthy Blog Posts
Canva’s Design School
It’s time to go back to school. Design School, that is. Even if you work with a designer in your solo business (or are a designer in your solo biz!), mastering basic design skills can serve you well. In addition to being an image editing service, Canva offers design lessons and inspiration -- like the pros and cons of flat design and designs from around the world -- through its “school.”
Must-read post: 10 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Images
The Content Direction Agency with Lacy Boggs
Doused with mystery but incredibly clear when it comes to content and sales cycles, Lacy is Director of The Content Direction Agency. Her mission is to help your content out of its identity crisis, and her “Eyes Only Content Library” shows you how. (Oh -- and if you liked a good game of Where in the World is Carmen San Diego back in the day, you’ll love navigating her website.)
Must-read post: How to Develop Your Own Brand Voice Guidelines
Copyhackers
Even if your ultimate goal isn’t to create a business based around copywriting, creating content is a crucial -- and inevitable -- facet of running a solo biz. Having some copywriting chops will make that next landing page or email campaign a heck of alot easier, and Copyhackers is the place to turn for all things copy. Fitting name, indeed.
Must-read post: Why Your Copy Needs to Pick a Fight with the Other Guy (Instead of Smiling and Shrugging)
The Crown Fox with Kaitlyn Kessler
You know we like pretty things -- but we also like incredibly helpful things, as well. You can find both over at Kaitlyn’s site. What we love most? How in-depth she goes on topics like re-branding, creating social media graphics, and gaining authority through design. In the words of OWS member Julienne, “Kaitlyn offers really great overview posts of branding do's and don'ts.”
Must-read post: Three Signs You Should Rebrand & One Sign You Shouldn’t
Elle & Co. with Lauren Hooker
A graphic designer by trade, Lauren has years of experience under her belt learning the ins-and-outs of building a brand and business. Through a wealth of step-by-step tutorials and how-to posts, she helps other small business owners and solopreneurs build brands, create websites, and grow audiences so that they’re poised to sell.
Must-read post: 10 Essential Design Resources for Creative Entrepreneurs
Garnishing Co. with Susannah Brinkley
It’s really no surprise that the brains behind the Feast and West blog, Susannah, would also choose a food-related term for a branding and design resource, and we can’t help but love her for it. Garnishing Co. is all about “helping bloggers and small business owners make their brands thoughtfully beautiful -- on a budget,” and despite being a relatively new blog, her resources go deep in helping you DIY your design.
Must-read post: Make Business Cards That Stand Out
Kayla Hollatz
Anyone who has a fierce love for writing, creativity, and hot chocolate is a friend of ours. But what adds fuel to Kayla’s fire is her passion for community building, something she showcases through her weekly Twitter chat and ever-evolving community, #createlounge. We love her blog for tips on cultivating creativity and using social media to build your brand.
Must-read post: The Difference Between Growing an Audience and Community (and Why Both Matter!)
The Middle Finger Project with Ash Ambirge
Sass, sarcasm, and smarts: Ash Ambirge puts it all on the table over at The Middle Finger Project. She provides “unconventional advice for unconventional women,” and while you have the option to switch from Snark Mode to Censored on her site, we highly recommend the snark. We can’t quite say it better than we did last year: Sometimes raunchy; always insightful.
Must-read post: Networking Event? Try This Creative Approach to Introducing Yourself
Nicole Baute
A “writing coach and story strategist,” Nicole breaks down the barriers that keep you from writing and helps you discover the voice that is your own. We appreciate her honest approach to creating copy and content, and her candid advice for making it work for your business.
Must-read post: Stop Sounding Like Everybody Else
The Rule Breaker’s Club with Courtney Johnston
Out to serve “rebels with a cause,” we turn to Courtney’s blog and videos when it comes to sales pages, emails, and when to ignore your audience. (You read that right -- she’s a rebel, remember?) Once you’ve experienced her “Rainbow of Sales,” you’ll never go back.
Must-watch video: Email Marketing Mindset
The Story of Telling with Bernadette Jiwa
Bernadette’s a two-timer on this list for a reason (or two): Her customer service-oriented approach and shunning of rational sales strategies makes us think twice, and her short-form posts pack a great deal of punch. Her real-world examples and focus on storytelling makes her resources all the more insightful.
Must-read post: What Do Your Customers Really Want?
White Oak Creative with Lindsay Humes
Lindsay isn’t your standard blogger -- she’s the blogger who also builds the WordPress themes you’re blogging on, which makes her blog a haven for information specific to blogging, including tutorials, resources, and design inspiration. The depth of her tutorials makes even the most tech illiterate of us (cough, cough) feel savvy.
Must-read post: Move Over, Grandma! Why Site Speed Matters + Tips to Improve It
The Write Life
The Write Life was built to help writers “create, connect, and earn,” but it’s safe to say that the site has evolved into an overall fantastic resource for building a brand as a freelancer. Whether you’re looking to improve your writing skills or your social presence, there’s likely an article for that.
Must-read post: Want to Raise Your Brand Awareness? Put One of These on Your Blog
[line]
Biz Growth, Systems, and Productivity
The sites to visit when it’s time to hunker down and grow your biz — and the systems and productivity tips that’ll get you there.
99U
Some business sites sell the idea that a business that runs like a well-oiled, revenue-generating machine is easy to come by. 99U reminds us that “‘Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration.’ To truly make great ideas a reality, we must act, experiment, fail, adapt, and learn on a daily basis.” In a word? Evolve. It’s what the articles on 99U help us do.
Must-read category: Iteration
Being Boss
A team after our own hearts, Kathleen and Emily launched Being Boss as a podcast for creative entrepreneurs who identify as “the rebels, the quiet ones, the schemers, and the dreamers.” Through a mix of kick-ass guests and mini-sodes, they cover all aspects of “boss-ness” (that’s our made up term…), from launching to partnership and fitness to email marketing.
Must-listen episode: Playing Big with Tara Mohr
Devon Smiley
Whether you’re stuck on pricing a proposal or you’re in a sticky situation with a client and need to find your way out, Devon’s your go-to girl. A negotiation consultant who’s “out to make sure you’re not getting the short end of the stick when you do business,” her Smiley Sessions (bite-sized, action-driven videos) are fantastic for solopreneurs at any stage of the game.
Must-watch video: A Quick + Simple Bottom Line Booster
The Freelance to Freedom Project
We think it’s safe to say that freedom -- with your schedule, your energy, your creativity, maybe even your location -- is something all of us solopreneurs aspire to. While we don’t think it can happen with the snap of your fingers, we think it’s possible through strategic work. Enter: The Freelance to Freedom Project, where Featured Writers share their wisdom on just that.
Must-read post: You Can’t Do It All. Do This Instead
Heartmade Blog with Mayi Carles
In between showcasing her handmade illustrations, quoting The Lion King, showing off her adorable baby, and throwing in a few Spanish words to bump up our vocabularies, Mayi gives tips 'n tricks on running a multi-faceted business and ditching the idea of balance.
Must-read post: Turn Life’s Messes Into Creative Triumphs
Heather Crabtree
We say “savvy,” you say “Heather Crabtree.” Heather’s got the lockdown on savviness through posts about everything from creating on-point Pinterest profiles to branding on a budget to networking for introverts. Oh, and we <3 this: “Do you feel those big virtual hugs I am giving you right now? (Sorry if you are not a hugger. Sometimes I forget to ask before I hug.)”
Must-read post: How Hiring a Virtual Assistant Can Benefit You Emotionally
Hit the Mic with The Stacey Harris
An audio engineer by trade, The Stacey Harris (yes, The) has more than 250 podcast episodes under her belt and loves sharing her secrets for making it work. (Hint: She dispels a lot of myths.) Beyond podcasting, she’s a natural resource for all things social media. Take it from reader Barney: “Pink hair, brash straight talk served up with community love and goodness!”
Must-listen episode: 3 Things You Must Know About Launching a Podcast
IttyBiz with Naomi Dunford
The irony behind “IttyBiz” is that Naomi’s out to help you become less little -- and in the words of OWS reader Nela, she does it in a way that’s “hype-free, honest, down to Earth and focused on what really matters.” Her posts go in-depth on the barriers holding you back from growth in your business and provide tangible (and entertaining) advice on how to break them down.
Must-read post: 11 Warning Signs Your Business Has a Serious Upper Limit Problem
Leah Kalamakis
You might recognize Leah’s name from her claim-to-fame (well, one of several): Freelance to Freedom. In addition to creating and facilitating the FTF community, she also builds valuable content about business systems and processes to help you stress less and impress -- which is (not coincidentally) the name of her popular course. OWS member Julienne says that Leah “gives a great overview, so you really feel like you understand the purpose -- not just the how.”
Must-read post: Why You Need More Than a Simple Contact Form
Lucky Break Consulting with Lela Barker
What’s in a name? If we’re talking about Lela’s biz, it’s a lot of luck. But she knows it takes a lot more than luck to build a business, and is out to help the handmakers and creators of the world price their products, gain those products visibility, and ultimately run an empire.
Must-read post: A Friendly Tutorial on Those Vexing UPC Codes
Marie Forleo
We know it’s cliché to worship at the feet of Marie Forleo, but we just can’t help it. She delivers boatloads of valuable content every Tuesday through MarieTV -- and her perfectly shiny hair and gorgeous wardrobe don’t help our severe bout of envy either. Luckily, she manages to stay relatable with her silly intros and her philosophy that “We take our work seriously, but not ourselves.”
Must-watch episode: Redefining Success with Arianna Huffington
Nice Ops with Amber McCue
Upon landing on Amber’s website, you’re greeted with messages like “Get an A+ in running your business” and “Operations are sexy...if you’re doing it right.” We love her coy copy and her call to own a business “instead of your business owning you.” Also important? Her reminders that, even as a solopreneur, leadership and systems are crucial.
Must-read post: Is it Time to Fire Yourself?
Organized Creatives
If we could summarize Organized Creatives in one word, it would be: simplification. (Are you surprised we didn’t cheat and use “organized” or “creative”? Come on, we try harder than that!) Organized Creatives is all about simplifying your life, both online and off, so that you can spend time on the things you want to pursue creatively.
Must-read post: How to Let Go of Physical Clutter
Paul Jarvis
If we had to sum Paul Jarvis up in three words, it would be this: The original freelancer. Of course, that’s not exactly true, but Paul certainly knows what’s up in the realm of freelancing. From dealing with clients to launching courses, he tells it like it is -- and offers insanely valuable tips for other freelancers in his Sunday Dispatches and on his podcast, The Freelancer (among many other places).
Must-read post: There’s No Such Things As a Big Break
RM Harrison
RM works with service-based creatives to find “business alignment” and strengthen their brands -- and we particularly love her talk on client love. Here’s what OWS reader Devon has to say about the #RMTruth blog: “RM gets right to the heart of what I'm struggling with, and helps me through.”
Must-read post: How to Clone Your Favorite Client
She Owns It
We love this site for its magazine-style quality and breadth of topics that help “celebrate, support, and connect women entrepreneurs.” (A cause after our own hearts!) From networking to leadership and healthy lifestyles to inspiration, She Owns It serves as inspiration to grow our biz and better ourselves.
Must-read post: The Fortune Is In the Follow Up
Side Hustle Nation with Nick Loper
We know many of you are rocking the side hustle while working full-time jobs. (Mad props!) If this is you or you just want some out-of-the-box revenue generation ideas (think: raw land investing, brand ambassadorship, and voiceover acting), you’ve got to check out Side Hustle Nation.
Must-read post: The Mini-Victory Theory and 17 Mini-Wins You Can Get Today
Tara Gentile
Tara’s perhaps best known for her Quiet Power Strategy, “combining intense focus with uncompromising vision and strategy." We love her focus on focus (see what we did there?), and in the words of OWS member Amanda, “She's strategic, fun, and nerdy.” (So, basically, what we’re all about here at OWS.)
Must-read post: Have Trouble Creating an Action Plan and Sticking to It?
The Uncaged Life with Rebecca Tracey
Rebecca is like your older sister who tells you the things you need to hear -- even when you don’t necessarily want to. Whenever we read anything of hers, we think “Dang. Now that girl gets it.” Then she adds in some sexual innuendo humor, which seals the deal for us. (Her signature offering, which is about creating packages in service-based businesses, is called “Hey, Nice Package!” See what we mean?)
Must-read post: Is Your Business Coach Full of Shit?
Unsettle. with Sarah Peterson
“Unsettlers are a group of people who are unsettling from the status quo, challenging career and work norms and building their dreams.” Sarah’s site isn’t for everyone -- but if you’re someone ready to do the work to make a change, check out the blog and podcast to find a roadmap for identifying your skills and interests, and grab the resources to help you get started.
Must-read post: An Insanely Simple 3-Step System to Building a Business On the Side
[line]
Finance and Law
The sites to turn to for the “logistics”: what to do with that money you’ve made, and how to protect your business.
Blonde on a Budget with Cait Flanders
If minimalism is your jam (...or you would like it to be) and you could stand to improve a bit on your personal finances (um, who can’t?), Cait’s site is for you. Her bio says it best: “Blonde on a Budget is Cait Flanders' journey from being a maxed out, overindulging girl to becoming a balanced and financially sound woman.” We think it’s safe to say that our brunette and redhead friends are welcome on the site too.
Must-read post: You Weren’t Born to Pay Off Debt and Die
Careful Cents with Carrie Smith
Follow Carrie for a bit over on the Careful Cents blog, and you’ll wonder what she doesn’t do. Her site is a goldmine for tactical resources on freelancing, finances, and productivity. (Oh -- and breakfast. Yes, breakfast.) We turn to Carrie for incredibly helpful tutorials on all things logistics, and can’t help but mention that she’s one half of the Budgets & Cents podcast with Cait, listed above.
Must-read post: How to Find Affordable Health Insurance When You’re Self-Employed
Creative Genius Society with Patrice Perkins
When’s the last time you got sucked down the rabbit hole when it came to legal biz logistics, and loved every minute of it? Patrice has a way of taking something we all like to put in the very (very) back of our minds -- the law -- and make it...fun. (Yes, we really mean that.) She knows how to take topics like trademark law, contracts, and business structures, and make them digestible. Oh -- and she’s a self-described “American Bar Association Legal Rebel.” (Love.)
Must-read post: Why You Should Hire a Trademark Attorney + The Real Cost of DIYing Your Trademark
Freelancers Union
We’re not gonna lie -- buying health insurance and putting away money for retirement don’t rank super high on our list of favorite things to do within our businesses. But, since we know they’re important for our mental and financial well-being, we appreciate sites like Freelancers Union that step up to make it easier on all of us. “Building a better future for the independent workforce,” indeed.
Must-read post: 4 Ways to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Making Sense of Cents with Michelle Schroeder-Gardner
Beware the rabbit hole: Michelle’s a former financial analyst who’s now self-employed and traveling the US full time in a RV, and her blog is updated daily on all things budgeting, debt reduction, retirement, and much, much more. Though her blog is packed to the brim with helpful advice, her approach to life is that of a minimalist -- an added layer that we love.
Must-read post: Why Would A Person Choose To Live A Frugal Life?
Rodgers Collective with Rachel Rodgers
What if you could consistently learn from someone who’s not just a creative with a business-centered mind, but also has an ultra-firm grasp on the law? That’s Rachel, creator of Small Business Bodyguard and owner of Rodgers Collective. You’ll want to hit up her blog for advice on cash flow, income, and “intelligent law + business strategy.”
Must-read post: Why (And How) to Project Your Business Cash Flow
SCORE
SCORE is a veteran organization with a mission of helping small businesses succeed from the ground up. The organization is particularly helpful for securing free, in-person business mentoring, but supplements its physical resources with online articles covering start ups, marketing, finance, technology, and more.
Must-read post: If You Don’t Value Yourself, Who Will?
Sweeter CPA with Helena Swyter
We hear that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to your business finances and taxes. (We’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news, friends.) Helena of Sweeter CPA keeps you up-to-date on important but often overlooked issues, like sales taxes, depreciation of property, home office deductions, and in-kind advertising. If that doesn’t sound fun to you, we promise that Helena will make the whole process feel a bit “sweeter.” (Get it?)
Must-read post: Small Business Taxes: Getting Started, Quarterly Estimates, and Forms 1099s
[line]
Mindset and Solopreneur Lifestyle
The sites to visit when you need a fresh start, a different take, or a reminder to love the life you’ve built as a solopreneur.
Alex Beadon
Alex is all about helping you discover what you love to do, get past the fear of doing it, and learn how to make money in the process. Though she rocks social marketing and blogging (she shares the behind-the-scenes of her entrepreneurial life via Snapchat stories), it’s her Monday Mantras that landed her back on this list.
Must-read post: Monday Mantra -- “How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything”
Art to Self with Steph Halligan
A stellar cartoonist, Steph started creating illustrations to accompany her daily notes to herself -- then decided to share them with the world. And we’re so glad she does. From getting started to getting past mental blocks, her daily notes in your inbox or RSS reader are the perfect way to start the day as a solopreneur.
Must-read post: Let It Ebb and Flow
Best Kept Self
Us solopreneurs are a proactive, independent bunch -- but who can’t use some assistance in kicking ass, taking names...and making it back home for our bedtime? That’s why we love Best Kept Self’s tagline: “Self-help for the self-employed.” Even more than that? We love their Instagram bio: “Because you should invest as much into your soul and mind as you do your website and biz cards.” All we can say is: YAAAAASSS. (Sorry, we had to).
Must-watch video: Concrete Takeaways for Overcoming Self-Sabotage
Chasing Creative
Despite having just been born in early 2016, Chasing Creative quickly joined the ranks of this fine list for its unique topic: Making creativity a priority in our busy lives as women. Ashley and Abbigail bring on writers, musicians, photographers, and more to talk about what keeps their creative juices flowing when the day-to-day grind takes over.
Must-listen episode: Make A Mini Creative Retreat with Jennie Moraitis
Clarity on Fire
For the ladies who don’t feel like you’ve found your “sweet spot” where your passion meets your skill set: Clarity on Fire is for you. Our favorite way to take in Rachel and Kristen’s insight? Through their #ClarityGems. In their words, “Think of #ClarityGems as your weekly shake of the good ‘ole Magic 8 Ball...you never know what might bubble up and how it might be exactly what you need to hear today.”
Must-read post: Confession: I Have No Desire To Be a #GirlBoss
Coach Jennie with Jennie Mustafa-Julock
If you’re in need of a bit more tenacity in your life, you need a dose of Coach Jennie, our resident giver of “cathartic shoves” and the Queen of Blab (our favorite video platform). If that’s not enough to tempt you to check out her site? Go there to discover who the heck Hilda is. (We guarantee you know her.)
Must-watch video: Stop Standing In Your Own Way
Danielle Dowling
With a title of Dr. (yes, Doctor) Danielle pairs psychology and life coaching to inspire lasting change that helps you “say yes to you.” (For sanity’s sake!) We absolutely love that Danielle is “unabashedly intellectual,” putting those masters and doctorate degrees to work serving women the world over.
Must-read post: Dear Danielle: Help Me Be a Confident Introvert
Danielle LaPorte
Don’t let your fear of the “woo woo” steer you wrong: Danielle LaPorte knows how to get after it, from expressing your creativity to building relationships and clarifying your purpose to owning the fact that you’re a woman. Her “Public Library” is chockful of reading material that is bound to light a white-hot fire inside of you, sister. (/woo)
Must-read category: For Your Ambition, and Your Doubts
Danielle Zeigler
Sometimes, in addition to being great writers themselves, the bloggers we love to follow are amazing curators of content. That’s Danielle. We love how she combines the best of both health and business-related finds into her weekly roundup, Sunday Link Love. Sunday afternoons have never been so fun.
Must-read post: How Your Physical Environment Affects Your Work
Design*Sponge
Besides being a one-stop shop for DIY and interior decorating advice, Design*Sponge shares stories of entrepreneurship through their Life & Business section. Want to know what types of profiles and topics you’ll find? We spotted the following titles: “Art Meets Recycling,” “Unhooking from Praise and Criticism,” “What Baking Has Taught Me About Business,” and “Rolling with the Punches.”
Must-read column: Life & Business
Get Gutsy with Jessica Lawlor
Whether the call to #GetGutsy lights you up or instills fear in the pit of your stomach, we bet you’ll love Jess’ approach to getting out of your comfort zone. And if you need more inspiration to #GetGutsy? Just follow along with Jess’ transition from a side hustler to a CEO in her Becoming CEO blog series.
Must-read series: Becoming CEO
Jess Lively
Whenever we hear the word “intention” in everyday life, we immediately think of Jess Lively and her tagline, “Designing a life and business with intention.” (No, really, we do.) If you’re ready to stop living and working aimlessly and instill more intention in your actions, you’ll love her blog and her podcast, The Lively Show (cute name, right?).
Must-listen episode: Better Than Before: Mastering Habits Based on Your Personality With Gretchen Rubin
Kylie Patchett
Since we’re big fans of alliteration, Kylie immediately had our attention with her fun job title: “Mind, Money, + Mojo Coach.” If learning to “bust through fear, self-sabotage and overwhelm to grow [your] business” sounds pretty darn tempting, you’ll want to check out Kylie’s work. (Warning: A serious case of accent-envy is in store when you watch her videos.)
Must-read post: The Whole Truth About Entrepreneurship (It Ain’t All Sunshine + Lollipops)
Ladypreneur League
Sometimes as a solopreneur, you don’t want to read marketing advice or productivity tips. You want to crack open a bottle of wine (how many times do you think we’ll mention wine on this list?!) and focus on life outside of work -- whipping up a meal, reading a book that’s been on your Amazon wishlist a little too long, or flexing your yoga muscles. For those times, Ladypreneur League is for you.
Must-read post: 5 Tips for Keeping Fit – From Your Desk!
Laura Simms
As people who like to cuddle up with a mug of coffee, a good book, and a cozy blanket at home, we feel an instant connection to Laura’s tagline: “I’m Laura Simms, and I help people find careers that feel like home.” She adds, “Using an approach that is practical and holistic, you can find a meaningful career that also supports the kind of life you want to live.” Speaking our language, sister.
Must-read post: The Top Three Traits of People Who Do Meaningful Work
Lucky Bitch with Denise Duffield-Thomas
Maybe you’re all about the money. Or maybe thinking and talking about money makes you want to hide under the covers (with a glass of chilled white wine and Netflix, obviously...does that count as #NetflixAndChill?). Either way, Denise gives you a “fresh and funny roadmap to create an outrageously successful life and business.” We’ll take it!
Must-read post: 3 Money Taboos Nobody Talks About
mindbodygreen
Wondering if we’ve spelled and capitalized mindbodygreen correctly? In their words, “...we want to give you everything that’s great for you: mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and environmentally — because we believe these pillars of wellness are vital and interconnected. Hence mindbodygreen (one word, not three).” Our response? Bring on the wellness!
Must-read post: 5 Days To Eco-Friendly: One Simple Swap To Make Every Day This Week
The Mogul Mom
Not everyone in our community will be a mom one day, but for many, mompreneurship is a current or soon-to-be adventure. The Mogul Mom -- led by Editor-in-Chief Melissa Bolton -- will help you navigate running a biz alongside your mom duties with posts on everything from creating a media kit to whether moms should put themselves first.
Must-read post: Transitioning from Motherhood to Entrepreneurship
Project Healthy Happy Me with Naomi Arnold
When we saw the name of Naomi’s site, we were sold. Add in that her community member Fleur says Naomi’s work “radiates love,” and we couldn’t stay away. Naomi calls it “a safe place for big-hearted and mission-driven people who want to make a difference in the world” and she provides that by highlighting worldwide events like Global Sisterhood Day and sharing insights from Elizabeth Gilbert.
Must-read post: How to Give Back as a New Business Owner or Coach
Raspberry Magazine
The content in Raspberry Magazine is as fresh and inspiring as its name. From overcoming business burnout to recipe writing, creator and editor Alana has created the perfect digital magazine for the female entrepreneur who knows that business and life overlap. Subscribe to get the newest issues first, as well as a pass into the library of back issues, with cover stars like Alex Franzen, Natalie MacNeil, Hilary Rushford, and more.
Must-read article: How Gratitude Can Help You Navigate the World With Ease
Real Talk Radio with Nicole Antoinette
When we think about why we love Real Talk Radio, we can’t get past Nicole’s description of it: “refreshingly honest conversations about the wonderful mess of being human.” That’s exactly what it is, and exactly why we can’t stay away. Each season (she’s had four so far) brings on a mixed bag of athletes, entrepreneurs, parents, artists, and more, to talk things like self-care, productivity, secret dreams, and guilty pleasures.
Must-listen episode: Emma Gannon on Freelance Life, Supporting Other Women, and Avoiding the “Shoulds” of Life
Seth Godin
You might wonder how Seth -- a kingpin of digital marketing -- ends up under Mindset + Solopreneur Lifestyle on this list. Well, Seth’s been blogging for two decades, and somehow his daily posts continue to completely shift our mindset -- often in 200 words or less. The brain behind the man with the yellow glasses is extraordinary, and he often makes us think twice about commonly-held beliefs in business and life.
Must-read post: Getting Ahead vs. Doing Well
Soul Rising with Lindsay Weisenthal
We’re suckers for pretty visuals that help us better understand a message -- and Lindsay’s got ‘em. There are line graphs. There are pyramids. There are Venn diagrams. *record scratch* (Wait, whaaaa? Showstopper.) And all of them are geared toward understanding and feeding your soul, both at work and in life.
Must-read post: My Fake Plants Died
[line]
A Little Something Extra
Running a solopreneur biz is about more than accounting, marketing, and branding -- you know this. These sites and apps provide just a little something more for the solopreneur who wants to develop personally, give back, and decompress.
Calm
Just landing on Calm’s homepage inspires instant stress relief, but it’s the app that we love the most. Calm brings simplicity to meditation, making it easy for even the most stubborn meditators (cough, cough) to make it a habit. And the calendar tracking feeds our little Type-A hearts.
Must-try series: 7 Days of Calm
Clients from Hell
Whenever we need someone to confirm that we are not going crazy and that, yes, our clients are wackos, we first turn to the One Woman Shop community -- then to Clients from Hell. We’re all about taking responsibility as solopreneurs, but sometimes we just need a good ol’ dose of “WTF?! That actually happened?” to make us feel better about our own situations. The name says it all.
Must-read page: Top Client Stories
Happify
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: We’re nerds. So a tagline like “Science-based happiness games and activities” makes us giddy with...well, happiness. If you love gamification and don’t like stress, head here to get measurably more happy -- starting today.
Must-view graphic: This State of Mind Is Where Your Best Ideas Come From (Is The “Tortured Artist” a Myth?)
Highbrow
If the endless learning you experience while running your solo biz isn’t satiating your appetite for knowledge, Highbrow is for you. They offer “bite-sized email courses delivered to your inbox daily” but the catch is that you can only sign up for one at a time in order to avoid overwhelm. Courses include The Fundamentals of User Experience, Trials That Shaped the Modern World (for our fellow The Good Wife lovers out there), and Most Important Numbers in the World.
Must-try course: Incredible Female Leaders Through History
Kiva
Wanna know something that has been proven to increase your happiness? Giving. And more importantly, it serves others. Kiva “works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems.” You lend; you get repaid; you re-invest. It’s that easy.
Must-join Lending Team: The One Woman Shop Team 🙂
POPSUGAR Fitness
We think taking care of ourselves physically is pretty freakin’ important for solopreneur sanity. That’s what POPSUGAR Fitness is all about. The site talks about everything from cardio hip hop routines to mason jar lunches and killer plank variations to the importance of rest days.
Must-read post: Here’s Your Primer on HIIT Workouts
And, because we’re so generous, we wanted to leave you with a bonus resource. When you need to escape for a few minutes and meditation or Netflix aren’t cutting it, we recommend the game 1010. You’ll either love us or hate us once you become addicted...TBD.
[line]
And with that, there you have it: 100 101 amazing resources to make your solo biz incredible. And, if you’re not fully satiated yet, why not read some stories of solopreneurs who are making their way toward success? Download The Road to Solopreneur Success ebook for free today for even more actionable insights into running your solo biz.
You’ve done an amazing job getting all these together and so succinctly summarised – several of my top sites appear, and I’m so happy that my best resource, the Wellpreneur podcast and website has made it!! Thank you for quoting me too – you’ve made my day 🙂
Ah! So honored to be on this list for the second year in a row! I can’t wait to dive deep down the Internet rabbit hole to check out all these sites! <3 Thank you!
Aw, thank you so much for including me among all these amazing people! It’s such a great list.
Thanks so much for including me on the list! What a talented group to be included with!
Thank you so much for including me! What a powerhouse list!!!
Wow! Honored to be included on this list! Thanks very much.
That is a great list. I found some gems that I didn’t know about before in here (Chasing Creative and Unsettle being two of them).
I’m seriously honored to be included with these awesome people!
What an awesome list, been through EVERY SINGLE ONE! Amazing!!!
Bravo! What a fantastic resource. Proud to be featured among these amazing people 🙂
Holy cow, this list is amazing and I am truly honored to be included among these greats! And thrilled to discover a few new sites as well!
Sara + Cristina, thank you, as always, for providing amazing resources to us for our biz! I absolutely love this list!
Ahhhh! I’m so excited Design Your Own (Lovely) Blog was included. Marianne has the best blog I’ve read in… forever! Not quite sure how she does it all! ?
Hello! I just found you this morning and am amazed at such a compilation of incredible resources! I have this bookmarked and plan many many visits as I begin a new business launch. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and I am excited to begin the journey! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!
JoanMarie
Great list! My goal for next year…. make the cut!
Love this list! But you totally missed Kiffanie Stahle’s The Artist’s JD blog. 🙂 It’s fantastic for legal (and general business too) advice for artistic & creative business owners. All her posts are super actionable – never any fluff posts. I like it better than some of the other legal blogs you featured (though they’re good too).
What a great list!! Thanks for consolidating all of this and making it readily available to everyone. Bookmark!!!
– Jeff
Oh my goodness, only just seeing this now. Feel so honoured. Thank you.
What a fantastic resource, lots of new names as well as old favourites.
A lovely list of fantastic people with missions. I know quite a few online, but some are new to me. Will take some time to visit.
A fantastic list! Bookmarked this page for future reference.
Came across this blog looking for some great resources for solopreneurs! Great list! I think you got every aspect covered!