You\u2019ve put in the late nights, the weekends and the hustle. And now, what started as an opportunity to make extra money has turned into an enterprise with real potential.<\/p>\n
If you handle everything on your own \u2013 logistics, production, marketing, finances and everything in between \u2013 you\u2019re part of a growing group of entrepreneurs nicknamed \u201csolopreneurs.\u201d While the image of a small business often includes an owner and a few employees, for many entrepreneurs, \u201csolopreneurship\u201d makes the most sense for their business model and goals.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re considering the solopreneur life or have already launched your business, JPMorganChase offers five helpful tips for you to grow your business in 2026.<\/p>\n
1. Identify or solidify a business opportunity.<\/p>\n
If you want to become a solopreneur or enhance your current offerings, look for a need in Sacramento or come up with an innovative idea. Maybe it\u2019s a service that can help others or a product that could enhance or simplify their lives.<\/p>\n
Once you have your big idea, careful planning and preparation can give your startup its best shot at becoming a success. That can include researching your industry\u2019s trends to see if you\u2019re meeting a niche or a growing need. Look for long-term demand and\u202funderstand your total addressable market<\/a>, not just seasonal or trendy success.<\/p>\n 2. Make a business plan.<\/p>\n Start by writing or refining a\u202fbusiness description<\/a>\u202fto outline your goals and strategy. Your plan doesn\u2019t have to be long, but it should outline your mission, goals, competitive analysis, marketing approach and financial forecasts.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re already running a business, examine your customer base. Do you have repeat customers? Are they referring others to you? Side hustles that work have a steady and growing customer base. If yours does, it\u2019s a positive sign your business may be ready for the next step.<\/p>\n 3. Maximize savings to impact growth.<\/p>\n Many entrepreneurs use some personal savings to get their businesses started but also pursue business lines of credit<\/a>\u202for\u202fsmall business loans<\/a>\u202fto fund equipment and marketing plans. No matter how you get started, prioritizing saving along the way will help secure the funds you need to get your business up and running. One powerful tool for solo entrepreneurs is\u202fthe new Solo 401(k) from JPMorganChase<\/a>. This plan is designed for business owners without full-time employees, apart from their spouse, and allows for high annual contributions \u2014 up to $72,000 for themselves and their spouse \u2014 with both pre-tax and Roth options.<\/p>\n The key is consistency. According to data from Chase, whileSolo 401(k) accounts<\/a> are a popular choice for self-employed business owners, 70% didn\u2019t contribute in the past year. Building small, sustainable habits \u2014 such as setting up automatic monthly contributions or scheduling quarterly check-ins with a financial advisor \u2014 can strengthen follow-through. Over time, these simple actions add up, helping ensure Solo 401(k) accounts reach their full potential and deliver meaningful long-term results.<\/p>\n You could also look for additional financing from angel investors\u2014wealthy individuals that can provide small investments, usually in the very early stages of a business. Angel investors accept more risk but want an ownership stake. Crowdfunding can also be beneficial for solopreneurs. With the right product and approach, you can raise small dollar amounts from a large pool of individual online backers with the bonus of connecting with your target customers early on.<\/p>\n 4. Develop your marketing and brand strategy.<\/p>\n Define your brand voice and value proposition and choose the right marketing channels for growth. You might explore channels such as social media, email marketing or paid advertising. As you set a realistic marketing budget, consider the cost of tools, advertising and outsourced services like graphic design or content writing. Start small, measure results and scale what works.<\/p>\n You should also build a strong network to find mentors who can provide startup advice. Stay focused on your target audience so you can market to them effectively.<\/p>\n 5. Plan for growth and operations.<\/p>\n The logistical side of\u202fentrepreneurship<\/a> includes thinking about order fulfillment, customer service, project management and scheduling. Invest in the right tools to streamline daily operations, improve customer experience and save time.<\/p>\n A final note: Self-employment comes with new tax responsibilities, including\u202fquarterly estimated taxes<\/a>\u202fand self-employment tax. You may also need to collect and remit sales tax, depending on your industry\u2014and you could have to pay sales tax in all the states where your goods or services are sold.<\/p>\n You may already be operating as a sole proprietor, but going full time could mean exploring a more formal business structure. While creating an LLC for your side hustle is common, consider which structure best supports your long-term goals and legal needs. Depending on your industry, you may need licenses, permits, insurance, contracts or compliance paperwork before you can legally or safely scale operations.<\/p>\n If you want more assistance in taking your solo business to the next level, your local financial institution has resources that can help. You can also reach out to a\u202fChase business banker<\/a>\u202ftoday for more information and advice.<\/p>\n This article is for Informational\/Educational Purposes Only: The opinions expressed in this article may differ from the official policy or position of (or endorsement by) JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates. Opinions and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice\/recommendations for any individual or business. The material is not intended to provide legal,\u202ftax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.<\/p>\n Deposit products provided\u202fJPMorgan Chase\u202fBank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.<\/p>\n ABOUT EVERYDAY 401(k) BY J.P. MORGAN<\/p>\n Everyday 401(k) is a recordkeeping service available to customers. This service is provided by JPMorgan Invest Holdings, LLC (JPMIH). After enrolling in the service, customers are directed to J.P. Morgan Asset Management for investments. All investments made will be tracked by the recordkeeping service. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. It is educational in nature and not designed to be a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature or other purposes. The information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. Certain recordkeeping and related services for plans may be provided on behalf of JPMIH by Vestwell Holdings Inc. Vestwell Holdings Inc. provides various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services on its proprietary recordkeeping platform to support tax-qualified retirement plans. To learn more about Vestwell Holdings Inc. and its services, please visit vestwell.com<\/a>. J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates worldwide. If you are a person with a disability and need additional support in viewing the material, please call 1-800-343-1113for assistance. Telephone calls and electronic communications may be monitored and\/or recorded. Personal data will be collected, stored and processed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management in accordance with our privacy policies. Material ID 07392dc3-eca2-11f0-8416-5182a1487a0d<\/p>\n \u202f\u00a9 2026\u202fJPMorgan Chase\u202f& Co.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You\u2019ve put in the late nights, the weekends and the hustle. 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