When you first start out in the world of business, you’re often working with a solopreneur business model.
Launching a business on your own and bootstrapping it from the bottom up is something you should certainly be proud of. But at some point, you may find that you’re ready to expand.
When that’s the case, it might be time for you to shift into a CEO mindset to do it.
Here’s how:
- Create a solid plan
- Invest in office space
- Hire a team
- Negotiate with suppliers
- Shift to long-term thinking
- Delegate with purpose
- Develop your leadership voice
- Build systems that scale
Let’s get into each of these.
Contents
Create a Solid Plan
A solopreneur mindset can be scrappy.
You might be focusing on just getting the job done and trying to stay afloat. But as you begin to grow the company, thinking like a CEO is all about strategically planning. If you want to take the business to new heights, you have to focus on the goals you’re trying to achieve and create a plan of action to help you get there.
Invest in Office Space
Working from your bedroom or coffee shops may have worked well for you in the beginning, but when you want to grow the company, you need to make sure that you look the part.
This is where signing a lease on office space comes in. It’s one of the biggest steps towards growth.
Hire a Team
If you’re going to become the kind of CEO you dream of, it means taking on a team.
You’re not going to be able to grow the business and take things to the level you have in mind if you’re doing everything alone. So at some point, you’re going to need to focus on hiring your first employees. Here, it’s important to think about the kinds of tasks you need support with and what roles you’re looking to fill.
As you start to fill your office with staff, you’ll be stepping more into CEO’s shoes.
Negotiate With Suppliers
If you want to be a boss, it’s time to act like one – this is where your negotiation skills will come in.
You’ll need them when you’re looking to get the best deals for the company. In every business, there are always parts or equipment that you need to create the products or deliver the service. It might be searching for a specific kunkle valve or sourcing thousands of the right labels. The important thing is that you’re able to source the right suppliers and negotiate with them effectively.
A bold CEO knows how to do business in this way.
Shift to Long-Term Thinking
Ultimately, one of the things that will really help you here is for you to make sure that you’re shifting over to long-term thinking.
As a CEO, you’ll be focusing on the longevity of the business. You’ll also be making decisions based on where you want to be or the goals you’re trying to achieve, not based on where you are today.
So as you start to shift the way you think and how you make decisions, you’ll find that you can start acting and moving more like a CEO and take your business a lot more seriously.
Delegate with Purpose
At first, it’s tempting to do everything yourself.
You wear every hat, juggle every task, and answer every email. But CEOs don’t do that. They trust their people. Delegating isn’t just about handing off work—it’s about empowering others so you can focus on what actually grows the business.
Think of it like chess.
You move pieces strategically, not just to take action, but to win. Start by letting go of low-leverage tasks and keep your energy for big-picture decisions.
Develop Your Leadership Voice
Being the boss isn’t about giving orders.
It’s about showing up every day with clarity, vision, and consistency. This is especially true when you’re building your brand as a thought leader. You don’t just run a business. You represent it. Your team, partners, and even clients look to you for guidance.
That means communicating clearly, making values-based decisions, and setting the cultural tone for everything your company does.
Speak with confidence. Lead with purpose.
Build Systems That Scale
Solopreneurs hustle.
CEOs build engines.
That means putting systems in place—whether it’s for sales, onboarding, content creation, or customer service—that can run without you. Systems are how you stop trading hours for impact. They create freedom, consistency, and room to grow. Start by documenting what you do every day.
Then ask: “Could someone else do this?” If the answer is yes, systemize it and get out of the way.
Ready to Upgrade Your Solopreneur Business Model?
Shifting from solopreneur to CEO isn’t about fancy titles or corner offices.
It’s about thinking bigger. It’s about building something that doesn’t fall apart when you step away for a day—or a week. You started with hustle. Now it’s time to add structure, strategy, and scale.
The solopreneur business model got you off the ground. But if you’re serious about growing, leading, and creating real impact, you need to evolve how you think, act, and lead. That shift starts now. Not when everything is perfect. Not when you’re “ready.” But today.
So ask yourself—are you running a business or building a legacy?
