From Solo to Micro: The Power of Micropreneurship

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, a new breed of business owners has emerged, making waves with their unique approach and resilient spirit: the micropreneur.

This term might be new to some, but its significance cannot be underestimated. As someone with a career in community-building (micro-networks) and emerging tech (e.g. micropayment-based technologies), I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the rise of micropreneurs firsthand — now including myself.

Because, in fact, micropreneurs thrive in micro-networks (aka “communities”), which are smaller, and more tight-knit by design. And they’re starting to command more revenue and profit, without worrying about the same type of overheads larger companies have to deal with.

In this post, I’ll delve into the:

• Strengths that define micropreneurs
• Ancient examples of micro-entrepreneurial traits
• Why micropreneurship over solopreneurship
• How micropreneurs are shaping the landscape of modern business in a world of AI, blockchain, and even quantum computing.

Defining Micropreneurs

Micropreneurs are essentially the evolution of solopreneurs, those individuals who single-handedly drive their businesses forward but with an intentionally small number of supporters. Micropreneurs of today take it a step further by harnessing emerging technologies like AI or blockchain, to do and earn more with less. This unique blend of innovation and “micro” size sets them apart and empowers them to create meaningful impact, without sacrificing family life or time freedom.

Ancient examples of “micropreneurs” could include merchants, craftspeople, artisans, street vendors, and even itinerant traders. Mostly nomadic and thriving on smaller scales.

Horseback archers of the Steppe. Volcano Ridge Mounted Archers. Source: History Collection

My favorite historical example of a micro player achieving big things is Genghis (Chinggis) Khan and the Mongols. By keeping their forces small and lean, they were able to outpace, outsmart, and outmaneuver players often double or triple their size. This is the essence of a micropreneur.

Strengths of Micropreneurs

1. Self-Reliance & Problem-Solving Skills: Micropreneurs excel in self-reliance and problem-solving. Their independent natures allow them to overcome challenges and find innovative solutions, as they handle various aspects of their business but are open to collaboration.
2. Adaptability & Flexibility: Micropreneurs are quick to adapt to changing circumstances. Due to their smaller scale, they can swiftly pivot strategies and respond to market trends and customer demands. This is what I’ve been able to do throughout my career.
3. Creativity & Individuality: Micropreneurs embrace creativity and infuse their personality into their business. This enables them to differentiate themselves and stand out from larger competitors. They’re big on individuality, even if working with others.
4. Efficient Time Management: Micropreneurs excel in time management. They prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and maximize productivity to achieve more in less time. Some of my favorite tools for handling this include Sunsama, Notion, and Postwise AI.
5. Strong 1:1 Relationships: Micropreneurs prioritize building strong relationships with fewer people, than larger shallow ones. They provide personalized attention and exceptional customer service, resulting in loyal customers and trust-based partnerships.

Micro > Solo

Micropreneurs and solopreneurs each have their own unique strengths and advantages. For a brief while, I thought I was a solopreneur (and that I wanted to be one), but quickly realized this to be false. While both operate on a small scale and exhibit qualities like adaptability and self-reliance, micropreneurs have an edge due to their ability to work well with others.

Even some of the most well-known, self-proclaimed solopreneurs — from Justin Welsh to Dan Koe — may in fact be micropreneurs. Because if you look under the hood, they still lean on the help or expertise of people other than themselves. For Justin, he has his wife. For Dan, he has other collaborators. But it’s understandable why “solopreneurship” has become fashionable in today’s environment. Just note that these players may not in fact be fully “solo” — it’s just good and timely marketing in a post-COVID, remote work, gig-based economy.

Leveraging AI, Blockchain & Quantum

OpenAI's Tiny Army vs Meta-Google's Dream Team

With a lean workforce of just about 375 individuals, San Francisco-based OpenAI has achieved an impressive record of breakthroughs and advancements in the field of AI, especially in the past two years.

Micropreneurs can leverage emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and quantum computing to enhance their businesses in several ways. Firstly, they can utilize AI-powered tools and automation to streamline processes, improve customer experience, and optimize marketing campaigns.

Secondly, blockchain technology can provide secure and transparent transactions, enabling micropreneurs to build trust with partners and customers. Lastly, although quantum computing is still in its early stages, micropreneurs can stay informed about its developments as it has the potential to revolutionize data analysis, encryption, and optimization.