🖐 Happy Wednesday!

Issue #52 is a 3.0-minute read.

1 big topic: Waves of Loneliness Hit Solopreneurs

When you run a business on your own, it’s vital to get energy from people who don’t share your last name.

Why it matters: When your spirits are high, your output grows, and your business thrives.

The problem: When you work alone for too many days in a row, you lose focus and start to think about what’s not working.

You miss the officemates who make you laugh.

You miss the in-person meetings to share ideas.

You miss the coffee breaks to vent with a buddy.

Face it.

You crave the back and forth of an in-person chat.

When your days are long and you need zip, I empathize.

The backstory: I fought huge crowds in NYC when I took the train from 85th and 1st down to Wall Street.

I sat in meetings that were worthless and worked on projects that went nowhere.

When I started my own gig, my days were my own, and I had only myself to keep in the loop.

😐 It was bliss.

As the months and miles flew by, I had days when I was not myself.

When I talked with a solopreneur coach, it hit me that I was missing the good parts of employee life.

And there were many.

I needed to meet, talk, and share with other humans.

Zoom in: Today, you have thousands of tools to write, build, and deliver your product.

If you build your biz the right way, 90% of what you do to make money is on autopilot, making you money while you sleep.

You want to make the other 10% more fun.

😕 It’s hard to play owner, builder, and thinker all by yourself.

There’s a big difference between being on your own and being all alone.

Bridge this gap, and you’ll have more zest for the solo space.

💥 This week’s business story:

Data Leaks: Your Customers Want Answers

The awful security breach at National Public Data, a leader in background checks, reminds you that it’s your 24/7 duty to safeguard your customer’s data. ⁽¹⁾

Why it matters: It takes a long time to win a customer and only seconds to lose them if you have trouble protecting their info.

How this helps you: The crisis at National Public Data is a bold wake-up call for how, what, and when you tell your customers about a system breach.

Beyond the obvious of telling them about the leak, you might share the following:

• How long did it take you to find out their data went to the wrong people?
  

• What is your system for checking up on how your business collects, stores, and secures their info?
  

• What is your website’s privacy policy, and do you need to share specific terms and conditions?
  

Data leaks are, sadly, routine.

It’s helpful to chat with an expert to make sure you take the right steps to safeguard customer data.

We can all try to improve.

1 fun idea: Turn Off Your Phone and Get Jiggy

Each time you go to an event, it’s a chance to meet one person who can change your life.

Why it matters: Even with AI running your business while you sleep, it’s the people you meet that are likely to be your next great client.

Between the lines: It’s easy to turn off your PC at the end of the day, pick up your phone, and start scrolling.

📲 The TikTok video of the python in Walmart and the cat playing Taylor Swift hits on the piano won’t bring you business.

September is the perfect time to get in the groove, get out, and meet new people.

Facebook (I know…) has tons of local networking events to explore, and your city has social calendars.

You might be rusty at shaking hands, and it’s time to fix that.

People still buy from people.

😁 I hope today’s newsletter topics are helpful.

Stay curious and keep opening doors.

-Erik

Hitting $50,000 in annual sales is a huge milestone.

If you’re there, that’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

The move from $50,000 to $150,000 is a bit harder.

When you’re ready, let’s get you to $150,000.

Your 90-minute consulting session brings light to your business and gives you a path.

You deserve it.

Notes:

⁽¹⁾ Ron Lieber, What to Know About the Latest Social Security Number Breach, The New York Times, August 15, 2024, last viewed August 19, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/business/social-security-numbers-stolen-hack.html?searchResultPosition=2