How to start a career as a solopreneur in Bangladesh

Before launching a business, most entrepreneurs think about building a team after funding.  However, it's entirely possible to start solo.

With just a personal computer and the right skills, even in Bangladesh, anyone can launch a small business or work as a solopreneur. A solopreneur is someone who runs their business independently, without any team or employees. This path offers complete freedom but demands a high level of motivation, hard work, and the ability to strategically use one's skills and intelligence. The solopreneurship model is particularly well-suited for students, recent graduates, or individuals looking to leverage their skills independently after leaving a job.

Why is solopreneurship a great business model in Bangladesh?
As of January 2024, Bangladesh has over 120 million internet users, with a growing trust in online shopping. This vast online audience presents a huge opportunity for starting small, one-person businesses. Bangladesh is also ranked among the top 10 freelancing countries, generating over Tk1 billion in revenue in 2020 alone.  Transitioning from freelancing to solopreneurship could significantly boost both profitability and scalability. Starting an online business here is affordable—just Tk10,000 (or $100) covers essentials like domain hosting, marketing, and ads. With lower startup costs compared to Western countries, solopreneurship offers a viable path to success.

How to start?
Here are four easy ways  to begin and sustain your solopreneur journey:

Freelancing
Freelancing is one of the simplest ways to start. Whether you're skilled in writing, graphic design, programming, or digital marketing, you can earn through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour. To avoid marketplace competition, you can also attract clients directly through social media or your website. Bangladeshi freelancers earn between $10 and $30 per hour. Just remember to focus on building a strong online presence and retaining clients for recurring revenue.
Online store
With even a single product or service, you can start your own online business. You can create your own website or sell through Facebook Commerce or e-commerce platforms like Daraz. A targeted audience of 5,000 can generate a monthly income of Tk20,000 to Tk100,000, depending on the product type. To start, you'll need a product or service, an optimised platform, a marketing plan, and a small budget. A helpful tip: offering the main product along with a smaller gift (valued at half the main product) can create a more valuable and best-selling product.

Digital content creation
If you enjoy creating content—be it visual, audio, or written—you can start your solopreneurship in the Creator Economy. By building a target audience on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or a personal blog, you can monetise your content. All you need is one type of content, a smartphone, and consistency. Patience and delivering value are key to long-term success. From my 7-8 years of experience writing content, I've learned this: whatever you write or create, make sure it has value. If it lacks value, even viral content won't be profitable in the long run.

Online mentorship or consultancy
If you're skilled in a specific subject, like maths, digital marketing, or law, you can offer online mentorship or consultancy. You can charge anywhere from Tk500 to Tk10,000 per hour, depending on your expertise. After interacting with more than 200 agencies, founders and hundreds of freelancers and solopreneurs over the past two years, I learned that the more value you provide, the more high-quality clients you'll attract. Starting online eliminates the need to meet clients in person, making it an ideal solopreneurship path.

5 tips from my 5 years of solopreneurship

Here are five key lessons every solopreneur should keep in mind to stay on course:

• Successful solopreneurs always start with a clear niche. Focus on one product or service, and commit to sticking with it for at least five years.
• No matter what path you take, having an optimised platform will set you apart and make you appear more professional to clients or customers.
• In the early stages, solopreneurs often work more than 10 hours a day. Stay motivated by mastering time management to keep your energy and focus intact.
• Start small. Whether it's Apple, Google, or entrepreneurs like Gary Vaynerchuk and Justin Welsh, everyone begins modestly and grows over time.
• Understanding both money and skill development is crucial. The more you focus on financial literacy and continuous learning, the smoother your solopreneurship journey will be.

These tips come from years of personal experience and challenges. Building a one-person business in Bangladesh is no longer just a dream—it's entirely achievable. Despite the complexities of our economic and political situation, we can contribute to improving the country's future by taking small steps, driven by our ideas and motivation.