Being a microbusiness owner means wearing a lot of hats; sometimes all at once. Which can seriously warm your head.
You’re the CEO. The bookkeeper. The marketing director. The IT support team. And, depending on your setup, maybe even the office janitor, especially if you have cute doggos or kittens in your home office. It’s a lot to manage.
And yet, microbusinesses are key engines of our economy. According to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, 92% of all businesses are considered microbusinesses. That means that they have fewer than 10 (sometimes fewer than 5) employees. And according to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, American microbusinesses made up 74.8% of all private-sector employers and provided 10.3% of all private-sector jobs
Whether you’re a marketing consultant (like me!), content creator, graphic or web designer, or run a niche service-based business, running a microbusiness is no small feat. You’re building something meaningful to you, often from scratch, with limited resources but more heart than the Tin Man.
As someone who’s currently living this life and working with others who do as well, I want to share some hard-earned, real-world tips that can help you not just stay afloat but grow with confidence, intention, and joy.
Protect Your Time: It’s Your Most Valuable Asset
When you’re a team of one or a few, time becomes your most valuable currency. You may have more time than money in some absolute sense, but every hour you spend on or in your business is precious. Everything we do is either moving the business forward or dragging it sideways.
That’s why prioritization isn’t optional. It’s essential. I know it helps keep me sane and grounded during the workday. But how do you put prioritization into practice?
For starters, spend time identifying which tasks drive business results. Things like strategy, client work, marketing, and visibility efforts. And protect them like a bouncer guarding the VIP list at a Beyoncé show.
There are different tactics to enact prioritization, such as the Eisenhower Matrix (one of my favorites). Time-blocking your calendar, batching similar tasks together, and using task management tools like Trello or ClickUp (or even a well-organized document) can be game-changers. I use the task management system right in my Bonsai software, and some of my associates use Notion or similar platforms.
And yes, breaks and boundaries are part of time management too. Because, as my friend and associate, the Mentally Fit Founder, Lauren Perna, likes to remind us, “Mental health is health.” Don’t fall into the trap of glorifying hustle culture, despite all those hyperactive talking heads you see on LinkedIn and YouTube. Rest is also a business investment (one of my favorites, in fact!).
Keep Your Finances Simple, but Structured (the KYSS system?)
This is the part of the business I found most terrifying when I began work as a part-time freelance SEO Consultant. And I still find it can be anxiety-provoking today as the founder of Reiser Digital. But you don’t have to be an Excel wizard or a multimillionaire financial guru to manage your money properly.
However, you do need to know what’s coming in (hopefully a lot!), what’s going out (hopefully less!), and what you owe the IRS (very important). Rule numbers one, two, and three: keep your business and personal finances separate. Those tacos you ate last night after going out? Not a business expense.
I recommend setting up a business checking account and, if possible, getting a business credit card. Track expenses from day one. Staying on top of this will make life much easier and decrease your investment in future financial headaches.
Here’s a simple financial foundation that works for most microbusiness owners:
- Use bookkeeping tools like QuickBooks (I use this although I’m currently exploring other options) or Wave
- Set aside money for taxes every month, not just when panic sets in
- Pay yourself consistently through an owner’s draw
- Review your numbers monthly, even if it’s just over coffee with your laptop at your local Starbucks (I affectionately refer to mine as “Awkward Starbucks” because it’s the most awkward turning lane parking lot situation I’ve ever seen).
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being aware. So, stop procrastinating. Financial clarity gives us the confidence we need to make better business decisions as microbusiness owners.
Get Strategic with Your Marketing (Says the Marketing Strategist)
If you know anything about me or my business, you know the strategic side of marketing is near and dear to my little SEO-oriented heart. Yes, marketing can feel overwhelming. Especially when every guru online loves the word “omnichannel” more than President Trump loves the word “tariffs.”
But the truth is, trying to keep up with LinkedIn, Instagram, email, YouTube, TikTok, and your website blog every day or week is a fast track to marketing burnout (remember what I said earlier about mental health).
Instead, focus your energy on owning one or two marketing channels that align with both your audience and your natural strengths.
If you love writing about your business and talking to other business owners, LinkedIn is a great place to start. If you prefer working with visuals, Instagram or even YouTube may be the place for you.
Of course, I always advocate for an SEO blog strategy, not just because I love it but because paying for ads everyday sucks when you’re a microbusiness owner.
Also, once you create something, repurpose it. That blog post can become several social posts on LinkedIn or Instagram. An off-the-cuff LinkedIn comment can spark a newsletter or a long-form article. It’s a smart and efficient use of your time and resources.
Beating the System: Systematize Anything You Do More Than Twice
I know some of us are rebels like Cassian Andor or Mon Mothma who have always wanted to fight the system, not create it. However, when it comes to our businesses, repetition is our signal to create a system.
If you find yourself doing the same task more than twice, including writing welcome emails, onboarding new clients, following up on invoices, or brewing your morning coffee (my A#1 most important system for a productive day), it’s time to start putting this on autopilot.
There are many ways to systematize your processes and operations. Document them, create templates, and automate what you can (AI can be your friend here).
It might feel like overkill at first, but trust me, it’s not. Even simple systems free up our brains (and our calendar) for the creative, intelligent, inspiring work that we’re passionate about.
Tools like Calendly for meeting scheduling, Microsoft Word for creating SOPs, and client management platforms like Dubsado, Bonsai, or HoneyBook can help. Especially if you’re juggling multiple projects at once.
Don’t Ignore the Legal and Tax Stuff
With apologies to my lawyer and accounting friends (I love you), sometimes the legal and tax stuff can be boring. But trust me, your future self will thank you for taking care of it now.
Make sure your business is properly registered (mine is an LLC, but yours may be a sole proprietorship, S-Corp, or whatever works best for you). Get an EIN from the IRS. And understand your tax obligations. Yes, quarterly estimated taxes are real, though not spectacular. They don’t magically disappear like Katy Perry’s post-space flight brand credibility if you ignore them.
A short consultation with a small business accountant can save you hours of confusion and potentially thousands of dollars in mistakes. Think of it as an investment in your peace of mind, and what’s more valuable than that?
It Takes a Village (Even If You’re a Solopreneur)
For some, one of the hardest parts of running a microbusiness is the isolation you can feel working alone. This can be especially true of solopreneurs.
But you don’t have to do it alone. Find your people! Like the truth, they are out there. You may find them in a Discord or Slack group, a LinkedIn community, a co-working space, or a networking group centered in your local community. Or just a few trusted colleagues you check in with regularly (shout out to my peeps!).
If you’re lucky enough to already be part of a professional circle, lean into it. Ask questions, share insights, celebrate wins, and show up for others. Because there is plenty of help and success to go around. Business is best when it’s built on relationships, not just transactions. Even when you’re flying solo.
Know Your Worth! (and When It’s Time to Raise Your Rates)
Many microbusiness owners undercharge at the beginning. It’s common as we are getting our feet under us and learning the ropes of running our own businesses. But over time, as our experience, confidence, and results grow, our pricing should reflect that.
If you’re constantly booked out, feel drained at your current rate, or realize your pricing doesn’t match the quality you deliver, it’s time to reassess. Raising your rates isn’t just about earning more, it’s about signaling the value you provide.
A few signs you’re ready to raise your prices:
- Your services are consistently in demand
- You’ve leveled up your skills or niche
- Your current rate no longer feels sustainable
Pricing is positioning. Charge in a way that reflects your education, experience, expertise, and the transformation you deliver, not just your hours.
Microbusinesses: Not “Small” but Focused
Being a microbusiness owner like us isn’t about thinking small. Quite the opposite. But it’s about working hard and smart. It’s about building a business that aligns with our values and passions, lifestyle, goals, and vision of success.
You don’t need a giant team or millions in funding to make a real impact in business. You need clarity, consistency, focus, and the courage to keep showing up, even when things get hard or messy.
So, here’s to us microbusiness owners: the solopreneurs, the creative independents, the consultants, and the one-person powerhouses. We’re doing amazing. Keep going. We’re not small—we’re mighty!
Learn more about Reiser Digital, me, and my business journey here.