27 January 2025
Michelle Knight,
The Life Passion Coach
Mindset Transformation
Today, I’ll be talking about the skills you already have, that you probably aren’t even aware of, the ones we call “transferable skills”. I’ll also help you realise how you can play to your strengths as you go down the solopreneur journey. I’d like to help you move from overwhelm to success. To find out more, you’ll have to read this post.
Bonjour mes amis et bienvenue! I am The Life Passion Coach, Michelle Knight. I’m a semi retired solopreneur digital nomad, a passport stamp collector and an avid reader and motorcyclist. Today I want to talk to you about the skills you already have, that you probably aren’t even aware of, and how you can play to your strengths as you go down the solopreneur journey.
Have you ever started something new and felt completely overwhelmed by everything you don’t know? It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of self-doubt, focusing on what could go wrong rather than recognizing what you already bring to the table. But here’s the thing—chances are, you already have a wealth of skills that you can apply to your solopreneur journey, even if you don’t realize it yet.
Take my experience with launching a podcast. I had listened to plenty of them, but I had no idea how to actually create one. The technical aspects—recording, editing, and distributing episodes—felt like an insurmountable challenge. Even something as simple as figuring out the right software seemed daunting. My early attempts at recording on my phone quickly proved inadequate, and I found myself wondering if I was in over my head.
But then I took a step back. I reminded myself that I had tackled new challenges before. I enjoy researching and “shopping around” for solutions—whether it’s finding the right podcast hosting platform or choosing a new dentist. I also love learning new software, and I realized that I could apply this same enthusiasm to finding and mastering podcasting tools. Once I reframed my perspective, the process became enjoyable rather than intimidating. If you’ve listened to my first few episodes, you might have noticed slight variations as I experimented with different techniques and platforms. It was all part of the learning curve.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson: I was already equipped with transferable skills that helped me navigate an entirely new venture. Transferable skills, also known as “portable skills” or “soft skills,” are abilities that carry over from one job, industry, or life experience to another. They allow you to position your past experience in a new light, making them invaluable whether you’re switching careers or starting a business.
For instance, if you’ve ever coached a sports team or led a community group, you’ve developed communication and leadership skills that will serve you well in business. Even something as simple as volunteering at a soup kitchen requires teamwork, time management, and the ability to follow instructions—all essential skills for any solopreneur.
Here are 10 transferable skills you likely already have that will be invaluable as you build your solopreneur business:
Understanding and leveraging your transferable skills can give you a significant advantage as you step into solopreneurship. You may feel like you are starting from scratch, but in reality, you already have a strong foundation. Many of the skills you’ve used in previous jobs, hobbies, or volunteer roles are directly applicable to running your own business.
For example, problem-solving is one of the most critical skills you can bring to entrepreneurship. Whether it’s troubleshooting a technical issue, figuring out how to attract more clients, or finding creative ways to market your business on a budget, your ability to assess challenges and develop solutions will be a game-changer. If you’ve ever had to navigate a difficult project at work or find a last-minute solution for an event, you’ve already honed this skill.
Effective communication is another must-have. As a solopreneur, you’ll be writing emails, creating content, engaging with customers, and possibly even speaking in public. If you’ve ever managed customer service, written reports, or given presentations, you’ve been developing communication skills all along.
So, how can you play to your strengths? It starts with recognizing what you naturally excel at and using those skills to drive your business forward. Instead of focusing on areas where you struggle, lean into your strengths and delegate or outsource tasks that don’t align with them.
By aligning your work with your strengths, you not only become more efficient but also enjoy a more fulfilling entrepreneurial journey. Confidence grows when you operate from a place of competence, and that confidence fuels your ability to overcome challenges.
While you likely already have a solid set of transferable skills, there’s always room for growth. Here are a few ways to continue developing them:
As a solopreneur, one thing is certain: change is constant. To thrive, you need a willingness to experiment, take risks, and maintain a strategic mindset. In the early stages, you’ll wear many hats—customer service, marketing, sales, accounting, and more. Your ability to adapt and leverage your existing skills will determine how smoothly you transition into this new role.
In the beginning, the business is all about what you can create and build as fast as possible. You’re doing everything—answering customer calls, handling marketing, managing finances—whatever it takes to get your venture off the ground. Collaboration, flexibility, and problem-solving are essential. But the biggest transferable skill you already have is a willingness to try something new.
The ability to pivot, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward is what separates successful solopreneurs from those who give up too soon. While having a strong set of transferable skills provides a foundation, it’s your mindset and determination that will ultimately drive your success.
As your business grows, you’ll also want to develop a strategy for balancing your strengths with areas where you may need support. No one excels at everything, and that’s okay. The key is to recognize where you shine and where it makes sense to bring in help.
For example, if you’re great at content creation but struggle with bookkeeping, hiring an accountant can free up your time and mental energy. If you’re a fantastic strategist but don’t love executing details, working with a virtual assistant can help keep things running smoothly.
Honing in on your transferable skills gives you a base to operate from as your venture grows. It will also help you build a team that balances out your strengths and weaknesses so that your business can continue to thrive.
At the end of the day, your unique combination of skills and experiences is what sets you apart. I would like to invite you to consider that you already have more of what it takes to succeed than you think. So, embrace your strengths, trust in your abilities, and take that next step toward building the business—and the life—you’ve been dreaming of. Your solopreneur journey is not about starting from zero; it’s about leveraging everything you’ve already learned to create something amazing, and enjoying the process along the way.
Here are a few articles I found on the definition of transferable skills and how to use them to your benefit:
indeed.com/transferable-skills
flexjobs.com/transferable-skills
careers.govt.nz/your-transferable-skills-can-take-you-anywhere
This month is kind of special – this being the first week of february. You see, I’m launching a brand new FREE Masterclass webinar called “Passion To Profit: How to Turn Your Interests Into A Solopreneur Business”. You can sign up for this masterclass on my website at Envogue Coaching (all one word) dot-com – that’s Envogue Coaching dot-com, Envogue spelled the French way E-N-V-O-G-U-E.
To celebrate the launch of my new webinar, I have decided to give something back to you all and offer a FREE month of coaching – that’s 4 x 45-minute sessions – to create a personalised plan for three lucky people that I’m connected with on my website.
The condition of entry into this competition is that only people who have subscribed to my podcast directly on the SubStack site or have signed up to my newsletter on my website or signed up to attend my new FREE masterclass webinar will go in the draw. Each lucky winner will walk away with a plan forward and a place to start on how to reach their semi retirement goals. I will announce the winners in a future episode.
So if you would like to be coached by me, for FREE, go ahead and connect with me on my website Envogue Coaching (all one word) dot-com – that’s Envogue Coaching dot-com, Envogue spelled the French way E-N-V-O-G-U-E. Alternatively, you can send me a private message on my facebook page or on instagram and I’d love to see how I can support you in your life goals.
Thank you for reading this BLOG post of the “Freedom Unleashed: Solopreneurship” Broadcast. Believe in yourself and trust the process. Always look for new opportunities and be open to change. Enjoy the journey and make the most of it. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Take the first step, embrace the journey, and rediscover the excitement and purpose that life has to offer. Until next time, stay passionate.
I will leave you with my final thoughts:
BDK – Be Brave, Be Different and Be Kind. Remember: Laughter is the answer to everything.
Je vous remercie et je vous souhaite une bonne journée.
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