4 years as independant - The rollercoaster of going solo
View of Lake Geneva from the WEF headquarters
I remember one of my first days at the World Economic Forum in 2011. I had just joined this prestigious organization, based in Cologny, overlooking the stunning “Lac Léman” and Geneva.
That morning, as I sat with other newcomers, a Managing Director told us: "Working at the Forum is like a rollercoaster, every day is different, emotions can be high, and the pressure is real."
After nearly eight years at the WEF, I can confirm he was right. It was dynamic, demanding, and I loved most of it. But looking back, that rollercoaster was on tracks. Setting up my own business? That was more like jumping off the world’s highest infinity pool in Dubai ;-).
As a solopreneur, your morning can be spent "jumping off the roof" with excitement, your afternoon crying in frustration, and your evening opening a bottle of wine to celebrate a small win.
Here are a few takeways I would like to share with you based on my personal story and experience as setting up an independant business.
Diversify and adapt
Four years ago, I did a "full reset." I quit my job, moved to a country where I barely spoke the language, and took a break to focus on my family and my own learning. I explored many things: opening a food truck, an Airbnb for wine cellars, catering, translation... you name it.
Eventually, I combined my new coaching certifications with my previous corporate experience. Today, it all makes sense. But at the time? I felt lost. I felt like the step was too big.
What helped along the way? Staying curious, staying open to try new things, speak to people, challenge myself and follow my instinct. And once something works, once something interesting starts (positive feedback from a client, when you identify something has potential, when there is a market and when you can really make a contribution) then go for it.. I also realized I couldn't be a "pure" coach 40 hours a week; I would burn out and also struggle to find enough clients. I chose to diversify into Talent Acquisition and Career Advising not just for business stability, but to protect my mental health.
Stay alert when successful, stay calm when nothing happens
This is the toughest part for me. It's very difficult not to feel too good when all the planets are aligned and requests are queuing. It’s easy to think it will stay that way forever. It won’t.
Solopreneurship is a game of anticipation. As Tim Ferriss suggests with his "fear-setting" exercise: ask yourself, what is the worst thing that could happen? Once you face that, the "dark" periods become less scary. Like the Kavinsky / Nightcall lyrics say: "I’m gonna show you where it’s dark, but have no fear." Trust the process. The effort will eventually materialize into something positive.
You’re alone... but you’re not
This is the paradox of working for yourself.
You ultimately decide.
You manage your own schedule.
You are the boss.
You do what you want.
But you're alone. It's just you…and you.
It took me time to realize how heavy that silence can be. When you are the only one carrying the vision, the inner critic can get very loud. To counter this, I’ve learned two essential rules for the "lonely" solopreneur:
Build your "Personal Board of Directors": You need a circle of people who have "been there, done that." Find a peer group or a mentor where you can speak the "unfiltered" truth. Sharing what’s in your head takes the power away from the stress.
The Law of Reciprocity: Be generous. Give advice, make introductions, and share resources without expecting an immediate return. When you build a community based on generosity, you realize that while you may work for yourself, you aren't working by yourself. The network you support becomes the safety net that catches you when the rollercoaster dips.
So, was it worth the jump?
Some days, the answer is an enthusiastic yes. Other days, it’s a quiet “I’m working on it.” And it is perfectly okay.
Going solo didn’t give me certainty, stability, or a linear path. What it gave me instead was ownership: of my time, my choices, my energy, and the kind of impact I want to make. It forced me to listen more closely to myself, to accept cycles of doubt and confidence, and to redefine success beyond titles or organizations.
Independence is about building the capacity to adapt, to stay curious, and to keep moving even when the view ahead is foggy.
If you’re thinking about making a similar move, don’t wait until fear disappears. It probably won’t. You learn by doing, adjusting, and asking for help along the way. And little by little, you build something that actually feels like yours.
