3 Signs You Are Burned Out From Your Business Services
April 9, 2024
Over the last few years, I have worked with women solopreneurs that have mentioned feeling burned out with their business. I have found that these women need to redesign their business structure and offerings. In working with solopreneurs, I’ve discovered there are three distinct signs when they are ready to transition from burnout to sustainability:
Business is not providing adequate revenue.
Many solopreneurs find themselves in a constant struggle with their business's financial aspect. Despite pouring in effort and time, the revenue generated often falls short of expectations. If you can relate to this experience, you're not alone.
One common factor behind insufficient revenue is undervaluing your services. As solopreneurs, it's natural to want to offer accessible pricing but oftentimes this means not charging enough. Perhaps not accounting for the actual time involved to render the service (i.e. prep before, during and post work).
Solopreneurs are also limited on the number of clients they work with during a period of time. While offering one-on-one services can be personally fulfilling, it can also be restricting in terms of overall financial growth.
Marketing and promoting services can also be an additional challenge in making enough revenue. Many women tend to feel uncomfortable with marketing because it can feel like self-promotion. Or, for some they avoid marketing because they don’t really want to share about their services. As a result, potential clients continue to be unaware of their valuable services.
2. Everything depends on you; you are only providing 1:1 client services.
The typical business model for many solopreneurs is offering a selection of one-to-one client services. In the online space and particularly on social media, working with clients is a big deal. Conversations often revolve around client work. While there is nothing wrong with one-to-one client services (and offer them myself), I’ve noticed that many women solopreneurs tend to rely on them completely.
Each client interaction requires not only the time spent in sessions but also the mental and emotional energy invested in understanding their needs and delivering tailored solutions. As a result, you may find yourself feeling drained and depleted, with little energy left for other essential aspects of managing your business.
In addition to client-facing responsibilities, solopreneurs often become overwhelmed with all the admin tasks involved with client services. From scheduling appointments to managing invoices and emails, the administrative workload can leave little room for creativity and growth.
Beneath the surface, the reliance on one-on-one services may stem from a disconnection from your true passions, values and interests. Your services may no longer align with your vision for your business, or you've outgrown them professionally.
3. Clients have more control of how your business operates.
Interestingly, this is the most common sign that women solopreneurs tend to not notice themselves. When we are so involved in the work, sometimes it is hard to recognize what is happening with client interactions. Over time, if clients have more control, this can act like erosion within business and on a personal level.
One clear sign of clients being more controlling, is when they dictate the terms of payment plans or scheduling arrangements. This doesn’t mean that clients are openly rude or unkind about it. These clients have specific needs and you may feel like you need to bend in their direction. Or, you may be adjusting your own work schedule to better fit theirs for scheduling sessions.
Sometimes this happens because of the combination of services being offered and the particular clients you may be serving. It’s often a challenge within the coaching industry, but I’ve seen this happen with creative entrepreneurs too.
Accommodating individual needs is essential for positive client relationships; giving into every demand can lead to a loss of control over business operations. These client demands can gradually take away your own agency and autonomy. This is a quiet and subtle thing that can happen in business and can feel like resentment when it gets to a certain point.
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As solopreneurs, many of us have been burned out and felt overwhelmed. If you have experienced these challenges in your business, this might be an opportunity to do some meaningful reflection. Attuning to your own dreams and desires.
What might happen if you truly listen to yourself?
~Angela
If you would like more support with all of this, I do offer 1:1 thought partnerships (ironic to say that now? haha). I work with creative women and sensitive solopreneurs, helping them to build self-trust and strong business foundations.
Hello and welcome. I’m Angela.
I support sensitive women solopreneurs as a thought partner, drawing on 10 years of experience as a public educator. I believe a sustainable business thrives when aligned with your natural rhythms and energy, allowing for a fulfilling life and time to create. My writings blend practical strategies with empathetic support. If you seek a business that honors your sensitivity, values, and quality of life, you’re in the right place. I am glad you are here.
