The Solopreneur Sandbox

Afraid of what people might think if you start promoting your business? Here’s how to push past the fear (and make your voice heard!) Putting yourself out there can be intimidating, especially when you’re new to business. But if you want to grow, you need to push past the fear of being judged. Here’s how to shift your mindset and get comfortable promoting yourself: 1. Focus on Helping, Not Selling - Think of your posts as a way to help others, not sell to them. You’re sharing your expertise to solve a problem or inspire someone, not just “self-promoting.” - When your focus is on serving, it feels much easier to show up. 2. Remember: Not Everyone Will Get It - Some people won’t understand your journey, and that’s okay. You’re not here to impress everyone; you’re here to reach the people who need what you offer. - Accept that judgment is normal but that it doesn’t define your worth or your success. 3. Embrace Small Wins as Confidence Builders - Start small—post a helpful tip or answer a question in a community. - Each little action builds your confidence and proves that you have something valuable to share. 4. Be Proud of Your Story - Remember, what you’re doing takes courage! - Share why you started, the challenges you’re overcoming, and the passion behind your work. - People connect with authenticity, so let them see the real you. 5. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection - You don’t need to be polished or perfect. - Your audience appreciates the real and relatable you. - Show up as you are, focus on growth, and the confidence will follow. ?? Building your business is too important to let fear hold you back. Take that first step, and remember: every post is a chance to reach someone who needs what you have to offer! == What other tips would you add here?

6 years ago I was laid off from my corporate job. My personal motto for myself became this... → "Make your future self proud. Solve for regret." I could've jumped right back into the corporate world and continued the journey I was on. But something told me this was an incredible opportunity. One where I could bet on myself. Discover new passions. Try new things. I did NOT want to reach the age of 70 and have a bunch of regrets. So over the past 6 years I have: - started my own management consulting company (Zero In) - published 4 books (5 if you count my new Luck Surface Area Journal) - launched and grew the Happy Accidents newsletter and podcast - coached dozens of other solopreneurs (both 1:1 and through my community) - been a guest on over 80 podcasts and spoken at numerous events I don't have a specific end goal in mind. Other than to fully live and experience life. The best part of my journey has been all the learning, personal growth, and the amazing friends I've made along the way. I can now honestly say I am a completely different person than I was 6 years ago (that's a good thing). Where will my journey take me next? I have no idea. But if I keep growing, learning, and making new amazing friends, I know future Dennis will be proud. -------- If you've been a similar journey, I'd love to hear from you. Share with me in the comments.

In the early days of his career, Steven Spielberg was just another film enthusiast trying to break into Hollywood. He didn’t have any powerful connections, and getting a job at a major studio seemed nearly impossible. But Spielberg was curious and bold – and he took matters into his own hands. One day, he put on his best suit, walked confidently onto the Universal Studios lot, and slipped into an empty office, pretending he belonged. Day after day, he showed up, meeting people, learning everything he could, and making connections that would eventually lead to his first professional directing gig. Spielberg’s curiosity and courage turned a risky, unconventional move into his big break. That single moment of boldness didn’t just land him a job; it launched his legendary career. Today, we know him as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time – but it all started with that single, bold act. == Want to create more opportunities for yourself? 60 Days. 60 Challenges. A Lifetime of New Opportunities Awaits. Imagine a life where you attract opportunity, not by chance but by choice. The '60-Day Luck Surface Area Journal' empowers you to do just that. Each challenge builds momentum, confidence, and a little excitement as you uncover hidden potential. Dive in and start creating new opportunities (link in my Featured Section).

Want to succeed on LinkedIn? Here’s the hard truth no one wants to hear… I recently had Holly Crawshaw come and deliver a session inside The Solopreneur Sandbox about the anatomy of a great LinkedIn post. She shared a ton of value around 6 critical pieces of every post, along with examples and a template. But want to know how she started off the session? With a warning...."This is Hard" And really, this should be a disclaimer for any new challenge we take on in life, am I right? Nothing good comes easy. ?? Want a fit and toned body? - You have to hit the gym ?? Want that nice house or car? - You better be ready to work for it ?? Want a successful business? - You have to put in the time and effort Same goes for LinkedIn. If you want to get better at creating great content, expect it to be hard. Do you agree?

How to validate a new business idea (without breaking the bank!) You don’t need to go all-in financially to find out if your business idea is viable. Here’s a quick, low-cost guide to test it out first: 1. Run a Simple Survey - Use a free tool like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to create a survey for your target audience. - Ask about their biggest pain points, what solutions they’ve tried, and if they’d be interested in your concept. - This feedback is pure gold. 2. Create a Minimal Landing Page - With a tool like Carrd or Leadpages, create a basic landing page explaining your idea and include a call-to-action (like signing up for updates). - Track how many people are interested—if they’re clicking, they’re curious! 3. Offer a Beta Test - Invite a small group to try an early version of your product or service for free or at a discount. - Not only will you get feedback, but you’ll also build an initial fanbase and gain testimonials. 4. Post in Online Communities - Join relevant Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or LinkedIn groups. - Share your idea and ask for honest opinions (without overselling). - The feedback can be invaluable. 5. Start a Waitlist - If people are willing to join a waitlist, that’s a strong indicator of interest! - Plus, it gives you a list of potential customers to reach out to when you launch. ?? Testing first can save you time, money, and effort down the road. Let the data do the talking before you fully commit. Good luck, and remember: every idea needs a little pressure-testing! === What other tips would you add here?

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT I'll be taking a step back over the next few months to travel, serve, and recharge. ? Dec 5-12 - I will be at an orphanage in Honduras on a missions trip ? Then it's Christmas & New Years - time with family celebrating the holidays ? Jan 12-Feb 11 - I am away in Chile serving at an English speaking church With that being the case, I will not be able to continue to hold the weekly group calls and the 1:1 coaching sessions within The Solopreneur Sandbox over the next 3 months (Dec, Jan, Feb) However, if enough people are interested, I will keep the Sandbox open for those who would like: ? Continued access to all courses, resources, and recordings of all historical calls ? Continued access to the member chat area to share ideas, wins, ask questions, get feedback, brainstorm ideas, etc ? Continued access to DM’s (myself and each other) The cost would be only $27 per month for those 3 months. If you are interested, you must let me know by Nov 25 (either in the comments here or send me a DM) If there is not enough interest, I will shut down the Sandbox for those 3 months. __________ In the meantime, I will also not be very active on LinkedIn during that time. Reminder: It's okay to take time to disconnect, to serve, and focus on family and friends.

Imagine Oprah Winfrey in her early 20s, working as a news anchor in Baltimore. It wasn’t her dream job – in fact, she was struggling, and many people around her doubted she’d make it in TV. Then, one day, an opportunity came up to host a local morning talk show. It was a step down in the eyes of some, but Oprah was curious. What if this could be her chance to connect more deeply with people, to break away from the traditional news desk? She took it. Hosting that talk show became the spark she needed. She brought in her authentic self, connected emotionally with her audience, and ultimately redefined the way people thought about talk shows. Oprah had stepped out of her comfort zone, taken a chance, and created an opportunity that others might have missed. What followed was an unparalleled career of successes, challenges, and moments of serendipity, all because she opened herself up to one “small” new opportunity. Sometimes opportunities come in disguise. It pays to be curious. == Want to create more opportunities for yourself? 60 Days. 60 Challenges. A Lifetime of New Opportunities Awaits. Imagine a life where you attract opportunity, not by chance but by choice. The 60-Day Luck Surface Area Journal empowers you to do just that. Each challenge builds momentum, confidence, and a little excitement as you uncover hidden potential. Dive in and start making luck happen (link in my Featured Section).

I lost my job and my identity in the same day. (What I gained after that changed my life forever) In 2018, for the first time ever in my life, I was laid off from a job. If you've ever been laid off from a job, you know the spectrum of feelings that come with it: - Fear - Shock - Sadness - Confusion - Frustration - Embarrassment You may even feel like you've completely lost your identity, or at least question it (I sure did) It was one of the toughest things I've gone through in my life. And then 5 years later, I met someone here on LinkedIn. She had just been laid off and was going through all these emotions herself. But what she did next, inspired me to no end ? She decided to use it as a platform to help others going through it as well She began posting about her experience and connecting with others who had been laid off. She created a network of people who could resonate, relate, and rely on each other for comfort and support. And she wrote a book about her experience and how she got through it. That incredible person is Laura Krauss Her book is called 'The Layoff Cooties—It's Them, Not You'. Not only was I thrilled to see that Laura decided to write a book about her experience, but I was blessed and honored when she came to me for advice about writing and publishing a book and THEN chose me a a BETA reader. Let me tell you, the book blew me away. I loved the book so much that I provided a testimonial, here's what it says: "Through her candid storytelling, Laura captures the heartache and the profound loss that comes with being let go from a job.?Her honest reflections and practical advice for navigating this challenging experience make this book a must-read for anyone facing similar circumstances. I know, I went through it myself as well. The book brought it all back to the forefront for me. It's a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is a path forward. A beautifully written journey of resilience and hope." To my surprise and delight, she featured it on the back cover of the book! Wow If you have been laid off from a job and have struggled with the aftermath of everything that comes with the experience, I highly recommend this book. If you know someone right now who could benefit from reading it, I highly recommend giving it to them as a gift. (find the link to the book in the comments) ___________ So what did I gain after my layoff? - A brand new identity - The courage to bet on myself - The experience of trying multiple new things (consulting, coaching, writing, speaking, etc) - And an incredible network of supportive people (like Laura) Nobody should have to go through something like that alone. ____________ Have you been through a layoff? What was your experience like?

3 Simple Steps to Start Moving on Your Idea This Week (and skip the fear of feeling watched) The Spotlight Effect is a real thing. Most people don't put their ideas out there or take any action on executing for fear of what others my think or say. Now, most gurus will tell you to forget what other people think and just do it anyway (like the message in my attached photo). Maybe that works for you. But maybe not. Maybe you still need to do it in a way that minimizes those fears. So, here's 3 ways you can accomplish that. 1) Start with Low-Stakes Conversations - Test your idea with a few trusted friends, mentors, or even family members. - Low-stakes conversations can help validate your idea, gather input, and provide confidence—all without a huge, public announcement. 2) Create a Private Proof of Concept - Create a small-scale version of your idea. - This could be a mock-up, an outline, or a draft that no one else sees (yet). - Having something tangible helps build momentum, and keeping it private initially can lessen any performance anxiety you're feeling. 3) Share Selectively for Early Feedback - Reach out to a small group for feedback or post in a niche, supportive community. - Getting feedback in a safe, encouraging environment will give you initial traction without the pressure of going fully public. What other ways can people get started and take some action on their business idea without feeling like they are in the spotlight? Share with us in the comments ?? ________ Want a guided playbook for executing on 50+ ways of taking action over the next 2 months? Grab a copy of my new '60-Day Luck Surface Area Journal' Find it on Amazon, or use the link in the comments

A man takes his new dog for a walk by the lake when something amazing happens. While walking he finds a stick and decides he'll get his dog to play a game of fetch. He throws a stick out onto the water, and to his amazement, the dog doesn’t swim to get the stick – it actually walks across the water to fetch it! The man is thrilled and thinks, "I’ve got to show this to someone!" So, he goes home and decides he'll bring his neighbor along with him for the walk the next day. He throws the stick again, and once more, the dog trots across the water like it’s no big deal. The neighbor watches, but says nothing. After a while, the man can’t take it anymore and asks, “Well? Did you notice anything unusual about my dog?” The neighbor pauses, thinks for a second, and finally says, “Yeah, your dog can’t swim.” This is a story about perspective and understanding... Sometimes, even miraculous things go unappreciated or misunderstood – if we’re not paying attention! The lesson? - Maybe it's not that other people are "luckier" than you. - Maybe they're just better at recognizing and capitalizing on unexpected opportunities that come their way.