Why award-winning book, magazine, web, and app designer Barbara deWilde left the city behind to forge a new identity as a bookseller in small-town New Jersey.
How (and why) architect and educator Bryan Boyer left Brooklyn and found life (and work) in the Motor City
Upwork’s chief economist Adam Ozimek has studied the numbers and is here to tell you how to think about the changes caused by remote work.
If you’re a musician aspiring to blockbuster success, this conversation is a must-listen. But really anyone seeking to push their creativity to a new level will draw inspiration here — this singer-songwriter’s insights can be applied to almost any solo endeavor.
“I love being my own boss, and the challenges and rewards that come with that. I also enjoy the fact that everything is always changing. But for those exact reasons, it’s not for everyone.”
This upstate New York couple established Stony Creek Farmstead in 2005 with the simple aspiration of raising a family and living a little lighter on the planet. Their small farm has evolved in surprising ways but their mission endures. “The farm has allowed us to stay independent and lead the life we envisioned for ourselves.”
Most people think of Seth Godin as a marketing guru, and for good reason. But he’s much more than that. It’s entirely possible he’s done more to encourage Soloists than anyone we know. Ever.
Why did 33,000 people apply to move to northwest Arkansas in the last year? Spoiler alert: It wasn’t just the free mountain bikes.
A student checks in with her mentor to discuss shooting Kardashians, unexpected Covid pivots, and why working for free isn’t necessarily bad—sometimes.
As cities, regions, and countries around the world vie to attract Soloists, they’re coming up with all sorts of incentives: free burgers, free bikes, and lots and lots of cash.
“Go for it! You truly have nothing to lose. Ask questions. Meet people. Read. Travel. Try new things. Take risks. Don’t worry about other people—focus on yourself. Don’t think long-term—focus on now.”
Like many during the pandemic, Brooklyn gym owner Tommy Ardito discovered baking. Ever the entrepreneur, he was soon selling (via Instagram!) pizza from his apartment kitchen. Now know as the “Underground Pizza Boss,” Ardito is about to open a brick-and-mortar to share his artisanal slices citywide.
Dave Whorton spent decades in the Silicon Valley, the land of dreams of going public. His grand next act: creating a community of companies building for the next 100 years — and remaining private.
Sure Soloists are on the move, but not everyone is moving halfway across the country. Some of them aren’t moving far away at all. But even these small moves will bring big changes to our cities. And our suburbs. (Oh, and the world.)
In an audacious second act, long-time Silicon Valley exec Martin Babinec retuned to his tiny upstate New York hometown, determined to reimagine the region’s future.
“I’ve always needed to work exactly where I am, whether it’s at my full-time job or at my home — or while traveling. Making my work fit into my daily life is the key to sustainability for me. I never want an opportunity for an excuse.”
What happens when a Brit moves to Spain to live and work, gains virtual residency in Eastern Europe, and then tells everyone about it? Perhaps the most Solo business ever.
A native son returned to the city he loved and created an industry. How Tulsa became the birthplace of a global movement.
“I’m willing to scrub toilets, or pet sit…. I’ve often had to augment and I’m not afraid to do crap work. I never want to do crap work again. But if somebody needed an article about how to express their dog’s anal glands, and I needed food, I will do that.”
“I enjoy long form. I don’t know if it’s good or bad for the algorithm or making money. I’m over the threshold for worrying about all those things. I’m just trying to create the best thing — and what I want to create. I really value authenticity.”
“It didn't matter if a paycheck was written to me, I was still a writer. I got zen about it. I thought, ‘well, this is my life, and if i failed to do exactly what I wanted to do, at least I succeeded somewhere and I’m cool about it.’ That’s what happened for me. I just let go and it happened for me.”
“I start with no. It’s usually a no. I’m in a field where there’s a lot of New Agey advice about being a yes. This is the death knell of a solo business, especially for women because we are too often conditioned to people please.”
“I try more and more to go with my gut. If a project seems like it will be a nightmare, it probably will be—so I’ve gotten better at respectfully declining.”
“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is to know my value and what I’m willing to do for it. It takes awhile to figure that out. That being said, one of the best negotiating tools is the ability to say ‘no.’ You’ve got to establish your moral/ethical code.”
“I was determined to find a way to retain my freedom. I did not want an obligation to staff to prevent me from doing what I felt like doing—like going to the beach for a walk, or working in a café all day.”
Introducing our new podcast that explores the importance of place — and how, like never before, you can chose how you want to work, where you want to live.
“Life is brilliant, and messy, and joyous, and sometimes I go for a walk and I feel like my brain is lit up with, just, joy. Not always, but more often than I’d ever have imagined.”
“People don’t believe I’m an introvert. I am. I have to have a ton of time alone. I do think introversion and soloing dovetail nicely.”
“Soloing has given me the joy of self-mastery and self-discovery. I am free to bring meaning and purpose to each day. I am free to forge that path. It’s exhilarating!”
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