The pandemic has encouraged many Americans to seize their dreams and build a solo business from home. For many, the pandemic has been an opportunity to explore new horizons and create new strategies to supply the household income. More often than not, home-based businesses started as a need to replace income loss. 

But, several years after the pandemic, many solo businesses have continued their operations as side hustles or even full-time businesses. And you have now reached the point where you can consider expanding your pandemic businesses. The time has come to scale up your one-person businesses and implement strategies to support its growth. 

So where do you start?

While this may sound like a waste of money. Moving your operations into an office space can provide a professional environment for meeting clients and building a team. Transitioning from home to office space requires planning, both in terms of layouts and tech investment. 

However, a shared workplace can foster creativity, encourage open communication, and facilitate a sense of belonging among your workers. This can be a game-changer when you are new to hiring and running teams. 

As you are ready to expand your business, you will probably need to look for your first workers. The moment your business hires its first workers, it needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN).  Many solo ventures use the entrepreneur’s personal social security number. But the first step of business expansion is to obtain an identification number for the business. Typically, the cost of obtaining an EIN is free, but there are additional costs involved in the process. 

Finding the right talent is essential for scaling up your venture. Yet, as a solo entrepreneur, you want to reach out to professionals who can provide the recruitment services you need. Indeed, it can be tricky not only to source new candidates, but also to screen and shortlist them effectively. The hiring process is central to creating a team that will support growth. 

Besides, while it may seem more cost-effective to work alone, professional recruiting experts can not only save you a lot of time, but also assist in identifying the right compensation packages along the way. They can also increase your chance of finding the best-fit candidates for your business. 

As a rule of thumb, home-based businesses employ a DIY approach to branding. Understandably, why would they spend money building a brand at the time of launch? For many, the pandemic venture was a last resource to make money, which means there weren't sufficient funds available to start with. But as you approach your expansion, you want to invest in professional branding services that can enhance your credibility. 

Expansion is the perfect opportunity for a rebranding, ensuring you can work with a cohesive and memorable brand identity across all your marketing and sales materials. 

Scaling up a one-person business requires careful planning, effective strategies, and, more importantly, sufficient financing. This is an important step in establishing your business anew in the market and positioning yourself for success.