In the interest of transparency, more solopreneurs are disclosing their incomes
In the interest of transparency, more solopreneurs are disclosing their incomes
By Eve Upton-Clark | Published: 2025-10-27 14:30:00 | Source: Fast Company – leadership
“Okay, friends. i did it. I have now had the highest paying month of my life again
So begins a TikTok video from creator Chelsea Langenstam detailing her “monthly income of $56,244,” plus deductions, as a solopreneur.
Next, Langenstam outlines her various sources of income: budget models, brand deals, and referral fees. “I don’t engage in bragging,” she says videocurrently has more than 100,000 views. “I’m sharing because I want to show you what’s possible in real time.”
Her videos are among Hundreds on TikTok and Instagramwhich lifts the curtain on how much solopreneurs of all types earn monthly — and exactly where every dollar comes from.
These “income distributions” fall within a broader trend toward financial transparency online. From the “budget rage” to the “no-spend challenges,” talking about money is no longer taboo for the internet generation. They’re bucking a decades-long trend of silence: 53% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials say they would post how They make a lot of money online.Â
Show me the money
Solo entrepreneurs — or businesses without paid employees — contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for 6.8% of total economic activity, according to Recently published US Census Bureau data.Â
But when one is self-reliant, the honest truth is that few people have any idea what they are doing to begin with, let alone where their next paycheck will come from. Now social media is democratizing this process, With a number of content creators Analyze the finances of running a business on your own.
Not every month is a five-figure month for Langenstam. I also revealed what a Low income month Apparently, for the sake of transparency. Others bare their financial details to advocate for the life of solopreneurs, breaking free from corporate pressure and embracing the gig economy.
Freelance social media manager Mila Holmes has been sharing her project rates since 2020, but only recently started opening up about the income details. “The main reason I create content on TikTok is to advocate for freelancing,” she says. to explain Which has made her income streams $14,616.99 over the past three weeks. This includes consulting calls, independent influencer marketing, and hosting classes on brand partnerships
“I want people to know that financial security and prosperity are possible through unconventional means,” Holmes says. Fast company. “I think a lot of people view freelancing and/or content creation as a stopgap between real jobs. I think it can be more than that. Telling them it’s possible is one thing, but actually showing them the profits is another thing.”
A new model for transparency
Income breakdown moves the needle forward through modeling how Money is made, and so is how much. But, as with anything you see online, influencers who advertise regular five-figure months should be treated with caution. In particular, you need to be wary of any collapse in income from those who try to sell you “quick fixes” with the promise of similar results. However, this does not mean that individual entrepreneurship cannot be profitable
according to MBO PartnersIn the 2025 State of Independence report, 5.6 million freelancers reported earning more than $100,000 annually. This represents a 19% increase from 2024, and nearly double the number of six-figure earners in 2020. Average salary of an American workerBy comparison it is $66,000
“When I started freelancing, the idea of $10,000 a month seemed so far away, and the idea of $20,000 a month felt even further away,” solopreneur Grace Lemire said in a TikTok video. videoreporting income of $10,700 for the month. “But when I started seeing other entrepreneurs segmenting their revenue streams, it started to feel within reach.”
Lemire doesn’t disclose its main revenue, but it started sharing what it charges clients, as well as some monthly profits, a few years ago. “I participate because I want people to see what is possible,” Lemire says. Fast company. “I want to show people that there is more to them than they might be able to imagine with the information they have.”
For a younger generation already seeking a fast track to success, the appeal of individual entrepreneurship is clear. A 2023 study found Generation Z places more importance on wealth than any other age group. With the traditional career ladder more shaky than ever, young and ambitious workers are forging their own paths and not risking their futures in anyone else’s hands.
Thanks to social media, going it alone has never been easier. Instagram, YouTube, Patreon, and TikTok give solopreneurs a number of platforms to create their brands and showcase their products or services to millions of people around the world. This is something young female solopreneurs understand better than most
“Finance is a big player, and content revenue is high,” Holmes explains. “Being creative with financial transparency, income, money and budget opens up a whole new world of opportunities for me. Not just on the brand partnership side, but also on the digital product side.”
For young online solopreneurs, sharing income details not only promotes financial transparency, but it’s also a smart business strategy.
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