Book excerpt: Build Your Business and Your Financial Future As a solopreneur, you can reinvent the way you work with much more freedom, fun, and financial security. There’s never been a better time to earn more money by starting a full- or part-time solo venture. But being your own boss can be a challenge or feel scary when you don’t have a roadmap. In Money-Smart Solopreneur, Laura D. Adams answers questions every aspiring and new entrepreneur has about creating a business and building a secure financial future. It's a complete guide for what to do, critical mistakes to avoid, and how to start a solo business without taking too much risk. You'll get answers to these common questions: Can I get started without any filings or paperwork? Do I need a business bank account? How can I budget and reach goals with an irregular income? What business entity is best? When should I incorporate? How do I protect my intellectual property? When do I need an accountant? How can I figure out how much to charge clients? What tax deadlines am I required to meet? Do I need a business license? When should I leave my day job? Which tools are worth paying for? No matter if you're a freelancer, independent contractor, or side-hustler in the on-demand economy, you'll get essential knowledge, tools, and inspiration to live a successful solopreneur life. Laura D. Adams demystifies how to start and build any solo or small business. She covers legal, financial, and tax issues you must know to stay out of trouble. Her upbeat tone and approach for managing variable income, using an automatic money system, and creating a self-employed benefits package are just a few gems you'll discover. Laura's smart tips and chapter exercises include refreshing strategies for earning more, managing the unexpected, and reaching financial goals. You'll come away empowered to build your full- or part-time solo business and create long-lasting financial security. After reading Money-Smart Solopreneur, you'll be able to: Earn full- or part-time self-employed income with confidence. Refine your business and brand vision. Evaluate the pros and cons of working as a solopreneur. Create a strategy to exit a day job by building a business on the side. Turbocharge your productivity using pro tips. Create a financial safety net and leapfrog to the life you want. Organize and legally protect your business using simple techniques. Set higher rates, create better proposals, and negotiate wisely. Save money by operating a home-based business. Set up an automatic money system to achieve goals and build wealth.