PPAI • MAY 2026 • 23 | Must Read alongside the lives they want to live. But, to keep working on their own terms, solopreneurs need steady client relationships and a pipeline of new opportunities. That’s why 65% say gaining new clients is a top priority over the next five years, according to the Branch x Mastercard Solopreneur Report. Branded merchandise, from luxe notebooks sent after discovery calls to sleek water bottles mailed as welcome gifts, help solopreneurs stay top-of-mind when the next opportunity arises. As the independent business market grows more crowded, the need to differentiate becomes even more important. By 2028, the number of solopreneurs could rise to 90 million. With so many consultants, creators and coaches competing for clients, branded merch is just the way to cut through the noise and be remembered. Merch That Works As Hard As Solopreneurs Solopreneurs handle everything themselves, and that can put a real strain on their time and budget. In one survey, 41% of solopreneurs said time management is their biggest challenge, followed by marketing and customer acquisition (34%) and cash flow (29%). More than 60% say they underestimated how hard it would be to run every part of the business alone. That’s why smart, efficient marketing matters. Branded merchandise can help one-person businesses stay visible without adding more to their workload. A branded webcam, for example, keeps their name visible on calls, while merch like hats or water bottles double as gifts that keep their name top of mind. Stand Out When CEOs Are Hiring More companies are turning to freelancers and independent specialists to get work done. Nearly half of CEOs say they plan to hire more freelance talent, and many say these professionals are essential to their organization’s success. For solopreneurs, that means more opportunity, but also more competition. Branded merch can be a simple way to stay memorable without spending a lot of time or money. Sending a branded notebook after a meeting or showing up on calls with custom gear can help solo workers look polished and stay memorable with the executives who hire. The Optimistic Business Of One Most solopreneurs are full-time and all-in. About 41% rely on their business as their main source of income, according to the most recent Solopreneur Report from Simply Business. Another 13% work full time while keeping other income streams on the side. Even part-timers aren’t just dabbling, with about 70% saying they plan to grow their revenue this year. This shows that solopreneurs are ambitious and serious about standing out. Branded merch gives them a simple, high-impact way to get noticed. Merch like sleek bags or desk accessories help people remember their brand long after a meeting. A Ritual That Drives Results Some of the most productive solopreneurs don’t start with an app but with pen and paper. About 25% follow a daily goal-setting ritual, which can boost their output by as much as 20%. A luxurious pen and a great notebook make it easy to keep priorities straight and jot down new ideas. More than 60% say they underestimated how hard it would be to run every part of the business alone. About 70% of part-timers say they plan to grow their revenue this year. Nearly half of CEOs say they plan to hire more freelance talent A Snapshot Of Today’s Owner-Only Businesses Working for yourself isn’t a niche path anymore, but one that’s becoming increasingly accessible to all kinds of people at various stages in their careers. Immigrants made up about 14% of solopreneurs last year, and more than half of solopreneurs are women. So, what drives these one-person powerhouses? According to Gusto’s New Business Formation survey, they ventured out on their own to: 54% Be their own boss 53% Work according to their own schedule: 34% Build an asset for the future: 24% L eave an unfulfilling job and pursue a passion: 22% Make a positive impact 21% Boost their income: 16% Seize a business opportunity 11% Supplement income for an immediate expense 10% Replace a lost job 2% Take advantage what technology made possible
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