Making Money with Meaning
for Solo Service Business Owners
By Maggie Patterson
All opinions in this post are my opinions and mine alone.
Table of Contents
Chasing Revenue Goals and Feeling Like Shit?
Let’s Talk About Making Money with Meaning.
What Does It Mean to Make Money with Meaning?
Why So Many of Us End Up in This Cycle
Recognizing When You’re Chasing the Wrong Goals
3 Specific Steps to Making Money With Meaning
In the world of solo business ownership, it’s easy to get swept up in the obsession with revenue milestones. Everyone is shouting about hitting six or seven figures everywhere you look as if those numbers alone are the ultimate marker of success.
But here’s the hard truth: chasing revenue for the sake of it can leave you overworked, overwhelmed, and wondering if you’ve built a business or a burden.
The goal isn’t just to “make all the money.” It’s to make money with meaning—money that supports your life and helps you reach your personal goals.
That means setting personal, intentional goals aligned with what success looks like for you. (And when I say success, I don’t mean a bullshit capitalist version of it, okay?)
How do you shift from chasing arbitrary revenue milestones to building a business with a purpose? When I say purpose, I mean purpose from the point of view that the money serves a purpose for you—not just piling up more revenue for the sake of it, but using it to support the life and goals you genuinely care about.
And how do you approach business in a way that gets you out of the trap of having to do more and make more constantly?
Listen Now To This Essay On Staying Solo
What Does It Mean to Make Money with Meaning?
Making money with meaning means creating a business that isn’t just profitable but also aligned with your personal values, goals, and lifestyle. It starts by defining your enough—the number that allows you to live the life you want without endless hustle or sacrifice.
This isn’t about arbitrary six- or seven-figure goals that someone else decided should be your measure of success. It’s about clarity on what you need to thrive, which is much more than JUST the money.
Yes, you need money to pay the bills, but the endless pursuit of making more comes at everything else's expense. I’ve seen countless online business owners quickly hit a significant revenue milestone and then ultimately crash and burn. Many aren’t even in business at this point as they realized that sacrificing everything to reach seven figures wasn’t worth it.
At the heart of making money with meaning is about establishing the income you need and balancing it with everything else. You figure out how much money you need to make each month to cover your expenses, pay yourself a solid salary, and even have extra for fun or long-term goals, so you stop chasing revenue for the sake of it.
This approach helps you ensure your business is a tool to support your life and the things that matter to you. You can say no to clients, projects, or opportunities that don’t fit. You can streamline your offers, create more space in your schedule, and focus on what brings you joy and meaning.
Everything changes when you see money as a tool, not the measure of your success. Plus, it helps you create a boring business instead of one you want to burn down constantly, or that’s burning you out.
Listen, I know this might sound super aspirational to some of you—and to others, maybe even counterintuitive—but it is possible.
Why So Many of Us End Up in This Cycle
If you’ve ever felt caught in the constant hustle and endless goal-chasing, please know it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.
We live in a world that glorifies overwork and equates financial success with personal worth. After all, that’s how capitalism is meant to work!
From the moment we start our businesses (or arrive on this planet), we’re inundated with messages that tell us we should always want more.
The online business world has made this worse, thanks to the rise of celebrity entrepreneurs and their curated images of effortless success. Scroll through social media, and you’ll see posts about scaling to six figures in six months, stories of overnight success, and the relentless push to build a seven-figure empire.
If you’re not chasing those goals, it’s easy to feel like you’re not trying hard enough or you’re “playing small.” And if your business isn’t constantly chaotic or exciting, you might start questioning whether you’re doing it wrong—because isn’t a successful business supposed to be full of drama and hustle?
These messages can easily mess with your head, making you feel like you’re falling behind, even if it’s not what you want. Before you know it, you’re chasing revenue goals that don’t matter simply because it’s what you’re “supposed” to do as a business owner.
So you work harder, take on more clients, and say yes to things that drain you because you’re trying to hit some external measure of success that has nothing to do with your values or what makes you happy.
You don’t have to play that game.
You don’t have to keep chasing revenue for the sake of it, sacrificing your well-being and happiness in the process.
There’s another way. You can focus on making meaningful money and building a predictable, profitable and peaceful business.
And when you do, you’ll find that success feels different—and much better.
Recognizing When You’re Chasing the Wrong Goals
Here’s what it looks like when you’re stuck in a revenue-driven mindset that doesn’t serve you:
Scenario #1. Burnout Despite Revenue Success
Maybe you’ve hit those revenue milestones you once dreamed about. Maybe it’s a $10k month or surpassing six figures in annual income.
You’ve got the clients, the work is flowing, and by all outward appearances, you’re doing great. But beneath the surface, you’re exhausted. Long hours have become the norm, weekends are just extra workdays, and you’re tired….so, so tired.
Internally, you’re running on fumes. There’s this constant pressure to keep up, to maintain that revenue level or grow it even more, and the idea of slowing down feels almost impossible.
After all, what would happen if you took a step back? Would the whole thing fall apart?
The hidden cost here is your time. Time to rest, recharge, and enjoy your life outside of work. The more you chase revenue, the less space you have for the things that truly matter—your well-being, relationships, and personal interests.
Scenario # 2. Grinding But Not Meeting Your Goals
You’re working harder than ever, grinding away, yet somehow, the finish line keeps moving. Either you’re not hitting your goals, or worse—you reach them only to feel like it’s not good enough.
Sound familiar? The pressure to constantly push for more means the goalposts are always shifting. You tell yourself, “Just a little more, then I’ll feel successful.”
But that moment never comes because the goal is always out of reach when you’re stuck in the grind. This cycle can feel endless—working more hours, offering more services, and chasing after goals that keep expanding the closer you get. It’s exhausting, and it’s unsustainable.
If the grind isn’t getting you closer to what matters, it’s time to stop and ask: Am I even chasing the right goals?
Instead of grinding toward endless growth, what if you defined your version of success—one that doesn’t require constant hustle but supports the life you want? That’s where things start to change.
The hidden cost isn’t just exhaustion—time lost, strained relationships, and other sacrifices. It’s working late, missing moments that matter, and waking up burned out, wondering if it’s even worth it.
Scenario #3. Minimal Take-Home Pay
You’re making more money than ever before—or so it seems. Revenue looks good on paper, but when you check your personal bank account, your income doesn’t reflect the hard work you’ve been putting in.
Why? Because you’re constantly reinvesting in your business—new tools, online courses, and hiring help to keep up with the demand. Each expense feels justified, but over time, they chip away at your profits until there’s little left for you.
This leaves you feeling frustrated, as you’re working hard but not seeing the financial rewards. You may wonder why it’s so hard to enjoy your money and whether all this effort is worth it.
The hidden cost is your financial security. You’re not building a cushion for yourself when reinvesting everything into your business. That means less savings, less personal flexibility, and more stress about what happens if you have a slow month or an unexpected expense pops up.
Scenario #4. Feeling Trapped in Your Business
Your business is thriving on the outside—you’ve got clients, a steady revenue stream, and a growing reputation.
But behind the scenes, you feel trapped. You’re constantly working, constantly on, and thinking about what needs to be done next. The freedom you originally wanted feels like it’s been replaced by a never-ending to-do list.
You’ve built something demanding so much of you that you can’t imagine making it work without sacrificing even more time and energy.
The hidden cost is your flexibility and freedom. You may have the revenue, but without the ability to step away, set boundaries, and reclaim your time, the whole point of running your own business starts to feel lost.
You didn’t sign up for this to create another high-pressure job for yourself, yet here you are.
These scenarios illustrate how it’s one thing to chase a goal but that it’s entirely another to make it meaningful. If all you’re left with is exhaustion, frustration, and a business that owns you, it’s time to rethink what success means.
Let’s talk about how to make money matter—on your terms.
3 Specific Steps to Making Money With Meaning
The goal is to be super strategic versus just following someone else’s version of success and making it all about the money.
Nechelle Bartley encourages her clients to consider their wealth through seven lenses: time/energy, wisdom, physical, spiritual, natural and social.
Notice how only ONE of those lenses is about the money?
A 2017 study from University of Buffalo researcher Lora Park looked at what happens when we tie our self-worth to financial success. They found that the higher participants scored on the “Financial Contingency of Self-Worth” scale, the more likely they were to experience stress and anxiety and engage in more social comparisons.
That’s exactly my point—measuring success by money alone doesn’t work. If the pursuit of making money lacks meaning, it’ll never feel satisfying, no matter how much you earn.
Here are specific steps I’ve used with clients to help them shift from chasing endless revenue (and burning themselves out in the process) to building a business centered around earning a meaningful, sustainable income.
Step #1: Define Your Version of Enough
If you don’t define enough, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short, no matter how much money you make.
Enough isn’t some random revenue milestone plucked out of thin air. It’s the money, time, and energy you need to create a business and life that works for you.
To define enough, ask yourself:
How much money do you need to take home monthly to cover your personal expenses comfortably? This number is critical as it helps you determine how much money you need to make in your business. This number isn’t just about surviving—it’s about living the life you want, whether that means funding hobbies, saving for the future, or taking time off without guilt.
How many hours a week do you want to work? Remember, more hours don’t always mean more money. You need to set boundaries so your business doesn’t eat up every moment of your life. (The capacity calculator here can help you figure this out.)
What personal priorities—family, health, travel, creative pursuits—do you want to protect? These things matter most to you; your business should support them, not compete.
You get clarity on what you’re working toward when you define enough. Instead of endlessly hustling for arbitrary goals that don’t serve you, you’re building a business aligned with your life.
Without defining enough, you’ll always feel like you need to do more, earn more, and be more. With a precise definition, you can finally feel like you’re winning—on your terms.
Step #2: Set Your Personal Salary Goal and Prioritize Profitability
Here’s where things get practical. Once you’ve defined enough, it’s time to translate that into a clear personal salary goal and ensure your business is profitable enough to hit it consistently.
Here’s how to make it happen:
Set a monthly salary goal based on your version of enough. This number allows you to live comfortably and work toward your personal goals. Make it non-negotiable. I’ve created a calculator to help you nail down your personal salary goal.
Audit your expenses. Are you reinvesting in tools, courses, or help without a clear return? Cut anything that doesn’t directly support your personal salary goal or make your business more profitable.
By prioritizing profitability over endless growth, you ensure your business serves you. Instead of feeling trapped in a cycle of reinvestment and thin margins, you’ll have a clear path to consistent, meaningful income.
For example, if you’re making $10,000 a month in revenue but can only pay yourself $3,500 after expenses as a solo service business owner, your costs are simply too high. (As a solo service business owner, your expenses should be 30 to 50%.)
Your salary goal needs to be non-negotiable in your budget. You need to get paid first, then figure out your expenses. Trust me, this will save you from buying many things you don’t need, many of which are wasting your time, energy and money.
Step #3: Align Your Offers with Your Lifestyle and Enough
If your current services don’t support your version of enough it’s time to rethink your offers and pricing.
Your services should help you hit your salary goal, maintain your desired schedule, and protect what matters most to you. You don’t have to have seven different packages to make a great living as a solo service provider.
Ask yourself:
- Which offers are profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable? These are the ones to keep and prioritize moving forward.
- Where do my prices need to increase? Where are you losing money by undercharging or overservicing clients?
- Which services feel like a grind or take too much time for too little return? These are the ones to eliminate or rework. Remember, you don’t have to offer services that don’t serve you.
When your offers are aligned with your version of enough, you avoid the endless cycle of doing more and more without ever feeling like you’re getting anywhere.
You create a business that supports the life you want, not one that demands all of your time and energy.
What Happens When You Make Money With Meaning
This isn’t about promising overnight transformation or hyping six-figure success. (You already know I’m not about that scammy BS.)
It’s about the small, powerful shifts you can make when it’s not only about about chasing revenue. When money becomes a tool, not the goal, you can make smarter decisions that serve you as a human, not just a business owner.
Here are a few examples of what happens when you untether from chasing more and more. (Not all of these will happen, but I’m confident some will.)
You Focus on What Matters
By defining enough, you understand what’s essential in your business. Rather than jumping at every opportunity, you prioritize what aligns with your goals. This means smarter choices and less time wasted on distractions.
You Regain Control Over Your Business
With clear boundaries and a solid understanding of your limits, you shift from constantly reacting to intentionally managing. This approach creates stability and reduces the overwhelming feeling of trying to do it all.
You Ditch the Drama
Making money with meaning is at the heart of a boring business. And to be clear, a boring business isn’t what it sounds like—it’s a bold choice. It’s a business model built for sustainability and free from unnecessary drama.
A boring business allows you to grow your solo service business with less stress and more long-term stability.
You Create a More Profitable Business
When you streamline your offers and cut unnecessary expenses, you naturally increase profitability. You eliminate low-value work, focus on services that generate the highest returns, and ensure you’re getting paid what you need to sustain your life and business.
You Have Space for Life
When you’re not constantly chasing bigger and bigger goals, you’re less likely to overcommit. You allow yourself to take breaks, set boundaries, and enjoy the life you’ve built outside your business.
You Stop the Endless Reinvestment Cycle
Too many business owners fall into the trap of endlessly reinvesting in new tools, courses, or contractors as they think it will help them grow. Defining your money goals and ensuring they’re meaningful helps you cut unnecessary spending and keep more of what you’re making.
You Stay Focused on Long-Term Goals
If you’re not always trying to do more and make more, avoiding shiny object syndrome is much easier. You stay focused on your long-term goals instead of getting distracted by short-term trends or opportunities that don’t serve your bigger vision.
Enough is Enough: Stop Playing By Someone Else’s Rules
Without clarity on what success means for you, it’s easy to fall into the trap of endless hustle. You’ll keep raising the bar, working harder, and wondering why it still doesn’t feel like enough.
That’s why now is the time to rethink what you’re aiming for.
Otherwise, enough will never be enough.
The urgency here is real. Someone else's definition will always control you if you don’t define your version of success.
The good news is that you don’t have to keep chasing goals that don’t serve you. You can build a business that’s profitable, predictable, and peaceful. One where you make money has meaning, doing work you enjoy with people whose values align with yours.
The choice is yours: keep playing by someone else’s rules, or take control, define your enough, and build a business where the money you make has purpose.
