The Entrepreneur Log #48 - Apr 2025 - Back in Control as a Solopreneur
- Joyce Tsang
- May 14
- 3 min read
This month’s update is slightly late, but for good reason—I’ve been navigating big decisions and recovering from my first real burnout last month. It was a completely new experience (one I don’t care to repeat), but like all tough lessons, it taught me something valuable.
First, I’ve decided not to cease the bubble tea shop’s physical storefront. While sales and cash flow were challenges, the real tipping point came from hidden risks and unfortunate scams that piled up over the past 12 months. What started as practical business concerns eventually became unsustainable stress.
That said, just because the shop has been closed since April 8th doesn’t mean the 2324 brand is disappearing. In fact, the delay in this blog comes from how busy I’ve been writing daily. I’ve pivoted the brand into a community experience platform, where we’ll host storytelling events to connect our neighborhood, members, and experts from my JTCM network. I’ve also launched a comprehensive ebook guide on business takeovers (more on that in May’s Entrepreneur Log). Surprisingly, this decision lifted a mental weight off my shoulders—it clarified my focus and renewed my energy.
A lot is happening now: refocusing on JTCM, editing my first book (details next month!), and recalibrating to life as a solopreneur again. Losing my team—my BD lead, marketing executive, accountant, manager, and community coordinator—forced me to reclaim all those roles. Thank goodness for my obsession with SOPs and documented workflows; without them, transitioning back would’ve been chaos. Now, I’m handling tasks seamlessly, almost like muscle memory.
Here’s the unexpected silver lining: My content performance has improved since everything returned to my hands. It’s proof that sweat equity matters—audiences can tell when the real me is behind the work. Slowly but surely, I’m rediscovering the joy of being 100% the content marketer again.
1) From Classroom to Real World: My Solopreneur Journey with Mario Hau at BU
Daniel Wu, Co-founder of Meology, has been an incredible supporter and fellow marketer over the past two years. Once again, he's invited me to share my journey with his class at BU—this time alongside YouTuber Mario Hau.
It was another wonderful experience, and this session gave me fresh perspective into the mindset of a successful content creator. Mario shared valuable insights on platform selection strategies, his approach to community building, and even the honest struggles behind his growth and future plans.
2) Lessons in Resilience: Reconnecting with Prosper at the Online Prosperity Show
This interview with Prosper Taruvinga was a true wake-up call for me. He masterfully guided our conversation, asking deeply personal questions that traced all the way back to my primary school days—the very roots of my journey.
What struck me most was how he reflected my own achievements back to me, achievements I’d somehow overlooked in the daily grind. Hearing someone from Sydney not only recognize my work but also remind me to pause and appreciate how far I’ve come? That was powerful. It’s a lesson so many of us entrepreneurs forget: We’re so consumed by the hustle that we rarely stop to honor our own progress.
3) Empowering Voices: Teaching Content Creation at St. James’ Settlement
Thanks to a referral from Cyron—founder and now board member of MakerBay—I had the incredible opportunity to lead a content creation workshop on sustainability for St. James’ Settlement’s Women Future Makers Employment Programme.
For two wonderful hours, I shared practical storytelling frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable marketing tactics tailored to their sustainable products. But the highlight? Hearing their thoughtful questions and seeing them rethink the "why" behind their designs. There’s nothing more rewarding than sparking that kind of reflection!
Looking back, I realize the struggles and challenges I faced last year—especially around hiring—were necessary. It was easy to get swept up in the excitement of scaling, but now I understand hiring isn’t just difficult; it might not even be the right model for me. I’ve seen what it entails, and right now, it’s simply not where I find comfort.
While having a team to delegate to is great, the gap between their expectations and my vision for what’s best remains a persistent challenge. Instead of forcing growth through hiring, I’m returning to my roots: using content marketing to attract the right people—those who genuinely resonate with my mission and values.
This doesn’t mean scaling is off the table. It just means a physical shopfront isn’t my path. I’ve got a new plan brewing, and if all goes well, I’ll share more next month!
-Joyce
Comments