First, the not-so-great news …
Fastest growing & declining jobs by 2030
Source: World Economic Forum
Now, the good news …
American solopreneurship is on 🔥
We learned a lot from this U.S. 2025 Census report and this CNBC story.
Get this:
👉🏽 There are 29.8 million solo entrepreneurs in the U.S., and new business applications are growing.
👉🏽 Solopreneurs contribute more than $1.7 trillion to the economy, with California ranking highest in number of solo entrepreneurs, while Florida is highest per capita.
👉🏽 The AI boom is providing a boost, building business plans that are solid enough to lead bank loan approval in minutes.
And this is cool
Nearly a quarter of new American entrepreneurs are over 55. So, nope, the fastest-growing segment of new business owners isn’t Gen Z.
“This isn’t just a demographic shift, it’s a massive economic one,” writes Shopify President Harley Finkelstein here on Linkedin. “Adults 50+ already control more than 70% of U.S. disposable income. By 2030, the longevity economy is projected to account for $30 trillion in global spending.”
MIT says this is the best age to start a business
The media does a good job portraying young pups as the most likely to be entrepreneurial rockstars.
Steve Jobs was 21 when he co-founded Apple. Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook at 19, and Melanie Perkins was the same age when she started Fusion Books, the precursor to Canva.
I’m Amy Cuevas Schroeder, founder of The Midst
Instagram @themidstlady • Linkedin
Best part about my job: Brainstorming with entrepreneurial women, including Founding MidstHers
What I need help with: Spreading the word that The Midst is growing. We’ve spent the last few years primarily as a media company, and we’re expanding to nurture our community of founders, solopreneurs, consultants, double-dayers, and the entre-precurious.
Excellent! When it came time to close businesses because my partner and chairman of the board died in 2023, I asked and answered the big question: Who are the people I love to serve and have always been fun and profitable? They were all past 45, and most are hovering in the 55-65 space. Every story you post supports and draws a bright yellow highlighter through my decision to create a community for Gifted Professionals and Communicators.
Interesting statistics and information. Very hopeful for solopreneurs like myself! The list of declining job opportunities is a huge reason why retail businesses are failing without realizing why. They blame it on Amazon but when you don't have sales clerks and cashiers in your stores, it makes it impossible to shop there. Same for businesses that you need to call to schedule an appointment or resolve an issue. And as much as we think we don't need it, that small human interaction we get from shopping in person or a call is important.
Congrats on your growth and continued success! I see you rolling down the streets of Substack lifting up women from here to there.