CASE STUDY: How this guy makes $1.7M a year, just by himself.

Ever wondered if you really need a big team to hit 7 figures?
Justin Welsh proves you don’t. He runs a one-person business generating ~$1.7M/year, with essentially zero full-time employees. Here’s how he does it:
Revenue Streams: • Online courses & digital products (“LinkedIn OS”, “Content OS”) • Newsletter sponsorships & subscriptions • Affiliate marketing via tools/resources
The magic? Diversification without complexity.
Audience & Content: • Started on one platform (LinkedIn), then expanded. • Methodical content system: idea → newsletter → threads & posts • Focus on short, high-value content and repurposing
Systems & Automation: • Rule: Eliminate → Simplify → Automate → Delegate • Values his time highly — paying for tools that save hours is a no-brainer • Part-time virtual assistant only; still solo
Key Metrics: • Revenue: ~$1.7M/year • Followers: Hundreds of thousands across LinkedIn & Twitter • Growth took years of consistent content and systems, not overnight success
Takeaways for Solo Entrepreneurs: • Pick one platform first • Build an audience before selling • Focus on high-leverage products over trading time for money • Automate & repurpose content wherever possible • Keep costs low — he reportedly runs it for ~$600/month on tools • Serve a specific niche deeply
Challenges: • Discipline is key — no one’s pushing you • Scaling past 7 figures may require strategic hires • Dependent on attention platforms → risk if algorithms change
Justin’s story proves you can scale big without scaling your team.
Here’s a question for you: If you were to start a solo business today, which platform would you focus on first, and why?

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