As we step into 2025, I spy continued reinvention for service providers, creators, and expertise-based business owners.

That’s me, and that’s likely you, too.

These predictions stem from my work with clients, observations within my community, and musings on what 2024 taught us—a year of platform chaos (hello X and TikTok), AI’s big breakthrough, and waves of job layoffs and burnout across industries.

Psst… until Friday, my 1-1 coaching intensive is available at half price. If you’re ready to make your mark in 2025 and step into Big Authority Energy, check it out here.

The Entrepreneurial Horizon: What’s Next in 2025

1. Portfolio Careerists take centre stage

Working part-time or freelancing alongside running a business will be more common. With businesses embracing fractional workers and flexible roles, professionals are rewriting what commitment looks like. Flexibility and revenue diversification are the name of the game in this economy. About 1/3 of my entrepreneur clients juggle freelance work to support their ventures—and they’re thriving in this new normal.

2. Signature Offers replace complex ecosystems

Buyer fatigue is real. In 2025, the experts thriving will focus on one standout programme, course, or membership rather than juggling a sprawling web of products. Refining and scaling a single, well-designed offer is not only easier and more profitable but also less overwhelming—for both the business owner and the buyer. Customers are tired of collecting dusty digital products and random purchases they barely remember making.

3. Behind closed doors deal-making

The fully-booked service providers making a killing won’t be the loudest on social media. Instead, they’ll operate like market traders—quietly exchanging expertise, introductions, and opportunities. These behind-the-scenes deals create lucrative, low-visibility ecosystems where the best work happens in spaces most of us will never know exist.

4. Coaching continues to boom

Coach training schools are accepting record numbers of trainees every single month, and the ripple effect is everywhere. Did your sister, colleague or aunt recently become a coach? That’s likely. New coaches bring new perspectives and also new competition. Why does everyone want to be a coach? This is my take.

5. Movements over mission statements

Standing out as a service provider in 2025 will take more than just a tidy tagline, but require truly standing for something — I call this your One Big Idea, or a ‘movement’. Buyers will increasingly connect to the perspectives behind a provider’s work. Experts with the clearest and most compelling movements will attract more clients, referrals and opportunities.

On this note…I’ve been quietly building movements alongside my clients in 2024.

Like Teresa, a trained coach, who soon developed an entire ecosystem and podcast around her services — tapping into an unmet need for sensitive professionals looking for better career guidance.

Or like Natalia Albin Legorreta, a creative agency director with a longing to merge her love for film and culture with her design work, developed her cultural commentary Substack. This bold move she says changes the game for her business and led to paid projects with filmmakers, invites to speak on podcasts, and access to insider networks for filmmakers.

Or even like myself. I expanded my own mission to guide entrepreneurial professionals in a bigger way in this crazy world of work, by launching Monday Mornings.

If building your movement matters to you this year — check out my current 1-1 offer available this month for entrepreneurs with Big Authority Energy, on discount until Friday!

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6. One-Person business armies

Thanks to advancements in AI, expertise combined with technical prowess is a winning combo. By leveraging tools like LLMs and AI-agents, many service providers will scale their capabilities and make their small businesses feel big. Customers will feel like they are stepping into business “ecosystems”—but behind the scenes its still a one person show.

7. Book deals become career-makers

Expect to see more micro-influencer size business owners landing non fiction book deals. The appetite for small business education is only growing, and service providers who are in the weeds with their clients and community have more to say. than a celebrity about what it takes to succeed in the current economy. A successful book launch becomes the defining moment in an entrepreneurs’ journey.

8. Blockchain makes a comeback

Since Trump’s re-election crypto is back, and so is the tech behind it. As major platforms continue to fall out of favour with creators and business owners, the use of web3 technology like community tokens will resurge. Decentralized ownership of IP and audience relationships becomes a smart focus for entrepreneurs concerned with protecting their business foundations.

9. LinkedIn gets influencer-ized

With LinkedIn pushing video content and TikTok’s potential demise, more business owners will hit record and short form videos will fill our feeds. Expect a lot more ‘day in the life’ — aka influencing — as helpful soundbites. As a whole, LinkedIn lines between personal and professional will continue to blur on LinkedIn.

10. Big Hits, not hamster wheels

The age of relentless content churn to “keep up” is fast fading. In its place? Marketing that feels more poignant and strategic — experts will focus on developing few “bigger hitters” think hefty blog posts, detailed reports and long-form videos. Less noise, more impact.

Final Thoughts

2025 is shaping up to be the year of clarity and consolidation: fewer scattered efforts, more strategic focus. Whether you’re building a network, crafting your authority, or doubling down on a single offer, intentionality wins.

If you’re a coach, consultant or expert I’d love to know what do you see on the horizon? Comment or hit reply—I’d love to hear your take.

Thanks so much for reading as always!

Until next time,

Ellen from The Ask.

Before you go.

Big Authority Energy awaits you…

Let’s make 2025 your defining year. Big Authority Energy is a short, transformative 1-1 coaching engagement designed to get you focused, and reenergised in your movement, your projects and ideas. Learn more here.