About Michael Lim.

Solopreneur coach. Author. Speaker on the future of work.

The question that changed everything

My 90-year-old grandmother ruined my life.

Her advice shattered everything I knew.

While in Singapore earlier this year, She asked me a simple question: “Are you happy with what you’re doing?”

I said yes. …I thought I was.

I had a six-figure job, a fancy title, and a house. Everything society tells you to get.

But then she just stared, silent and waiting. She used her Asian grandmother powers on me.

So I admitted I wanted to travel the world, and pursue a new business idea.

She asked, “What’s stopping you?” I listed the reasons: work, routine, responsibilities. She shook her head and said, “Excuses.” “Life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.”

She was right. I was holding myself back.

Thirty days later…

→I quit my job, →Exited a business, →Left my newly built house, →Boarded a one-way plane to Asia.

My old life was ruined. (in the best way possible).

It’s been more than 100 days since I left. My life enjoyment has 10x. I’m building a one-person biz I love. I’ve eaten more Durian than ever before. I’m living and working anywhere in the world.

And last month, I got to be in Singapore to celebrate her 90th birthday, alongside my mum and older brother.

Michael Lim celebrating his grandmother's 90th birthday in Singapore with his mother and older brother
Celebrating my grandmother’s 90th birthday in Singapore, with my mum and older brother.

To anyone feeling stuck, remember this: You’ll always find an excuse. You’ll always find a better time. You’ll always find a reason to play it safe.

But… The business, travel, and life you want, is on the other side of fear and discomfort.

Feel the fear. And do it anyway.

— Michael

Read more on Substack

In brief

Who is Michael Lim?

Michael Lim is a solopreneur coach, author, and speaker who helps experts, founders, and ex-corporate professionals turn their knowledge into a one-person business. He is the creator of the Solopreneur Launch Operating System, a five-stage method for building an inbound client pipeline from their own expertise. He is a signed author with Earnshaw Books and Vice Chair of the Young Entrepreneurs Group Asia-Pacific (YEGAP). A University of Melbourne graduate, he has spoken in Nepal, Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan, and writes for an audience of 92,000 followers on Medium. He splits his time between Bali and Singapore.

What I do

I help experts monetize their minds, not their time.

Hi, I'm Michael. I left a corporate career in 2024. I gave up a big salary, an Executive Director title, and a share of the company. Then I built a one-person business while living across Southeast Asia.

Now I help founders, creators, and ex-corporate professionals do the same. I show them how to package decades of know-how into a personal brand, an offer, and a business that runs on its own.

Build your expertise once. Profit from it forever.

Key facts

Michael at a Glance.

92,000

Medium.com followers

8,000+

Newsletter subscribers

$1M+

Client sales generated

100+

Entrepreneurs coached

6x

Award-winning entrepreneur

5-stage

Launch Operating System

5 countries

Spoken on stages worldwide

Author

Signed with Earnshaw Books

Vice Chair

Young Entrepreneurs Group APAC

The journey

My story.

  1. Age 15

    Labeled a disengaged student.

    School had mostly given up on me. I was restless, rebellious, and going nowhere fast.

  2. Age 16

    I joined the NITOR Program.

    An alternative education program for kids like me. It changed the path I was on.

  3. Age 18

    Below average English results in high school exams.

    I finished high school with below-average English marks. Not the obvious start for someone who'd go on to write and speak for a living.

  4. Age 21

    I graduated from the University of Melbourne.

    I crossed the stage alongside the two teachers who once ran that program. Full circle.

  5. Age 22

    I became CEO of CHASE.

    A local organization helping kids who were just like me in high school. Our work won an award.

  6. Age 22

    Heartbreak, and my first words online.

    I went through the most painful breakup of my life. Writing online became how I made sense of it, and I never really stopped.

  7. Age 22–26

    I worked as a government policy consultant.

    Specializing in education and employment. I kept writing online the whole time, even though almost no one was reading.

  8. Age 26

    I quit my 9–5 and bet on myself.

    I left the job to start my first one-person business, in government procurement.

  9. Age 26–28

    My writing finally found its readers.

    I kept publishing and grew from 6,600 to 84,000 followers on Medium.

  10. Age 27

    I became an international business speaker.

    I spoke on stages in Nepal and Amsterdam.

  11. Age 28

    I sold my first company.

    I founded and ran a procurement consultancy, Beyond Value, and it was acquired.

  12. Age 29

    I left Australia for Southeast Asia.

    I traded one home for many, building my life and work across the region.

  13. Age 30

    I signed a book deal with Earnshaw Books.

    The kid with below-average English marks is now writing a book.

  14. Today

    Now I help others step off.

    I built a one-person business across Southeast Asia. And I get to speak on international stages every year.

On stage

What I speak about.

Topic 01

The future of work

How AI and the creator economy are reshaping how we work. And how to stay relevant.

Topic 02

Solopreneurship

How high performers can leave the 9 to 5, build a one-person business, and get paid for their story.

Topic 03

The ASEAN decade

Why Southeast Asia is not emerging but leading. And what that means for founders and investors.

Each talk is a 30 to 60 minute keynote, a panel, or a workshop, tailored to your event.

Book me to speak

Recognition

6x Award-Winning Entrepreneur.

Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Award

2017, State Government of Victoria

Brimbank Young Citizen Award

2018, Brimbank City Council

We Are Brimbank Learning Excellence Award

2018, Brimbank City Council

Alumni Rising Star Award

2023, University of Melbourne

7NEWS Young Achiever Awards

2023, Awards Australia

7NEWS Young Achiever Awards

2024, Awards Australia

In the media

Press & Recognition.

Feature University of
Melbourne 2025

University of Melbourne

Connection is key: Michael's mentorship turned partnership

Read the feature
Speaker Social Enterprise
World Forum 2022

Social Enterprise World Forum

SEWF Speaker Profile — Michael Lim

View the profile
Interview Social Enterprise
World Forum 2023

Social Enterprise World Forum

“Find the tribe with your vibe” — advice for young social entrepreneurs

Read the interview
Podcast · Ep 395 Impact
Boom 2023

Impact Boom · Podcast Ep. 395

The internal challenges impact-led entrepreneurs face

Listen to the episode
Document Victorian
Government 2021

Victorian Government · PDF

Michael Appointed to Government Boards

View the document
Award University of
Melbourne 2023

University of Melbourne

Faculty of Arts Rising Star Award 2023

Read the feature
Feature Star
Weekly 2023

Star Weekly · Melton & Moorabool

Melbourne Uni recognises Melton advocate

Read the feature
Award Star
Weekly 2023

Star Weekly

Victorian Young Achievers Award 2023

Read the feature
Panel StartSpace 2023

StartSpace · State Library Victoria

Panel — The Future of Social Enterprise in Victoria

View the event
Award Star
Weekly 2018

Star Weekly

Winning the WeAre Brimbank Awards 2018

Read the feature
Award Star
Weekly 2018

Star Weekly

Brimbank Young Citizen of the Year Award 2018

Read the feature
Podcast Star
Weekly 2019

Star Weekly

A voice for young people

Read the feature

FAQ

Questions about Michael Lim.

Who is Michael Lim?

Michael Lim is a solopreneur coach, author, and speaker who helps experts and ex-corporate professionals turn their expertise into a one-person business. He created the Solopreneur Launch Operating System and is a signed author with Earnshaw Books.

What does Michael Lim do?

He helps founders, creators, and senior professionals build a personal brand, a clear offer, and an inbound client pipeline, so buyers come to them. He works with clients through a community, coaching, and consulting.

What is the Solopreneur Launch Operating System?

It is a five-stage method for building a one-person business: Perfect Positioning, Magnetic Content, Cash Launch, Compelling Offer, and Operating System. Stages one to three turn a lead into a customer. Stages four and five turn that customer into a high-paying client.

Where is Michael Lim based?

He splits his time between Bali, Indonesia, and Singapore, and works across Southeast Asia.

What does Michael Lim speak about?

He speaks on the future of work, solopreneurship, and the rise of the Asia-Pacific economy. He has spoken in Nepal, Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan.

How can I work with or book Michael Lim?

Take his free 10-minute assessment at solopreneurassessment.com, join the Solopreneur Launch Community, or email michael@michaellim.co to book him for a speaking event.

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