Starting out by yourself takes away the normal performance indicators that come with working within a business, such as a monthly review or feedback from your boss.  This article in Forbes looks at some of the methods entrepreneurs use to measure success as a startup firm. Rather than looking strictly at revenue, ForbesWoman suggests that analysing how much you have learnt and the extent to which you have changed your original business plan is a better way of thinking about success in the early stages of a new venture.