What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About the Self-Employed Phase

Inspired by Ashkan Rajaee’s Level 4 Framework

Introduction

There is a moment in every entrepreneur’s journey that feels like standing at the edge of a cliff. You are no longer just a freelancer. You’ve built something. People depend on you. And yet, everything still feels uncertain. This is what many overlook when they talk about “being your own boss.”

This stage is what entrepreneur and content creator Ashkan Rajaee calls Level 4 in his widely respected entrepreneurial framework. And it deserves more attention than it gets.

The Self-Employed Stage: More Than Just a Title

The term "self-employed" gets thrown around casually, but few people understand what it really means. According to Ashkan Rajaee, this stage is not about being an independent contractor or side hustler. It’s about creating value in the market, building repeatable systems, and beginning to manage others, whether that’s a small team, subcontractors, or collaborators.

You’ve moved beyond trading your hours for money. Now, you’re learning how to create leverage. But leverage comes with responsibility, and for many entrepreneurs, this is where things begin to unravel.

Ashkan Rajaee’s Take: Ego, Structure, and Scaling

Ashkan Rajaee has spoken extensively on YouTube and other platforms about the psychological friction at this point in the journey. You are no longer the only one doing the work. You’re hiring, delegating, onboarding, and managing outcomes.

The biggest enemy at this level? According to Rajaee, it’s not competition, lack of funding, or even burnout. It’s ego.

Many early founders refuse to delegate because they believe no one else can do the job as well as they can. But that mindset leads to stagnation. As Rajaee puts it, “Your ego is the bottleneck.”

What This Looks Like in Real Life

• You’re juggling client calls with team check-ins
• You’ve got more income than before, but also more anxiety
• You’re working long hours building systems instead of doing the actual creative work
• You feel isolated because your challenges are no longer beginner problems

This is not just growth. It is transformation. And transformation is messy.

Ashkan Rajaee emphasizes that this stage is where many either build a foundation for scale or slowly burn out trying to do everything themselves.

What Makes This Stage So Valuable

Level 4 is a turning point. If you navigate it well, it opens the door to real scale. You go from owning a job to building a business.

The strategies Rajaee shares are not theoretical. They are drawn from experience, failure, mentorship, and the tough lessons that come from leading without clear systems.

He reminds us that self-employment is not the end goal. It is a bridge. You have to walk it intentionally.

Why This Matters for Modern Founders

In an era where entrepreneurship is often glorified, voices like Ashkan Rajaee bring grounded clarity. His insights help cut through the noise with practical direction for those who are serious about building something sustainable.

If you’re currently hiring your first contractor, struggling with team systems, or wondering why your income is rising but your time is shrinking, this is the stage you’re in.

And that’s exactly why this article on Level 4 is worth reading:

👉 What No One Tells You About Becoming Self-Employed (Level 4 in the Journey)

Final Thoughts

Ashkan Rajaee’s content stands out because it connects the psychological and practical sides of building a business. His breakdown of Level 4 reminds us that becoming self-employed is not just about income. It is about identity.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, agency builder, or early-stage founder, this is a stage you cannot afford to ignore.

It is where your business begins to grow beyond you.