Starting from scratch with a Self Directed IRA or Solo 401(k)-
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If you are and intend to be self-employed with no full time employees, then the Solo 401(k) will be by far the better option. As investment vehicles the IRA and 401k are largely similar. As a retirement plan, the Solo 401(k) is vastly superior, with significantly higher contribution capacity, the ability to make Roth contributions of up to $18K per year with no income limitations, etc.
Depending on your ability to contribute, and therefore how quickly you can amass some working capital, you may choose to start with a fully self-directed Solo 401(k) or you may choose to establish a low-cost brokerage Solo 401(k) that would be limited to investing in stocks, funds, etc. for the near term. You could then upgrade to the self-directed format once you actually have funds to meaningfully self-direct. Both options work, but cheap and simple to start may be appealing.