The January 2022 Indie Business Book Club pick: Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis. Almost all Indie Business Network member businesses start out as companies of one. While all of them hire some kind of help as they evolve, the vast majority get a great deal of fulfillment out of being intimately involved in the day-to-day activities of their businesses. In fact, they design their businesses that way.
Entrepreneurs today are increasingly excited about leading a business that allows them to enjoy a certain personal lifestyle. Profitability is important of course, but not more important than ending each work day with a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
The daily privilege of working in a way that allows you to define and experience success on your own terms doesn't just happen. It must be designed. This is exactly what I did nearly a quarter century ago when I quit my traditional job to pursue so much more than a career. Like the author of this book, I wanted to live the life of my dreams personally and professionally on my own terms. I couldn't find the job that fit my needs, so I created my own job and never looked back.
I designed the perfect “company of one,” and here we are today at the Indie Business Network. If you want to do that with your business, then join me as we read this book together. You too can go big without growing big.
What you'll learn …
In addition to enjoying a fresh and affirming entrepreneurial perspective, here are some of the things you'll learn by reading this book with me:
• how to set up a business that serves your desired lifestyle
• how to project revenues and profits so you can enjoy the benefits of predictable income
• how to deal with unexpected challenges as the leader of your business
• how to efficiently manage customer service as a company of one
• and more …
Reading Plan
The reading plan progresses in our private members only Facebook group. We will share and discuss valuable takeaways in our weekly Coffee with Donna Maria meetings on Mondays at 11am ET.
The link to join Coffee with Donna Maria live will be in your Monday morning member update.
The graphic below shows our easy reading schedule.
About Company of One
Company of One is an easy to read book that gently guides you to realistically assess whether your business model is working against you from a personal lifestyle perspective, and what to do to fix it if if's not. The author is all about the power of staying small, suggesting that it provides you with the freedom to pursue a more meaningful life as you avoid the headaches that come with traditional entrepreneurship.
About Paul Jarvis
In a word, Paul is a bit on the elusive side. Here's a bit of what I could find out about him.
He leads Fathom, a privacy-focused website analytics company. His website once featured lots of articles, but he has removed most of them. The book's dust jacket refers to a Twitter account, but it is closed, and it says that Paul lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia.
Visit what is left of Paul's website.
Buy Company of One
Buy this and other Indie Business Book Club picks at IBN's Amazon shop.
Of course, you can also purchase the book at your favorite local book store.
Are you ready? I am.
Join us!
If you're not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more information.
If you're a member of the Indie Business Network, make sure to join us in our private member Facebook group to get started. If you're not an IBN member, what are you waiting for? Join now and enjoy the book club and tons of other benefits to help you and your business grow.
