I had a good conversation recently with someone who might want coaching — or maybe just wanted to connect. We’ll see where it goes.
One of the things he asked about was my entrepreneurial background. Specifically, he was curious about the companies I’ve started and “exited.” I assumed from his use of exit that he was thinking in tech terms — as in, selling a company for a big payday.
I explained that my businesses have been more cottage-industry than seed-rounds-and-exits. And it struck me how common this assumption has become: that the norm for entrepreneurship is building something to scale and sell.
In reality, it’s still far less common to hear people talk about starting a small business they intend to run for 10 or 20 years. The narrative of “start, scale, exit” is relatively new — fueled by tech success stories and big-dollar acquisitions. These days, if you just want to start a 1-10 person business with no plans to sell, you’re often seen as quaint.
Recently, I read a couple of books that champion this different path:
- 📚 Company of One by Paul Jarvis
- 📚 Thought Leaders Practice (available free on the author’s site)
Both books make a strong case for building something intentionally small — something simple, manageable, and aligned with how you actually want to work. Less complexity. Less management. Less overhead.
Now, some people hear “small business” and assume “small income.” But that’s not always the case. Plenty of one-person companies make gobs of cash. And even if they didn’t — would that be so bad? What if you chose to trade a little revenue for more freedom, fewer headaches, and a life you actually enjoy?
We’ve all heard the story of the big-city exec who leaves it all behind to open a record shop or a one-person coffee shop. I’m not suggesting everyone should do that. But I am suggesting that more people — especially younger ones — should think carefully about what kind of work life they really want.
Work shapes so much of life: where we live, who we spend time with, how much freedom we have. And yes, we all want enough money to live comfortably. But the modern narrative that “entrepreneurial success” = selling for millions is just one story — not the story.
If you want to do the tech startup / VC / exit thing — go for it. But know there are thousands of small business paths that let you put your life first and work second (or even third).
Choose Your Priorities Wisely: Life First. Work Second.