What is the Company of One all about?
Company of One by Paul Jarvis is a non-fiction book about small businesses benefitting from staying small. It proposes small businesses continuing to be run by one person since remaining low-key and having flexible hours is the key to success nowadays.
This business book is for people who are thinking of opening up a small business. Additionally, it is also for small businesses that are thinking of expanding. It’s not for people who want to put up a large-scale business, nor for small businesses who are undertaking expansion already.
Who is Paul Jarvis, the Author of Company of One
To better understand Company of One, let’s take a look at Paul Jarvis, the author. He is a writer and tech designer, and he has worked with professional athletes, start-up companies from Silicon Valley, and Fortune 500 companies.
He is, in more ways than one, the big man on campus. However, he runs his own newsletter, and he gives online courses on freelancing. That says a lot about a man who has run with the wolves but prefers to work on his own terms.
Thoughts About Company of One
Company of One was surprisingly a straightforward read from the perspective of a young, freelancing millennial. So if you’re a young person tired of putting on a monkey suit and slaving away on a 40-hour workweek, and you’re thinking of just putting up a small business that is within the range of your passion, this book is definitely for you.
To be honest, staying small is a great idea, especially now that we have a pandemic underway. Expanding means hiring more people, renting physical space, and purchasing more equipment. Doing all that while trying to stay away from the virus is nearly impossible. Companies, big and small, have taken to the internet to promote and advertise their business, products, and services, and it has made us all realize that you don’t need to be big to gather clients or customers.
However, there are a few points to keep in mind. First, Paul Jarvis is speaking from a privileged point of view. He lives quite a comfortable life, and he can afford to run his own business from the safety of his own home. He also discusses that companies do not need a growth mindset, that they can stay small while still profiting. The thought is not very realistic, especially from a business standpoint.
Business Books Similar To Company Of One
Here are some books that encourage small businesses and start-ups to have a growth mindset. Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow talks about building a company that will soon be self-sufficient enough to not rely on the person who built it.
Similarly, Elaine Pofeldt’s The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business is about having a business able to make millions while being run by one person. Both are ultimately more realistic while giving tips on how to run small businesses effectively.
