About the book
Paul Jarvis makes the case that a business can stay deliberately small and still be profitable and sustainable. His model is neither the freelancer paid per piece nor the start-up racing to scale, but a company of any size that commits to staying small. Remaining small, he argues, leaves room for more meaningful pursuits and avoids the headaches of managing employees, sitting through long meetings and worrying about expansion. Jarvis left the corporate world after deciding that a high-pressure, high-profile career was not his idea of success, and he now works from his home on an island off Vancouver. The book covers setting up shop, choosing revenue targets, keeping cash flowing, handling unexpected crises and keeping key clients happy.
David Heinemeier Hansson said Jarvis offers a broader and wiser idea of growth, one built on learning, betterment and contentment. Cal Newport endorsed it for arguing that a business should get better instead of bigger.
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This book has 4 recommendations
David Heinemeier Hansson (Co-Founder/Basecamp)
Growth has been hacked to simply mean “more”. More revenue, more customers, more employees, more products, more, more, more. That’s a tragically myopic view of growth. Paul Jarvis will help you open your eyes to a broader, wiser definition of growth. One of learning, one of betterment, one of contentment. There’s never been a more opportune time to launch or run companies that embrace having and being “enough”. The most important ingredient is a new worldview. Company of One can give you just that.
Ben Chestnut (Founder & CEO/MailChimp)
Ever since starting MailChimp 18 years ago, I’ve always been told that my way was wrong. My way has never been to “be big.” My way was always to “be useful.” My company has become a global brand with millions of customers, over $525 million in annual revenue, and almost 1000 employees united by a single mission to help companies of one and entrepreneurs. Go figure. There’s not one, right way. Only your way. Paul’s book, Company of One, can help you find your way.
Cal Newport (Author)
Jarvis makes a compelling case for making your business better instead of bigger. A must-read for any entrepreneur who prioritizes a rich life over riches
Chris Guillebeau (Author)
You’re not a machine, so why would you run your business like one? Company of One shows you another way. If you’ve ever wondered how to have a business that works for you—instead of the other way around—you need this book.
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- Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young (2 shared recommenders)