Many believe that hard work and smart thinking always lead to business growth. Yet the opposite is often true. Not all growth is good, and some growth has the potential to reduce sustainability and autonomy.

Companies hire more and more employees to pursue growth, better profits, and fame. Is "more" really what you want? The word "more" attracts and fascinates. Especially when it comes to earning money. But it is possible to make money as a small business manager and do a good job. CEOs of one-person companies run their businesses with the resources they have. Although it may require a little more ingenuity, solving problems this way can set a business up for long-term sustainability. Because it requires less money to keep it afloat.

As commonly understood in business, growth is not always a wise strategy if followed mindlessly. Most studies strongly suggest that blind growth is a major cause of business problems. It can lead to an unsustainable number of employees, cost overruns, and more work time than hours in a day. What are the consequences? These could be layoffs, selling the company at a sub-optimal price, or worse, closing the business entirely.

The “company of one” model is stated as follows: “Start small, define growth, and keep learning.” Staying small doesn't have to be a step to something else or the result of a business failure. It can be the ultimate goal or a wise long-term strategy. The point of being a small company is to get better without suffering typical growth failures. It's about increasing profits, satisfaction, raving fans, focus, autonomy, and expertise. At the same time, it is about resisting the urge to blindly increase payroll, expenses, and employee stress levels. This approach creates a profit buffer for the company to withstand market conditions. As well as a personal buffer to help them thrive even in tough times.