What if the smartest way to grow a business is to stop chasing growth?

In Company of One, Paul Jarvis argues for staying intentionally small: prioritising independence, profit, and purpose over headcount and hype. Drawing on years as a freelancer and founder, he shows how to design a lean, resilient operation: define “enough”, question defaults, ship tiny MVPs, simplify offerings, automate the dull bits, and build an audience who’d notice if you disappeared.

He pairs optimism with boundaries: test assumptions, say no often, and trade vanity metrics for long-term customer value. Success is recast as freedom, trust, and calm systems—not valuations.

This is a practical compass for solopreneurs, freelancers, and small teams who want to stay profitable and adaptable without scaling for its own sake. If you suspect bigger can be riskier—not better—this book offers a saner path.