Dear Solo Business Owners and Professionals, I’m On Your Side

In a world that preaches bigger is better, and where value and legitimacy are often based off wealth, I think differently.

I believe solo businesses and solo professionals operate real businesses, solve real problems, make good clients, and play an important role in our economy and communities.

Your Business is Legitimate

Legitimate Business Defined

According to Law Insider, a legitimate business is a lawful business enterprise operating in compliance with federal, state, or local laws.

And, Fitter Law states on its blog: “In the legal context, legitimate refers to something that is real, bona fide, and reasonable.” This article points out that legitimate refers to something genuine and not counterfeit, and a business that operates in a lawful and transparent manner.

So, as long as you are operating your business according to law and in a forthright manner, your business is legitimate.

Your Budget Has Nothing To Do With Legitimacy

Some popular opinions suggest that businesses with smaller budgets aren’t legitimate businesses (solo businesses tend to have smaller budgets), but I disagree.

How much money you make or the size of your budget is unrelated to the realness or legitimacy of your business. In fact, I’d argue that many fraudulent businesses make a lot of money and have big budgets. Does that make these businesses legitimate? I think not.

As far as I know, there are no income thresholds for operating a lawful business. Your business might not be profitable, but that does not make it unlawful or not legitimate.

Legitimate is the wrong term to use, and I think it devalues a lot of small businesses doing good and professional work.

So, I would phrase things differently: If your business budget is too small for my services, you are simply not my ideal client. It’s not about legitimacy.

Your Businesses Is Real and Impactful

Similarly, I believe solo businesses and solo professionals have real businesses that play an important role in our economy and in our communities.

Before I wrote this article, I did a bit of research about solo businesses and their impact on our economy. According to this article on Forbes , about 80% of US small businesses are solo ventures. The article argues this statistic shows the impact solo and small businesses have in on our economy.

And, according to a National Business Association Report on the US Economy in 2024, small businesses make up over 99% of all US businesses and contribute about 43% of the nation’s GDP.

Finally, according to Faster Capital, solo enterprises help diversify income in communities. They can “fill market gaps left by larger corporations” and provide needed services and products. These same businesses also create local identity and pride for neighborhoods and communities.

I believe this is especially true in Portland. One thing that makes this city so special is all of the local, small, and independent businesses thriving here.

I believe solo business owners make great clients

I often hear in my industry that smaller businesses with smaller budgets are difficult clients, but my experience is different.

While I can’t dispute another person’s or business’s experience, I can share mine. While solos may not have the largest budgets, they are good for my business.

Some of my best clients are solo professionals. These clients have been loyal, pay on time, and have become friends. They also value my work and my insight.

Even more importantly, I love watching their businesses flourish and seeing how they provide value to their clients and community.

This is why I remain dedicated to helping your small business grow and thrive.