I set myself the challenge to compile a list of lists, counting down from 100 to 1. The items on the list deal with self-improvement, productivity, language, money, entrepreneurship, leadership, simplicity, love, blogging, health and the environment. O…

But I'm in partial agreement – there's a certain advantage to saying, “Just do it.” (to steal a catch phrase)

And, even with plans you're going to make mistakes. Plans aren't fullproof.

Having started a few businesses and almost started many more, I can say that there's a definite advantage to putting *something* on paper. Even if it's not your traditional/typical business or marketing plan. Get something written…a vision, a mantra, goals, a few bullet points on strategy…put something down and roll from there.

I'd also say that you can start something by doing things like talking to people, fleshing out an idea, while you're also working on a more formalized plan; the process doesn't have to be totally serial.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep coming and discussing…your site looks very interesting too.

But I’m in partial agreement – there’s a certain advantage to saying, “Just do it.” (to steal a catch phrase)

And, even with plans you’re going to make mistakes. Plans aren’t fullproof.

Having started a few businesses and almost started many more, I can say that there’s a definite advantage to putting *something* on paper. Even if it’s not your traditional/typical business or marketing plan. Get something written…a vision, a mantra, goals, a few bullet points on strategy…put something down and roll from there.

I’d also say that you can start something by doing things like talking to people, fleshing out an idea, while you’re also working on a more formalized plan; the process doesn’t have to be totally serial.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep coming and discussing…your site looks very interesting too.

just my 2 cents.

just my 2 cents.

I would guess that when most companies start, the original person with the idea almost immediately looks for partners with complimentary skills, and since there's probably not a lot of money (if any) on the table, it's about sweat equity and ownership. And so you've got partners.

I don't see any reason why a 1-person owned company can't be as successful as any other company, although if they require financing to help they may need to go out and get it (which may mean losing some ownership / taking on partners.)

I'd say when starting your FIRST business it might be harder as a 1-person owned company because you'll have less financing, experience, connections, skills. After your 2nd or 3rd go of it, you might have more success.

If anything, being a single owner could be an advantage in terms of making decisions, clarity of vision, etc.

Maybe someone else will have some great examples?

What I was referring to was 1 owner companies, rather than partnerships, or VC funded companies which are owned by many people. How far can a 1 owner company go? The largest one that I know of is Wegmans Food Market. 25k employees and still privately owned. Not sure if there's just one owner or if ownership is split up among the Wegmans family members.

I used to work for them. Wonderful company and top ranked by their employees as a great place to work year in and year out. Are there other examples of this type of success?

I would guess that when most companies start, the original person with the idea almost immediately looks for partners with complimentary skills, and since there’s probably not a lot of money (if any) on the table, it’s about sweat equity and ownership. And so you’ve got partners.

I don’t see any reason why a 1-person owned company can’t be as successful as any other company, although if they require financing to help they may need to go out and get it (which may mean losing some ownership / taking on partners.)

I’d say when starting your FIRST business it might be harder as a 1-person owned company because you’ll have less financing, experience, connections, skills. After your 2nd or 3rd go of it, you might have more success.

If anything, being a single owner could be an advantage in terms of making decisions, clarity of vision, etc.

Maybe someone else will have some great examples?

What I was referring to was 1 owner companies, rather than partnerships, or VC funded companies which are owned by many people. How far can a 1 owner company go? The largest one that I know of is Wegmans Food Market. 25k employees and still privately owned. Not sure if there’s just one owner or if ownership is split up among the Wegmans family members.

I used to work for them. Wonderful company and top ranked by their employees as a great place to work year in and year out. Are there other examples of this type of success?

Even if you're very successful, you can only handle a certain number of clients and grow the business to a certain size by yourself.

Having said that, if that's what you want, then that's great. If you don't want to grow into a bigger organization, that's totally fine.

To grow bigger (which I won't say is “more successful” cause success is defined by the individuals) I think you need a team. Might be a small team…especially in the technology world where it's becoming easier/cheaper to develop software/web-based apps…but I think a small team of people with complimentary skills is where most businesses are growing from at this point.