Company of One

Starts out strong...

Company of One starts strong – but weakens as it progresses. And when he went down the "team this, teams that" path, I knew this book's title was the misleading (and typical) result of a book publisher (or editor) who insists on either a more appealing, better-selling title – or, added content that caters to a broader audience (i.e. teams).

The actual subtitle (premise) of the book is "Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business".

A better fitting subtitle for the actual book would have been: "Why Starting Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business".

The book isn't about staying small. It's about starting small. And there's a BIG difference.

In the beginning of the book (which is also the Audible preview), he mentions examples of being an author as a perfect example of a company of one. And that's why I purchased the book: to learn more about being successful as a SOLOpreneur – i.e. STAYING a "company of one".

With that said, the book is fair enough as a general business startup book. But so are many other books.

It's strange there are so few books that solely and extensively target SOLOpreneurship.

19 people found this helpful

Dont bother

Really disappointed, refered via a podcast dont waste your time listening. all he discusses are other peoples lives using basic formulas. Its more like a history book then any new ideas

17 people found this helpful

Not all that fresh

This was disappointing, and came across as somewhat amateurish in style. I’m surprised it was rated so highly. The advice wasn’t bad per se, but it was far from original. The book lacked depth, was highly repetitive, and, while underpinned by good ideas, did not communicate them very well.

Additionally, the performance was pretty terrible. Apparently Audible is a self publishing shop now? The narration was full of odd pauses, strange inflections, and just didn’t flow well at all.

13 people found this helpful

Repetitive and predominantly common sense

This book could probably have been cut in half with no reduction in content. Contained mostly self-evident comments about good customer service driving high retention. Also found the usage of large, venture-backed businesses that have never been profitable as examples to be very odd given the thesis of the book. Overall would not recommend.

8 people found this helpful

Captures my biz philosophy and gives me guideposts

I started my company of one three years ago. I reached viability quickly in the first year, had increased well beyond my highest salary in the second year, and continued double digit growth in the third, staying cashflow positive and profitable throughout as I expanded. I am at the phase where my business is and will remain viable. I can continue carefully growing, but I am ambivalent at best about adding employees, and I want to be more selective and continue tailoring to the work I find most engaging. I am also exploring the issue of moving from service delivery (all of my revenue is my own direct service and expertise) to developing monetizable associated products. My business represents my personality and beliefs, but I am also trying to figure out how to continue defining those and aligning the business to the beliefs. So this book is really perfectly timed for me. This book could have more details tailored to where I am at, but I think it's enough of an entre that I will check out Paul's podcast and community. I also recommended this book to a small circle of women entrepreneurs I'm in (almost all of whom are companies of one) for discussion and I can't wait to talk about it with them. The details for people just beginning are better, but of course I didn't have this book three years ago!

I think it might have been advisable for Paul to use a professional narrator but given the content and premise I also understand why he did it himself. There is some odd halting and there are awkward pauses, but at the same time it's his voice, and so it makes sense that it's his voice. I would have done the same, so I cannot blame him much.

11 people found this helpful

not for entrepreneurs

feels like the author's editor forced him to make it applicable to people working for large companies. I rarely don't finish a book but this one was a big disappointment.

17 people found this helpful

Could Have Been a Great Book!

The author makes a very compelling case for anyone to want to read the book. The main theory that you can do well (or better) by keeping your business small and manageable is very compelling. The introductory chapter lays the ground for a very interesting book. But it goes downhill from there. The book overall is very repetitive and should be much shorter. The author also confuses the audience by trying to appeal to everyone under the sun. He gives examples of individuals who have succeeded in bringing new ideas within large corporations. Calling them a company of one! He also said that technically large corporations are also "company of one". Well... which one is it?
It's not a book I would recommend. Read the author blog post instead and you will get basically what the book is telling you in 7 hours. I recommend Small Giants by Bo Burlingham or The million dollars, one-person business by Elaine Pofeldt. These two books tackle the same topic but much more effectively.

2 people found this helpful

Actuation was odd

The book is read with a lot of odd pauses. Like the sentence was going to end, but it doesn't.
Content was great. A fresh view on how to approach growth in business.

2 people found this helpful

Great Book

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I have been operating my own company of one for 4 years and this book let’s me know I am on the right track.

1 person found this helpful

A must read for intentional business owners

I’ve always had a hunch that slow growth is the best way to grow a business. This book validated my hunch. It’s very practical very insightful. It’s a reference material for intentional business owners.