There are some small businesspeople that should remain small, forever.

I dont mean that they shouldnt be profitable, wildly so, if possible. That would be great, and power to them if they can figure out how to do it, while remaining small.

I mean that by dint of temperament, or based on the inherent nature of their occupation, they simply shouldnt try to have a large staff.

For instance, much of what I do involves writing and public speaking, which are solitary activities. I can teach people to improve their skills in these areas, and I do this professionally, for other companies.

But I recognize, in all practicality, I cant clone much of what I do, inside of my own company, and delegate my critical duties to others.

For example, I have set a goal of writing hundreds of articles, and posting them on the Internet through ezines. Im well underway, and soon Ill reach this target.

But, no one else can write my articles for me. Oh, sure, there are P.R. firms that can try, but theyd be expensive and take forever to achieve the task. Moreover, I dont think its ethical to put my byline on somebody elses output.

When I was first starting out as a consultant, the director of continuing education at a midwestern university told me, Youre going to have to choose whether you want to be a four-star restaurant, or be McDonalds.

He missed something. He should have included being a one-cart hot-dog vendor.

Thats a viable business for many people. Plus, theyre not answering to anybody above them, or below them.

Carls, Jr., is a chain, like McDonalds. It sells hamburgers, fries, and the like. And Carl Karcher, its founder, was precisely a one-cart hot-dog vendor, when he struck out on his own.

Obviously, he made it big, but he could have made it small, if he had so chosen.

And for some, that is the better, happier choice, and theres nothing wrong with either!