Company of One by Paul Jarvis

I'm excited for this one, ladies! As an entrepreneur/self-employed woman for nearly two decades, I've been craving a more practical, sustainable work-life balance, especially since having a child later in life.

Please don't let the title fool you. I think new ideas for working more sustainably, even in corporate settings, can be learned in this book as well. If you're intrigued by the title and want to give this one a go, rsvp to join us. Would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on The Company of One.

Summary and book club questions below that we'll be discussing over Sushi at Yamato :-) PS. It's BYOB if you enjoy drinks. I'll be bringing mocktail options to share with those interested.

Summary
Company of One by Paul Jarvis challenges the growth-at-all-costs business mentality, arguing that staying small can lead to greater stability, profit, and freedom. Key discussion topics include defining "enough," automating to stay lean, maintaining quality over quantity, and redefining success, as discussed in the Musician & Co. blog post.

Core Discussion Questions

• What does "enough" look like in your business or professional life, and how does this contradict traditional growth narratives?
• How can you leverage your current, unique skills rather than expanding into new, unfamiliar areas?
• Which systems or automation tools can you implement to reduce work while maintaining or improving results?
• How did the book change your perspective on work-life balance?
• What is a practical "Company of One" principle you can apply immediately to your own work?
• What are the potential risks or downsides to not growing a company, and are they worth the freedom?
• Which of the four traits of a Company of One (autonomy, focus, speed, flexibility) do you feel you excel at, and which do you need to develop?
• How does the concept of a "Company of One" apply to working within a larger organization?

Reflective Questions

• What was your biggest "aha" moment regarding your professional life?
• What is a question you still have after reading this book?
• If you could ask Paul Jarvis one question about his philosophy, what would it be?