What kind of business do you want to create? There are a lot of different business models out there. Here we look at two models: building a traditional small business and being a solopreneur.

1. What kind of business
are you creating?
Helping Businesses
Grow & Succeed
Building vs. Being a Business
PRESENTED BY OREGON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CENTER PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2. Starting a business has never been
easier - thanks to the internet, digital
tools, crowdfunding, microloans, and
an extensive small business resource
ecosystem across the U.S.

3. So, what kind of business do you
want to create?
There are many different types of business
models out there. Here are two popular models:
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
-Build a business -
SOLOPRENEUR
-Be the business-

4. The journey of a solopreneur and a small business
owner start off very similar. They both wear
multiple hats and are focused on creating a
customer base.
But over time, operational differences start to
emerge.

5. The typical small business path.
Phase 1: When you’re starting out, you are
doing everything and there’s so much to do.
Things are a bit chaotic.
Phase 2: Sales are constant
so you hire employees. Now,
you become a manager.
Phase 3: You’ve developed systems and a
team that work well. You now enter into a
strategic leadership role for your business.

6. The owner focuses on their core skill or services and outsources other components of
their business. Their team becomes a network of other solopreneurs and contractors.
Above is a photography business example.
The Waterbug ModelTM for
solopreneurs.
Photographer
Virtual assistant
Webmaster
BookkeeperCopywriter
Graphic designer
Social media
manager

7. There is no right or wrong business model; it just
depends on what you’re seeking. Here are some
questions to help you decide what kind of
business you want:
 What kind of lifestyle do you want to have?
 What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
 What kind of impact do you want your business to
have on your family? Your community? Your
industry?

8. You don’t need to have all the answers right
now. But not taking the time to figure out what
kind of business you want, can lead to burnout
and unfulfillment in the future.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you
might wind up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra

9. Whichever business model works best
for you, we offer business courses to
help you start your business on a solid
path.
SMALL BUSINESS
BUILDERS
Learn more about the
Small Business Builders at
bit.ly/SmallBizBuilders
SOLO BUSINESS
BUILDERS
Learn more about Solo
Business Buiders at
bit.ly/SoloBiz

10. Oregon Small Business Development Center Portland Community College
971-722-5080 | sbdc@pcc.edu | www.bizcenter.org/PCC
PCC CLIMB Center for Advancement
1626 SE Water Ave, Suite 310
Portland, OR
PCC Willow Creek Campus
185th Baseline
Beaverton, OR
PCC SE Campus
SE 82nd & Division
Portland, OR
2014 Recipient of SBA’s Region 10 SBDC in Excellence and Innovation
The Portland Community College Small Business Development Center has helped thousands
of businesses over the past 30 years. We combine one-on-one advising with programs
taught by business experts, giving our clients the resources they need to grow their
businesses. In 2014 we worked with over 700 small business owners, trained over 1,500
clients in a wide range of courses, and celebrated many successes. We'd love to celebrate
your success.