There are some, like Robert Kiyosaki, who argue that the self-employed are nothing more than "independent employees" and have no chance at accumulating real wealth until they start to think like big business owners and investors.

On the other hand, Robert Gerrish and Sam Leader, co-authors of Flying Solo argue the following:

The dizzying array of books that imply your solo business is all but worthless unless it can be turned into a worldwide empire makes soloists even more discouraged. This "bigger, better, faster" assumption is so last century and sorely misses the point, at least according to most of the soloists we talk to. For them, soloism is about the connection, not the career. They seek to nurture a business that is an expression of themselves and their values. They would rather keep things manageable and meaningful than sweat about growth and profits, thank you very much. The idea that a soloist business should be run like a micro version of a multinational is not only outmoded, but is actually at the root of many a soloist's misery.

Damn straight!

I know in my heart that it shouldn't bother me that some people, even "experts," insist upon making a distinction between being a soloist and an entrepreneur. I know what I am and I know where the passion and the energy come from that make it possible to create my own opportunties.

I guess the insistence on making a disctinction just reminds me of an asshat guy I worked with many years ago, who loudly insisted that it was impossible to be a family if you didn't have children. Even at the age of 20, I knew that was a ridiculous thing to say, and I didn't agree with him at all.

Now, 17 five years later, I know from my own choices in life it doesn't take a children to make a family...my family is defined by my own decisions and my own values, just like my business.