Is being your own boss a good idea? For many, probably not.
- Amanda Dunklin
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
As the rate of self-employment and freelancing rises, PIVOT has entered the scene at an ideal moment to be a great asset to many. Before we scream from the rooftops about the value we're bringing in support of launching, scaling and optimizing service businesses, our promotions and our members' results, the commitment and data shared here needs to come first.
My commitment to entrepreneurs
Now 40 (and a bit), I have spent 19 years of my adulthood self-employed.
As PIVOT's founder, it would be sensible to the bottom line for me to sell you on the idea of the freedom, luxury and limitless opportunities that come with being your own boss. (A few presidents clubs and many millions in revenue generated suggest that I am very good at selling ideas.)
I'm not going to sell you anything without being explicitly clear
of the difficult realities of being self-employed.
The data
I am a big fan of numbers and well-sourced data. The stories data tells without bias towards any perceived beliefs or desired outcomes, but instead simply: 'it is what it is' and I respect that.
The data speaking to me today:
StatsCan released their updated employment numbers today, (10/10/25, linked here), outlining a steady hold of self-employment at ≈2.7 million Canadians Jan '25- Sept '25.
Private sector is currently employing ≈13.96 million Canadians.
Employment by establishment size from '23-'24 (linked here) outlines:
In January 2025, the BDC (linked here) outlined the following:
99.8% of businesses in Canada have 500 or fewer headcount.
43.8% of the 99.8% have fewer than 10 employees.
55.3% of the 99.8% have fewer than 4.
Despite small businesses keeping more than their fair share of the Canadian workforce employed, large business continues to garner far greater supports, access to capital and continue to be granted ≈80% of government contracts as outlined here.
The reality
The headlines will scream that small business is the backbone of our economy (because it is) while simultaneously, as Greenshield outlines here, the reality of being self-employed looks like this:
Just 52% of have health coverage
51% experiencing significant stress and anxiety
33% facing burnout and 25% dealing with isolation
86% feel mental health support is important yet 66% of those without coverage is due to being unable to afford it.
This is the playing field. If you want in, we want to help.
If you don't, we absolutely get it.
What PIVOT is doing to help
Like most entrepreneurs, my first reaction to any issue is: where there is a problem, there is an opportunity. We won't promise anyone a solve-all or magic plan but what we will commit to wholeheartedly is this:
Creating a network of professionals that care.
Providing everything we've learned and continue to learn to help you increase the chances of success for you and your business.
You will have us in your corner supporting you to the best of our abilities, every step of the way.
