Opinion: Business structure matters more than the decision to become your own boss, research suggests
By
The Conversation Jun 22, 2026 7:00 PM
Summary
Despite entrepreneurial ambitions reaching an eight-year high in Canada, with 59% of Canadians aspiring to own a business, new research suggests that the structure of a business matters more than the decision to start one. The article argues that "being your own boss" is often romanticized as freedom and control, but the reality of self-employment can involve financial instability, isolation, and long hours. The key takeaway is that how a business is structured (e.g., sole proprietorship vs. incorporation, having partners vs. going solo) has a greater impact on success and well-being than simply becoming an entrepreneur.
Source

bskyOpinion: Business structure matters more than the decision to become your own boss, research suggestsvancouverisawesome.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledMore than 2.6 million Canadians work for themselves, and according to an annual RBC poll conducted in 2025, 59 per cent of Canadians aspire to own a business — the highest level since 2017.
A recent poll found that nearly two-thirds of people feel they have plateaued at work and see owning a business as their next move.
Being your own boss has become shorthand for freedom, control and finally getting ahead.
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