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 is that business structure, planning, and execution are more critical determinants of success than simply striking out on one's own.
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Key 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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