microbusiness
Very small enterprise
A microbusiness is a very small enterprise, typically with fewer than ten employees and minimal startup capital.
The term distinguishes the smallest commercial operations—often sole proprietorships or family ventures—from larger small businesses: She runs a microbusiness selling handmade jewelry online.
Also spelled micro-business.
Working independently, not hired
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- one-personFor a lone individual
- home-basedLocated at residence
- independentFree from external control
owner-operator · solopreneur · moonlighting · unincorporated · permit · license · registration
Self-starting without external input
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- launchSet into motion
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
- pitchFrequency of sound
lean · MVP · prototype · incubator · accelerator · cofounder · microloan · crowdfunding
Residential area nearby
- family-ownedOperated by relatives
- mom-and-popSmall owner-operated enterprise
- boutiqueSmall specialized retail shop
- brick-and-mortarPhysically present business
storefront · village · town · community · kiosk · hawker · proprietor · shopkeeper
Area of expertise
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
- customizedAdapted to specific requirements
- focusedDirecting attention narrowly
- targetedChosen for specific attention
underserved · specialized · curated · personalized · bespoke · custom · segment · differentiation
Made manually, not machined
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- potteryFired clay objects
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
woodworking · ceramics · tailoring · leatherwork · jewelry · knitting · quilting · glassblowing
Small-scale credit assistance
- microfinanceSmall loans for poor entrepreneurs
- microcreditSmall loans to entrepreneurs
- bootstrappedFunded without outside capital
- self-fundedPaid with own resources
cash-flow · break-even · bookkeeping · invoice · receivables · grants · collateral
self-employed
Working independently, not hired
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- one-personFor a lone individual
- home-basedLocated at residence
independent · owner-operator · solopreneur · moonlighting · unincorporated · permit · license · registration
bootstrapping
Self-starting without external input
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- launchSet into motion
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
pitch · lean · MVP · prototype · incubator · accelerator · cofounder · microloan · crowdfunding · venture
neighborhood
Residential area nearby
- family-ownedOperated by relatives
- mom-and-popSmall owner-operated enterprise
- boutiqueSmall specialized retail shop
brick-and-mortar · storefront · village · town · community · kiosk · hawker · proprietor · shopkeeper
specialty
Area of expertise
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
- customizedAdapted to specific requirements
- focusedDirecting attention narrowly
targeted · underserved · specialized · curated · personalized · bespoke · custom · segment · differentiation · word-of-mouth
handcrafted
Made manually, not machined
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- potteryFired clay objects
weaving · woodworking · ceramics · tailoring · leatherwork · jewelry · knitting · quilting · glassblowing · blacksmithing
microloan
Small-scale credit assistance
- microfinanceSmall loans for poor entrepreneurs
- microcreditSmall loans to entrepreneurs
- bootstrappedFunded without outside capital
self-funded · cash-flow · break-even · bookkeeping · invoice · receivables · grants · collateral
- small businesssole proprietor, owner, mom-and-pop, startup, entrepreneur
- bootstrappingself-funded, self-funding, sweat equity, startup funding, solopreneur
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
- side workside job, side jobs, side hustle, side gigs, side hustles
microbusinessmultinational corporation
Business operating in many countries
megacorporation · conglomerate · big business · industrial giant · multinational
microbusinesscorporation
Legally separate business entity
conglomerate · multinational · bureaucracy · corporate entity · holding company