The Age of Independents

Are you an indie?

A movement, not a moment

Americans are going independent

Millions of Americans are working and creating independently. Each is on a unique path, but all share a spirit of self-directed discovery, industry, creativity, and autonomy.

The numbers below tell the same story three different ways—more people are starting things, more people are freelancing, and more people than ever say they want to be the boss.

More people are starting their own businesses

1 out of 5 US adults is in the process of starting a business—or has done so in the past four years. The highest level recorded since the survey began in the late 1990s.
Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, U.S. Report 2025-2026

More people are freelancing

Almost 80 million Americans freelance either full-time or part-time, and that number has been rising consistently year over year. By 2027—more than half of the total US workforce.
Source: Upwork, Freelance Forward 2023

More people are dreaming, too

People are choosing self-employment and entrepreneurship in record numbers. Underneath the data is a simpler story: a growing desire for autonomy, flexibility, and a life where work fits the rest of it.

  • Pandemic surge · July 2020

    • 547K
    • The peak month for new business applications. The early days of the pandemic produced the largest single-month spike in business formation on record.
      Source: U.S. Census, Business Formation Statistics

  • Last 5 years

    • 440K
    • New business applications every month. The post-2020 baseline never came back down. America is starting more things, more often, than at any point this century.
      Source: U.S. Census, Business Formation Statistics

  • National sentiment

    • 62%
    • The majority of Americans say they'd start their own business or work for themselves if given the chance.
      Source: Shopify-Gallup Entrepreneurship Study, 2024

Take the next step. Learn the fundamentals.

What is Business? is a short, practical course in how business actually works—without the MBA price tag. Three classes free. Full course for $49.