Yes, Small Is Beautiful

Cashing out with a public offering may seem like the ultimate goal of a lot of entrepreneurs, but it turns out that's not so true. Most small-business owners see their companies as a lifestyle and a legacy, not just as another way to earn a living.

About 67 percent of business owners with fewer than five employees polled by Discover Card say that they want to stay small. And 42 percent plan never to retire. Most of these business owners have worked for large companies and decided that route isn't for them.

People who start their own companies really want to be their own bosses, says Sastry Rachakonda, director of Discover Business Card. They like the independence that comes with doing their own thing and the flexibility of setting their own schedules.