Small but Mighty
Why Partnering with a Small Businesses and Independent Contractors Just Makes Sense
Published on 5/19/2025
Going Small Isn’t Just a Choice—It’s a Statement
We live in a world where bigger often seems better. We’re told that growth is the ultimate marker of success, and that scaling up is the only way forward. But is that really the best path? For many small firms and independent contractors in the world of instructional design, staying intentionally small allows for quality, agility, and authentic client connections.
Here’e why working with them (or us) isn’t just good for your project—it’s good for the community and the economy.
There’s an unspoken rule in business: if you’re not growing, your failing. Bigger offices, bigger teams, bigger profits.
But what if we’re measuring success all wrong?
When the focus shifts to endless growth, something gets lost—personal connection, quality, authenticity. Small businesses and contractors thrive on the opposite: keeping things lean and personal.
When you work with a smaller team or one-on-one, you’re not just another project on the assembly line. You’re a valued partner in creation, someone whose needs are understood deeply and whose vision is prioritized.
That’s not just good business—it’s good design.
Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The Purpose-Driven Choice
When you choose to work with small firms or independent contractors, you’re making a conscious choice to value
Craftsmanship,
Accountability,
& Passion
for the work itself. We often operate with a sense of pride and responsibility that’s hard to find when projects spread across large, siloed departments. You’re not just paying for a service—
You’re partnering with people who genuinely care about the outcome.
You’re investment fuels innovation and supports the kind of hands-on expertise that only comes from creators who live and breathe their craft. Supporting small business isn’t just a transaction—
It’s an investment in quality & personalized care.
Why it Matters in Instructional Design
In the world of instructional design, bigger often means bureaucracy. Long approval processes, layers of account managers, and endless meetings just to make one tiny change. When you work smaller, you get speed, flexibility, and direct access to the person actually designing your learning experience. Decisions are made faster, adjustments happen seamlessly, and your vision is never diluted.
Small design teams and freelancers can meet you where you are, pivot when you need us to, and celebrate with you when your learning solutions create real impact.
It’s not just a marketing line—it’s at the heart of what we do.
Purpose & Passion
Partnering with a small business or freelancer is more than just a project decision; it’s a value statement. It’s about choosing:
Craftsmanship
Your investment supports those who are dedicated to the quality and authenticity of their work.
Sustainable Practices
Small firms and freelancers grow at a pace that values relationships, not just profit margins.
You work directly with experts, not through layers of management.
Direct Connection
The Real Measure of Success
Success isn’t always about scaling up (although scaling up is nice). Sometimes, it’s about scaling deep — building meaningful relationships, delivering high-quality work, and creating lasting impact. Small businesses and independent contractors do that with purpose, care, and heart.
Until next time — as you’re deciding who to trust with your design project, think small. Think meaningful. Think craft.
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