A letter from the editor

Welcome to Founder Brew, the latest publication from the Morning Brew Inc. team. We’re here to help entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, co-founders, side-hustlers, and anyone else trying to figure out how to make a living on their own terms.

In 2023, the most recent year available from the US Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, there were 36.4 million businesses in the US, with the vast majority—82%, or 30 million—classified as nonemployer businesses. In March of this year, 491,941 businesses filed for an employer identification number, or EIN, according to seasonally adjusted Census data from last month.

Given the 2020 Census count of 331 million Americans, it feels safe to estimate that less than 11% of the population is a current company founder.

If that percentage includes you—or if you aspire to join that cohort—you’re in the right place. We understand that founding a company is personal. We want to be your resource for helpful, trustworthy information about starting an endeavor. For founders going it alone, we’re here to help you operate, not isolate. For founders with partners or employees, we’re here to listen to all the things you can’t share with the people who rely on you for their paychecks. You may be working individually, but you’re not alone.

Every company journey is different, but founders tend to travel through similar peaks and valleys that only their peers can understand. We’ll be sharing stories from founders who have been through it all and lived to tell their tale. We want to connect you with lessons from founders who have gone through dilemmas like the ones you’re facing and who can share their tips, tricks, and traps.

Whether you’re officially founding your startup, self-funding your family business, or simply finding your way, Founder Brew is for you.

We can’t wait to work together.—MM