When you open your business without a partner (a spouse does not usually count as a partner for this purpose) and without filing any paperwork to choose one of the other business types, you are automatically a sole proprietorship. You are doing business with your customers directly as yourself, an individual. This is true even if you have a name for your business and file "fictitious name" or "doing business as" papers with your state or local government. When you open your business without a partner (a spouse does not usually count as a partner for this purpose) and without filing any paperwork to choose one of the other business types. Read More