BIGGER AND BIGGER, FASTER AND FASTER. THIS ISN'T just the mantra of the folks who design SUVs and sports cars. These days, it seems, the imperative of ever-increasing size and velocity is everywhere, from sports stadiums and 20-ounce steaks to high-speed Internet and drive-through grocery stores.

Sure, there is an undercurrent of thoughtful dissent out there--people preaching and practicing that "less is more," pulling back from the rat race to slow down, smell the roses, and simplify their lives.

But you won't find many entrepreneurs in the "small is beautiful" movement, entrepreneurs are, by nature, type-A people, thriving on speed and stress inherent in starting ...