A fellow freelancer recently sent out an e-mail with the line at the bottom, “Freelancer by choice, not because of a layoff.” Most of my current clients know that I chose to leave my office job to pursue freelancing for the flexibility it provides, but the e-mail made me question if potential clients care why someone entered the world of freelance.

The Small Business Administration estimates that the number of one-person operations increases during tough times. An article on being your own boss in this month’s issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine states the number of people starting their own businesses increased 4.5 percent in 2007—just as the economic slowdown began.

I tend to think that an entrepreneur is an entrepreneur whether someone makes the move out of choice or necessity, but now I’m wondering if there a stigma associated with becoming a sole proprietor during a recession. I’m eager to hear what others think.