The markets employ producers, truckers, and vendors. Small business represents Cuba's most significant grant of autonomy to individuals. Five years ago, it was illegal for a Cuban citizen to quit a job and set up shop as a carpenter, hairdresser, restauranteur, or mechanic. Today it is legal, and over 150,000 Cubans are licensed, working entrepreneurs. Most are one-person businesses, barred from hiring employees.
Restaurants are limited to twelve seats.
For most, there is no wholesale supply market. A Pattern of Success Cuba's new entrepreneurs complain about income taxes, which were re-instituted two years ago. They dislike regulations, and some tell stories of arbitrary fines imposed by government inspectors. Yet in 152 interviews conducted in March by Joseph Scarpaci of Virginia Tech and me, it was clear that while Cuba's entrepreneurs chafe at the limitations, they are also determined to take advantage of their new opportunity, and that many are successful. They like their autonomy.