Have you ever wondered why a cat will puff up his fur, arch his back and make that tail stand straight up when he's feeling threatened? They say that the cat is trying to look bigger to scare his adversary. Small businesses devote a lot of energy to trying to "look big", too. I've seen little businesses run out of someone's home garage have the kind of stationery, business cards and advertising that make them look like big corporations.
Of course, everyone does this, trying to put their best foot forward. Companies like Mailboxes Etc. help the small businessman with accomodation addresses, fax and copying services. Places like Kinko's may provide the fancy office equipment and printing he cannot afford in his own office. I know a 15 year old entrepreneur in Houston who just ordered pens imprinted with the name of his web graphics business! The office supply stores are full of media printed with "Custom Logos" that really aren't - small businesses are their bread & butter, and "looking big" is the name of the game when you are starting out.
People who hire small businesses can see through most of the "front", but they appreciate that the small business is just trying to look efficient and professional. There is a limit to this act, though! You should still give that small business, mom & pop type of service, and let your customers know how important they are to you. Don't be such a big-shot that you don't return phone calls promptly, and take care of your clients personally. Being a small business has its advantages, too, you know. When people call around to price a job and they get machines answering the phones, they may hang up and try the next company until they get a human being on the line. People trust "Two Men and a Truck" movers to give them a better deal and more personal service than the big vanlines. The small business is attractive to a corporate buyer looking for a deal and extra attention as a client.
And then one day, you go into the office and find that you aren't pretending anymore - you really do have a pretty big business! The payroll and the facilities and the equipment has grown up to exceed what you were pretending to have a year or so ago. You hear statistics about businesses that have doubled their staff and revenue, and know that you are one of them. Now you can devote less energy to looking like a big business and more time to taking care of your big business!