a) The benefits to Natalie in operating as a solitary trader include:

• It would have been comparatively simple for Natalie to set up the business since there are few procedures and legalities involved .

• Being her own boss allows Natalie to have more elasticity in decision making, e.g. closing the store before time so that she can pick up her children from school or to attend parents’ evening at the children’s school

• The profits would be harvest only by Natalie as there are no other owners

• Being a small business, she could keep all business transactions confidential, i.e. only the tax authorities need to know about her monetary accounts