At Spectrum Business, we appreciate and admire business owners. To mark the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week (April 29 to May 5), we offer these reasons to love (and support) local small businesses.

 

Because they’re hopeful: 32% of owners surveyed in January 2018 said the first quarter of 2018 was a good time to expand, the highest percentage in the Small Business Optimism Index percentage since the survey began in 1973. —NFIB Small Business Optimism Index

 

Because they power the economy: 2 out of 3 net new U.S. jobs over the past five years were created by small businesses. —U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Because they make the American dream come true: 25% of U.S. entrepreneurs are immigrants. —National Venture Capital Association

 

Because they invest for growth: 40% of small businesses plan to improve existing customer experience and retention, 36% plan to launch new products or services, and 32% plan to invest in new customer acquisition activities and methods. —Wasp Barcode State of Small Business Report, 2016

 

Because women- and minority-owned businesses are thriving: There were 11.6 million women-owned U.S. businesses as of 2017, a 114% increase from 1997. Minority-owned businesses nearly doubled, to 11 million between 2007 and 2017. —American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses Report 2017; The Business Journals SMB Insights

 

Because they believe in themselves: Three-quarters of SMB owners report that their primary source of funding is their personal finances. —BlueVine Small and Medium Business Survey, 2015

 

Because they make employees happy: 3 in 4 employees say they are either very or extremely satisfied working for a small employer. —2017 Aflac Happiness Report

 

 

 

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