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Over the course of this year we’ve looked back at two decades of milestones, people and issues that have helped shape Small Business Majority’s work to build a thriving and inclusive economy. But for our final blog in this series, we’re looking ahead as our Founder & CEO, John Arensmeyer, shares his thoughts on where we’re going as an organization and what it will take to get there so that we can continue to help small businesses succeed for another 20 years – and beyond. 

While every entrepreneur sets out to build a successful business, a lack of reputable resources and guidance can leave even the most experienced small business owner unsure of where to start or how to sustain their growth. That’s why Small Business Majority has worked to equip small business owners with the support they need through our online resource hub, Venturize. Here, business owners can access expert guidance, safe capital and the tools they need to strengthen and scale their small businesses.

At Small Business Majority, our guiding belief is simple: the strongest policy solutions come directly from the people who run small businesses every day. Entrepreneurs know their challenges better than anyone, and they deserve a meaningful role in shaping the policies that affect their livelihoods. Our national and state-based small business councils are one way we make this possible by giving small business owners a formal platform to guide our mission, influence policy and strengthen small business ecosystems nationwide.

For two decades, Small Business Majority has worked to ensure that entrepreneurs don’t just navigate policy decisions—they help shape them. From advocacy fly-ins on Capitol Hill to testimony in state and federal hearings, we’re creating real opportunities for small business owners to share their stories, influence legislation, and make their voices heard where it matters most. Read more about how we’re elevating small business voices.

For 20 years, Small Business Majority has shown that meaningful change for entrepreneurs often starts in the states. From helping implement the Affordable Care Act in California to advancing paid leave, retirement programs, Medicaid expansion and more across 13 states and D.C., our Outreach Team members have driven policy innovation and empowered small business voices in local decision-making. Read this blog to learn how our state-focused advocacy model took shape and how it continues to spark progress for small businesses nationwide.

All too often, lawmakers fail to recognize the relationship between policy decisions and the impact they have on small businesses. Small Business Majority helps people in power make that connection in a variety of ways, including by conducting our own original research. Since our earliest days, we’ve utilized scientific opinion polling on the national and state levels to determine small business owners’ views on a range of topics like access to capital, healthcare and workforce issues, and also to learn about how various issues and challenges are actually impacting their businesses. We then use these findings to drive our advocacy work.

For many justice-impacted individuals, small business ownership isn’t just a dream—it’s often the only path forward. Entrepreneurs like Ruben Mauricio are proving that with determination and the right support, second chances can lead to thriving businesses and stronger communities. Learn how they’re overcoming systemic barriers to build better futures.

Small business ownership has long been recognized as a path to financial freedom and independence, but many entrepreneurs are held back by big businesses that game the system in their favor – in both digital spaces and in the real world. This uneven playing field dominated by large businesses leaves small business owners struggling to keep up. That’s why for the past 20 years, Small Business Majority has worked to level the terrain by exposing the tools big businesses use to gain a leg up on their smaller competitors including working to ban non-compete agreements, enforce price discrimination laws and advancing policies that promote fair competition.

The pandemic pushed small businesses into the digital age faster than anyone expected. Some were able to pivot quickly—launching online stores, expanding their social media presence, or streamlining operations with new tools—but others struggled to keep up. To help better understand the evolving playing field, in 2023 Small Business Majority launched a comprehensive digital transformation research project to uncover what small businesses need to thrive in this new era and ensure they aren’t excluded from the opportunities found in a changing economy. Read more to see how small businesses are adapting, where gaps remain, and what steps can help every business succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Tax policy can be confusing, and too often reforms benefit large corporations rather than small business owners. Since 2017, Small Business Majority has fought to ensure meaningful relief reaches Main Street entrepreneurs, sharing stories from real business owners who have been impacted by the tax code. Read more about these stories and our ongoing fight for fair tax reform for small businesses.