Our Research: Entrepreneurship & Independent Economy
Small business owners are suffering from weak sales and decreased customer demand, and on top of that, a lack of access to capital. It is difficult for small business owners to access the capital that will help them grow, hire and jumpstart the economy. Our new opinion polling shows an overwhelming 90% of small business owners nationwide agree the availability of capital for small businesses is a problem.
Small businesses are navigating a sharp squeeze on Main Street, according to Small Business Majority’s latest Voice of Main Street poll released on March 25, 2026. Most entrepreneurs report rising expenses alongside falling revenues, with costs driven by tariffs, healthcare premiums, utilities, and supplies. At the same time, many say weak consumer demand, difficulty meeting payroll, and concerns about corporate consolidation are limiting growth and forcing tough choices—from raising prices to delaying hiring and investment.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has reshaped access to reproductive healthcare—and small business owners are feeling the effects. Research from Small Business Majority shows that entrepreneurs overwhelmingly view access to reproductive healthcare as critical to workforce participation, economic stability and long-term business success. While some business owners report limited or uncertain impacts so far, more say the decision has harmed their businesses than helped—citing effects on profitability, hiring and workforce stability. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, express deep concern, with many warning that abortion restrictions force women to choose between their careers and reproductive freedom. As access continues to narrow in many states, small business owners are increasingly worried about the long-term economic consequences for their employees, their communities and their bottom lines.
In January 2024, Colorado launched the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, offering up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers dealing with serious health or family-related needs. While many small business owners support paid leave and value taking care of their employees, they’ve faced hurdles navigating FAMLI.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, reproductive healthcare access has changed dramatically across the country. These changes aren’t just affecting individuals—they’re also impacting small businesses. To develop a deeper understanding of how access to reproductive health services impacts entrepreneurs, Small Business Majority held three focus group discussions in January 2025 with 16 diverse small business owners from across nine states.
Small Business Majority’s new national opinion poll of small business owners reveals that a plurality has benefited from government, private, or nonprofit programs designed to support a specific demographic group. This includes government agencies and federally-backed programs such as SBA’s 8(a) program, Women’s Business Centers and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as well as private grant and loan programs, consulting through chambers of commerce, and support provided through business incubators and accelerators. These programs have helped them with general business success and growth, access to capital and one-on-one mentoring and guidance.
Looking at the 100 largest metro areas in the United States, ICIC and Small Business Majority developed an interactive map tool that visualizes small business outcomes at the census tract level. Combining numerous public and private data sources, the tool offers users a unique perspective on how revenue and employment size may vary by the racial and economic characteristics of the owner and the neighborhood where the business is located.
As narratives and concerns about national crime persist, it’s important to take the perspectives of America’s entrepreneurs into account. This poll of brick-and-mortar small businesses provides insights into their views on public safety in their communities. The survey reveals that these small business owners are more concerned about economic issues that impact their businesses than crime in their communities.
As of January 1, 2024, some small businesses in the United States are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This new reporting requirement is part of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a law designed to help prevent and combat money laundering, tax fraud and other financial crimes. A recent Small Business Majority national opinion poll gauged small business owners’ awareness of the new BOI reporting requirement and their experiences with filing the report.
One year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Small Business Majority conducted an opinion poll of women small business owners to understand the importance of reproductive rights to their economic well-being and to the entire small business ecosystem. They support improved and expanded access to reproductive healthcare, including birth control and abortion.
As President Biden prepares to deliver his second State of the Union address, Small Business Majority surveyed small business owners and decisionmakers around the country to better understand their biggest challenges, as well as the top policy issues they want to see addressed by policymakers.
