National

Nearly 80% of small business owners support a national paid family and medical leave (PFML) program, yet in the absence of federal action, states are stepping up. Small Business Majority has been at the forefront of this movement, helping shape programs like Colorado’s FAMLI through research, advocacy, and small business voices. Read about our efforts and hear directly from small business owners on why PFML matters.

At Small Business Majority, we know small businesses don’t succeed in a vacuum, they thrive when surrounded by a strong, connected support system. That’s why we’re committed to building small business ecosystems: networks of community organizations, mission-driven lenders, service providers, and policymakers working together to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses.

Rural entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges compared to their urban and even their suburban counterparts. Poor infrastructure including limited broadband internet, as well as a lack of access to hospitals, doctors, and childcare providers can make it difficult for rural economies to thrive. And while many cities have dedicated programs to support under-resourced small businesses, that often isn’t true in rural areas. That’s why small business advocacy organizations must help fill the resource void in rural America.

Many small business owners struggle to save for retirement or offer benefits due to cost and limited resources. That’s why Small Business Majority has long supported state and federal auto-IRA programs like California’s CalSavers, which provides no-cost retirement savings options for workers and helps small firms compete for talent. One early participant, bookstore owner Christin Evans, shares how CalSavers improved retention and professionalism at her business. With 20 states now offering similar programs, thousands more entrepreneurs and employees can plan for a more secure future—yet continued advocacy remains essential.