Lindsey Vigoda opened our New York office two years ago after five years with our Colorado Team. Our outreach team helps entrepreneurs on two fronts: It advocates for policies that benefit small businesses and it offers webinars and in-person events that offer entrepreneurs tips on how to grow their businesses.
Small Business Majority recently released its 2026 federal policy agenda, The Agenda for America’s Entrepreneurs, which outlines policies to empower small businesses to build a thriving and equitable economy.
On August 27, Small Business Majority submitted a statement for the record in advance of a U.S. House Committee on Small Business hearing titled “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses.” The statement underscores the need for reliable, affordable broadband in rural communities and highlights the ongoing connectivity gaps that hinder rural entrepreneurs from starting and growing 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.
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.
Although Jessi Burg loved her career in seasonal industries like environmental education, outdoor guiding and agriculture, she faced a big problem.
“I wanted to make a living wage,” she said.
With that goal in mind, the future Colorado entrepreneur thought about the small business owners she knew. They seemed to have more control over their wages, work schedule and life. This realization led her to found a landscaping business, Pears to Perennials, in 2016.
Evera Ivy never planned to take over the family business. In the early 1970s, her parents moved the family from Chicago to rural Pembroke Township, Ill. to start Ivy League Farms. Evera and her siblings initially didn’t want anything to do with the farm. However, another farmer in the area once told her that “Land is the one thing that cannot be produced or reproduced.” That wisdom stuck with her and opened her eyes to the value of her family’s land and business.
Entrepreneurship runs in Dusti Budd’s family. Capitol Deli was originally owned by her step-dad, Steven Lloyd. Around 25 years ago, Dusti worked under him until he sold the business. Fifteen years later, Dusti was taking business classes at Colorado Mountain College, which required her to create a business plan. This later inspired her to buy Capitol Deli and open a location in Newcastle, Colo.
On April 15, Small Business Majority sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership urging Congress to provide robust funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for critical federal programs that support small business development and growth.
In 2018, Lauren Coleman started The Sursy with the vision to build a bespoke hospitality brand that owns, designs, and operates a portfolio of unique properties across the Southwest. She owns the White Swan Motel in Lakewood, Colorado (to become Loveland House Hotel) and Mellow Moon Lodge, Rodeo Mercantile, and the Moon Bar & Lounge in Del Norte, Colorado.
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