Your favorite coffee shop. The accountant who’s done your taxes for years. The contractor who fixed your roof.
Small businesses are easy to take for granted. The numbers show how much we depend on them.
Small Businesses by the Numbers
According to the SBA Office of Advocacy, as of February 2026:
| Measure | Small businesses |
|---|---|
| Number of U.S. small businesses | 36.2 million |
| Share of all U.S. businesses | 99.9% |
| People employed | 62.3 million |
| Share of private-sector workers | 45.9% |
| Share of U.S. GDP | 43.5% |
| Share of private-sector payroll | 38.7% |
Nearly half of the private-sector workforce works for a small business, and small businesses produce more than two of every five dollars of U.S. economic activity.
Why Small Businesses Matter
They Create Jobs
Small businesses employ 62.3 million Americans. For many people, a small business is where they get their first job, learn a trade or build a career.
They Drive Innovation
Small businesses can move fast. They test new ideas, fill gaps larger companies overlook and serve niches that would otherwise go unserved.
They Strengthen Communities
Small business owners sponsor local teams, support local charities and show up for community events. When they grow, their communities grow with them.
They Know Their Customers
Small businesses build relationships one customer at a time. That personal service is hard to replicate at scale, and it’s why customers keep coming back.
How to Support Small Businesses
- Shop local first, before you click “buy” online
- Leave a review. A few sentences can bring in new customers.
- Share them on social media and tag them
- Refer friends and colleagues
- Attend local markets, pop-ups and community events
- Buy gift cards, which give small businesses cash up front
The Biggest Challenge Small Business Owners Face: Time
Small business owners wear every hat: CEO, salesperson, marketer, bookkeeper and IT department. The work that keeps the business running often crowds out the work that grows it.
That’s where the right support makes a difference:
- U.S.-based Virtual Assistants and Executive Assistants take inboxes, calendars and admin off your plate
- U.S.-based bookkeepers keep your books accurate and ready for tax time
- Marketing Assistants keep your content and campaigns moving
Resources for Small Business Owners
- Bookkeeping 101: Basics for Beginners
- How Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost?
- Best Expense Tracking Software for Small Business
- How to Outsource to a Virtual Assistant
- How Much Does an Executive Assistant Cost?
- Marketing 101: 25 of the Most Common Marketing Questions, Answered
Small Business FAQ
How many small businesses are there in the U.S.?
There are 36.2 million small businesses in the U.S., according to the SBA Office of Advocacy (February 2026).
What percentage of U.S. businesses are small businesses?
99.9%.
How many people do small businesses employ?
62.3 million people, or 45.9% of private-sector workers.
How can I support small businesses?
Shop local, leave reviews, refer friends, share them on social media and buy gift cards.
Give Yourself Time to Grow
BELAY has helped more than 25,000 leaders get time back since 2010. If you’re running a small business, you don’t have to do it all yourself.
