America’s Voice on Small Business: Generational Views of Entrepreneurship and Small Business
America’s SBDC and The Center for Generational Kinetics
First published May 2017
Small businesses are an integral aspect of not only the economy but also communities and families across the country. They are the face of America because they represent the creativity, ingenuity, and hard work that fuels this country’s economy. It is critical that we understand the state of entrepreneurialism in America and
develop strategies to support and promote the success of current and future generations of entrepreneurs—whatever their age.
This national study is an important step toward achieving this goal. It was designed to uncover research-based insights into the entrepreneurial mindset of Americans, and how to engage them by understanding their perceptions, motivations, and behaviors when it comes to small business. For the purpose of this study, the term “small business” is defined as an independently owned and operated company that employs fewer than 500 people.