It’s been true for a long time that “micro” businesses, sometimes called “personal-sized” businesses, are the largest part of the economy. The self-employed, one or two-owner with no employees is a huge part of the U.S. and global economy.
If you need proof, here’s the US census data.
Some of the numbers:
- In 2006, there 20.7 million nonemployer businesses.
- They brought in $970 Billion in revenues in that same year.
Get it. Your little business is a major part of the economy. Because major corporations have such large coffers, they buy advertising (which is becoming about as effective as nasal spray for a goldfish) and that’s what we see. But that’s such a small slice of the truth.
I’ve heard that the number of “nonemployer” micro-businesses is expected to grow substantially over the next decade, for a variety of reasons. Although it’s sometimes hard to feel significant when you think you’re a lone voice in the wilderness- just remember there are another 20+ million voices standing with you.
The way you and I and our 20 million colleagues choose to do business has a major effect on how our culture and economy works.
What do you think? Do the numbers surprise you? Do you feel more hopeful?
