A nonpartisan movement for America's next 250 years
Small Businesses Built America.
Small Businesses Can Renew America.
We’re calling on America’s elected leaders from coast to coast to champion small business success and economic opportunity for all.
A voter-led movement to make small business success a national priority
Why This Matters
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy
We define “small business” as a company with fewer than 500 employees and less than $7 million in annual revenue. Small businesses comprise approximately 99% of all U.S. businesses.* Here’s what they provide.
- 44%of U.S. GDP
- 2 of 3new private-sector jobs
- 46%of America's workforce
- 97%of U.S. exporters
*By SBA/Census data, well over 99% of U.S. businesses meet the small-business employee threshold alone; accounting for revenue narrows that only marginally, putting the true share at approximately 99%.
Urgent Challenges
Three forces are reshaping the economy
Small businesses face a moment of unprecedented pressures. Policies that prioritize small business success can help meet this moment.
AI Disruption
New AI technologies can help small businesses innovate, succeed, and create jobs, but not if big businesses are allowed to use the same technologies to crush small business competition.
Silver Tsunami
Millions of Boomer-owned businesses are nearing retirement and, without buyers, are at risk of closure. We stand to lose trillions in local economic wealth and jobs in the next decade.
Political Gridlock
Our elected leaders won’t collaborate and make decisions. Small business prioritization can bridge the political divide and address voters’ #1 concern: healing the economy.
The Vision
When small businesses succeed, we all succeed
Across the American business landscape — from urban Main Street shops to rural family farms and manufacturing, and every small business in between — one thing is clear: small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. They provide nearly half of all private sector jobs, drive local economic growth and community cohesion, and are trusted local leaders.
But American public policy is moving in the wrong direction, allowing complex regulations, aging infrastructure, inadequate workforce training, and big-business incentives to crush small businesses' ability to compete and grow.
Small Business First is a national voter-led movement calling on our elected leaders from all factions to put every policy decision to this test:
Does this policy help or hurt America’s small businesses?
This single question provides a practical framework for evaluating every major policy issue.
Whether the subject is healthcare, education, workforce development, tax policy, regulation, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, trade, immigration, or community development, the same principle applies. Public policy that adheres to the Small Business First principles can expand opportunity, encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen communities, and improve America's long-term, global competitiveness.
SBF Principles
A test for every policy decision
The Small Business First principles align with a core belief that has underpinned American democracy for 250 years: small business entrepreneurship strengthens our communities, our access to opportunity, and our freedom.
Affordable Healthcare Helps Small Businesses Hire
Affordable healthcare is an economic growth issue. When small businesses can provide quality, affordable health insurance, businesses can start and hire, and labor mobility increases.
Access to Affordable Capital Fuels Small Business Growth
Expanding responsible access to affordable financing enables small business entrepreneurs to innovate, hire, modernize, and compete.
Education Creates America’s Competitive Advantage
Quality K-12 education, higher education, apprenticeships, and continuing education prepare individuals for meaningful careers and create a strong workforce.
Tax and Regulatory Certainty Encourages Business Investment
Stable tax policy, smart regulation, and predictable government decision-making encourage long-term planning, innovation, and business expansion.
Trade Expands American Competitiveness
Trade creates larger markets for American businesses. A balanced trade strategy enhances both economic opportunity and national security.
Artificial Intelligence Can Level the Playing Field
Artificial intelligence can drive business productivity and innovation with the right guardrails. America should ensure that small businesses benefit from this new era of innovation.
Strong Infrastructure Underpins Economic Growth
New infrastructure should be built for innovation, cybersecurity, and disaster resilience so that small businesses have reliable transportation, energy, water systems, and digital infrastructure.
Clean Air & Clean Water Are Necessary for Prosperity
Clean air and clean water must be proactively protected to ensure the legacy of sustainable agriculture and outdoor recreation that many small businesses depend on.
Small Businesses Create Lasting Prosperity
Communities with thriving small businesses are places where families live and thrive, build neighborly relationships, and put down roots. It’s time for small businesses to lead.
News
Small business champions, in the headlines
We elevate local, regional, and national news stories, and SBF partners pen original op-eds nationally, to emphasize the importance of small business success and opportunities for elected leaders to create policies that spur growth. Subscribe to our Small Business First newsletter to receive news by email.
Take Action
Three ways to join the movement
There are three ways to get involved and join the Small Business First movement.
Display the Sign
Download and print a free “Small Business First” poster to place in your storefront window or table at a local event. This helps generate interest in our movement!
Join our Volunteer Communications Team
Want to write a letter to the editor or a media piece about small businesses? Join our free monthly trainings led by experienced volunteer writers for ideas, training, and co-working. We’ll elevate your publication!
Join the teamSubscribe to our Newsletter
Stay informed and keep in touch with us. Our weekly newsletter will keep you updated on the Small Business First movement.
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Our Team
Small Business First is a volunteer-led civic movement to elevate small business stories and influence elected officials to make small business success a national economic priority.
Vicki Johnson, PhD
Author, concerned citizen, and owner of the Oregon-based small business, ProFellow
Dan Varroney
Economic strategist, founder and CEO of Potomac Core, and author of “Rethinking Economic Growth”
Volunteer Team
40+ socially conscious leaders from coast-to-coast contribute to our platform