Small Business

Small Business Definition

From SBA's "Am I A Small Business?":
The SBA, for most industries, defines a "small business" either in terms of the average number of employees over the past 12 months, or average annual receipts over the past three years. In addition, SBA defines a U.S. small business as a concern that:

Is organized for profit
Has a place of business in the US
Operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor
Is independently owned and operated
Is not dominant in its field on a national basis

The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form. In determining what constitutes a small business, the definition will vary to reflect industry differences, such as size standards.

Small Business Statistics

See more on stats and economic data on the Chamberpedia page for Business Reference Resources.

15 Statistics Every Business Owner Needs to Be Well Aware Of - Overview of small business stats that every business owner can incorporate into business planning, strategic planning, capital and funding start-ups, loan data, and more. From Comcast Business (May 2017)
Small business stats from the Missouri Business Development Program - Informative outline of stats gathered by NewGround Publications, the Small Business Administration, Federal Reserve, Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index, and U.S. Census.
General Business Statistics from the SBA
Research and Statistics from the SBA
Data on Small Businesses from the U.S. Census
What Are The Real Small Business Survival Rates? - By Ryan Jorden, LinkedIn Pulse (9/15/14) provides analysis on the data for better understanding on the small business success rate.

Small Business Toolkits

Forbes Small Business Toolkit
IBM Small Business Toolkit
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Starting a Business Toolkit
Small Business Nation Toolkits - Resources and toolkits created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help launch a business.

Small Business Saturday Resources

See the Small Business Saturday Chamberpedia page for more information.

General Small Business Resources

See ACCE's Buy Local Initiatives Chamberpedia page for related programs.
America's Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) America’s SBDC represents America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – a comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories.
Financial Literacy by Annuity.org - This guide on financial literacy covers topics like setting a budget, how to use credit responsibly, planning for retirement and much more to benefit consumers of all ages.
IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
SCORE - SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. SCORE's work is supported by the SBA, and with a network of 11,000+ volunteers, they are able to deliver services at no charge or at very low cost.

Great resources on Marketing, Financial Basics, Running a Business-including Business Plans, and Startup assistance.
See Tools and Templates to download.
The Ionia Chamber (MI) offers SCORE services through their Business Resources.

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council - Provides advocacy, research, and resources for small businesses and entrpreneurs.
Small Business-Friendly Cities - Thumbtack.com (an online marketplace for local service providers) partnered with the Kauffman Foundation to survey small business owners in metro regions about the overall business friendless of their cities. Questions ranged from hiring costs to regulatory burden to quality of business networking programs. Oklahoma City was far and away the leader, they came in first in nearly every category.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - SBA has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Use SBA for their wealth of resources.

How to Start a Business from SBA - The resources in this section will help you learn about what it takes to start a business.
Local Assistance and SCORE Chapters
SBA Business Tools

Get Help Creating a Business Plan

SBA Learning Center - Offers free online courses.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Nation - Offers toolkits, resources, plans and research resources like the Small Business Guide to Market Research and the Small Business Index with small business sector confidence and outlook.
Write a Business Plan and Start a Business: Tools, Techniques and Resources - Guide from Discover Business (May 2015)

Articles

Engaging Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners - by Regina Bergman, CEO, Bridgeport Strategy (Chamber TEXECUTIVE MONTHLY, July 2017), with tips for getting small business owners to value chamber membership and chamber activities.
Countdown to 2016: Hot Small Business Trends for the Coming Year Article by Rieva Lesonsky in AllBusiness, Series sponsored by Microsoft
Small Businesses in the U.S. on the Rise, Reversing Six-Year Downward Trend - Kauffman Foundation releases 'Main Street Entrepreneurship Index,' the first in-depth analysis of small business activity in America. (12/3/2015)
30 Terrific Tools for Small Businesses - Forbes magazine (May 2013)
Using the Chamber of Commerce to Help Grow Your Home-Based Business - The Self Employed (January 2013)
See Chamber Executive Magazine Article Archive search on Small Business Development.

Small Business Samples

Small Business Program Ideas - This document contains a list of 21 successful small business programs and seminars held by the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce (Maine).
The Lake Havasu Area Chamber (Ariz.) was a 2014 Chamber of the Year finalist for its "Bridge to Business" Initiative to help their small business members. In order to "bridge the gap" between limited resources and traditional marketing strategies, the chamber offers a monthly Business Solutions Luncheon; Business Booster Lunch events; and Operation Appreciation and Recruit.
North Myrtle Beach Chamber's (S.C.) "The Power of Buying Local" Event Flyer and News Release - International business speaker, expert, and retail consultant Barbara Wold speaks on the vital topic of encouraging shoppers to shop local this holiday season.
9 Reasons to Shop Locally - Infographic from Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce (S.D.) presents nine reasons to shop locally.
See all Small Business Development examples in ACCE's Samples Library
See all Buy Local Initiatives examples in ACCE's Samples Library

Chamber Small Business Resources and Services

See also PROPEL Programs at Chambers
Asheville Area Chamber (N.C.) - Venture Asheville Small Business Resources Toolbox and Tools for Business

Startup Resources and Business Development

Ashland Chamber of Commerce (Ore.) - Business Resource Center includes links to Educational Workshops, Economic Dashboard, Growing a Business, and Sustainable Business Practices.
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce (Idaho) - Small Business services
Broomfield Chamber of Commerce (Colo.) - Small Business Development
Burbank Chamber of Commerce (Calif.) - For Small Business
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (Ill.) offers business development programs and access to a network of business leaders, companies, and resources.

Business Assistance Center (BAC) Program at the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (Texas) was launched as a micro-enterprise assistance program funded in part by the City of Dallas through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant. The Business Assistance Center provide free services and classes to qualifying City of Dallas residents who are interested in starting or expanding a micro-enterprise.
Georgia Chamber's (Ga.) - Small Business Advisory Committee
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (Pa.) - Small Business Council
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (N.C.) - Small Business Resource Guide
Greater Spokane Incorporated's (Wash.) BIZStreet initiative includes a small business toolbox and resources, events, and advocates for policies that support small businesses.
Greenville Chamber of Commerce (S.C.) - Small Business
Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce (Texas) - Small Business Resources

Small Business Hiring

Welcome Aboard! A Guide to Small Business Hiring - American Express OPEN Forum

Convention & Seminar Resources

Segmenting the Small Business Market, presentation by Steve Millard, CCE, President and Executive Director, COSE, from the ACCE 2014 Annual Convention

Videos, Webinars & ACCE U Resources

Impacting Small Business - Gaining Their Support - ACCE University Webinar (free). Webinar Handouts:

Small Business Services - Presentation Handout (1 of 2), presented by Mark Peachey, Vice President, Business Growth and International Affairs, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (Ky.).
Small Business Services - Presentation Handout (2 of 2), presented by Doug Minter, Business Development Manager, Knoxville Chamber (Tenn.).