During political campaigns, “small business growth” is a promise frequently thrown around by politicians to attract votes. The ability to start your own business and forge your version of the American dream is the cornerstone of free enterprise. However, in an economy too often focused on the big picture, discussion of small business tends to fall to the wayside.
Small business matters more than most people realize.
According to a report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 28.8 million small businesses in the United States. Amazingly, they account for 99.7% of all American businesses, which proves that they are an integral part of the American economy.
Along with the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and MetLife, the U.S. Chamber held its first Small Business Series in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday. The summit joined small business leaders from across the Dallas metropolitan area to offer tools and strategies that will strengthen their businesses so they can thrive in today’s economy. Speakers included business leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds, including former Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Drew Pearson.
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Drew Pearson speaks at the Small Business Series in Dallas.
Photo credit: Ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
MetLife and the Chamber share something important in common: helping small businesses succeed. That is central to who we are and what we do. So a lot can happen when our two organizations work together.
Sullivan also noted the importance of the Chamber’s mission to empower small businesses. He added that the majority of the businesses the Chamber represents have 100 or fewer employees. He later remarked, "Our mission at the U.S. Chamber is to make it impossible to ignore small business.”
The interests of small businesses are the interests of Americans. Not only do they build and strengthen local communities, but they also deliver a diversity of goods and services to the U.S. and global economies.
America would not be the same without them.
