Thankful for Small Businesses!

When you open up your newsfeed, what do you see? Chances are, you will find news stories popping up about high-profile CEOs and trending stories about large companies. It sometimes seems like those companies are the only ones that matter, but that is simply not true. In fact, small businesses make up the backbone – and the heart – of America!

Here at UYB, we are so thankful for the entrepreneurs that build these businesses – and here’s why!

Small Businesses Are Growing!

Currently, there are over 30 million small businesses in America. That is a huge number – almost too large to visualize. To put this another way, small businesses make up 99.9% of all businesses in America.

Large companies may get the most publicity, but small businesses make the difference.

These businesses provide much-needed services, ranging from law and medical offices to restaurants, graphic design, retail stores, and much more. Think about it – when you get lunch from a food truck or local cafe, stop in at a neighborhood bookstore, or email your attorney, you are working with a small business. These businesses reach far beyond this point though – many are also completely online.

As a small business owner, your services and products aren’t the only things making a difference. You are! In America alone, small businesses employ close to 60 million people; this includes almost half the work force. As you grow, you are creating jobs, helping your team members grow, and expanding your influence.

Do you realize what an incredible opportunity this is?

However, it’s also an incredible responsibility!

When you are starting and growing your business, it can feel like you are all alone. Running a company takes dedication, time, and sacrifice, as well as a lot of creativity. It takes organization and planning, leadership, and the willingness to pivot when needed.

This is a lot to keep track of, and you need the right team, systems, and support to help you do it. This is where we can help you!

Making an Impact Through Your Business

You make even more of an impact, though. In addition to creating jobs and contributing significantly to the global economy, small business owners are leading the way in changing how people think about their work.

Right now, our society is making a shift toward finding purpose in our work and creating balance in our lives. In a 2019 survey, a majority of business owners indicated that their main purpose for starting their business was to be their own boss and pursue their passions.

Gone (or going quickly) are the days of punching in for your 9 to 5 and slogging through the day, simply to make a paycheck. Business owners, employees, and contractors are coming to the realization that they can make a difference and find real purpose in their work.

In addition, about 75% of business owners donate a portion of their profits to charitable organizations. With over 30 million small businesses just in America, this adds up quickly! Partnering with various charities and causes allows you to do what you do best while still supporting what is truly important to you – and helping to make the world a better place.

There are a lot of ways to do this. Some companies donate a portion of their profits, while others may encourage their teams to volunteer with or donate to local organizations. At UYB, we set aside $50 for each person on our team to donate through Kiva. This allowed each of our team members the opportunity to help a small business owner support their family, grow their business, and reach their dream!

By operating a small business, you are helping to make this happen – yet another reason that here at UYB, we are thankful for you!

And to show our gratitude, we have a special surprise next week in honor of Small Business Saturday…keep an eye on your email and social media for more details!