Research

Main Streets May Soon Be Without a Bank

By Rohit Arora - May 21, 2013 - 3 Comments

Is the main street bank becoming a thing of the past? Over the last three years, banks have been steadily closing branches around the country. Many small communities are finding themselves without a bank branch for the first time since the Great Depression. U.S. banks and thrifts shut 2,267 … Read More

Stay Alive. It’s Good for Business

By Scott Shane - May 20, 2013 - 5 Comments

Entrepreneurs: here’s something to add to the list of things academics have found will enhance the performance of your business. Staying alive. In a bit of novel research coming out of the United Kingdom, Professors Sascha Becker of the University of Warwick and Hans Hvide of the University … Read More

Reality is Weighing on Small Business Optimism

By Scott Shane - May 13, 2013 - 4 Comments

Small business owners are an optimistic lot, with studies showing that they tend to have a rosier outlook than other people. Yet four years into the economic recovery, surveys show them in a relative funk. What gives? It’s pretty simply, really. Small business owners' relative pessimism … Read More

Housing Rebound Should Help Small Business

By Scott Shane - May 6, 2013 - 7 Comments

Housing prices are on the upswing, increasing 9.3 percent between February 2012 and February 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. That’s not just good news for America’s homeowners. It’s also welcome information to America’s small business owners. The drop in home prices … Read More

Is Virtual Work the Key to the Future of Women in Technology?

By Rieva Lesonsky - May 5, 2013 - 6 Comments

The lack of women entrepreneurs in the tech industry, and the shortage of female tech employees, have been topics of much discussion. Now a new survey from Elance, Women in Technology, suggests virtual work might be the key to women finally achieving parity with men in tech roles. The survey, … Read More

SBA: When Lending Declines, So Do Small Business Exports

By Joshua Sophy - Apr 9, 2013 - 1 Comment

A sharp decline in small business exports during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 caused researchers to wonder. Could there be a connection between lending and small business exports? The result is a report confirming just that. As lending declines, so do small business exports. A new … Read More

Survey: More Businesses Changing Hands in 2013

By Joshua Sophy - Apr 8, 2013 - 3 Comments

More businesses are changing hands this year than last, mainly due to more sellers and buyers in the market. However, valuations may be lower now, thanks to 2013 tax changes. According to a recent survey by business-for-sale marketplace BizBuySell of 169 of its broker members, about 75 percent … Read More

Business Owners Prefer Sick Employees to Computer Problems [Infographic]

By Joshua Sophy - Apr 2, 2013 - 3 Comments

[Click for full version] A recent survey has found that most small business owners would rather deal with sick employees calling off on Mondays than a laptop or some other device that's on the blink. Brother International Corp. just released the results of its annual Small Business Survey and … Read More

Small Business Lending Up for First Time in 10 Quarters

By Joshua Sophy - Mar 22, 2013 - 7 Comments

Small business owners received some good news this week as it was reported that lending to them has increased for the first time in 10 quarters. According to a report at Inc.com, the U.S. Small Business Administration released its quarterly report this week showing the loans to small … Read More

Current Entrepreneurship Statistics and Trends

By Scott Shane - Mar 4, 2013 - 10 Comments

The Business Administration recently released the 2012 Small Business Economy, its statistical report on small business. Because the report provides the latest available data on several key small business statistics, its publication provides me with an opportunity to update five charts that I have … Read More

5 Surprising Mobile Search Statistics and Facts

By Larry Kim - Feb 28, 2013 - 11 Comments

There's a revolution taking place - a mobile one. Today, everyone knows and understands that people continue to be more reliant on mobile devices for their immediate needs now more than ever. Mobile search is even expected to overtake desktop search in volume within the next year. It's … Read More

Small Businesses Currently Feel It’s All Going According to Plan

By Rieva Lesonsky - Feb 27, 2013 - 4 Comments

Are your plans for your small business working out the way you hoped? You’re not alone: U.S. small businesses are feeling cautiously optimistic about the rest of 2013, a new survey from TD Bank reports. The poll of over 500 small business owners finds that: Almost half (49 percent) are … Read More