Did You Know? The fastest-growing segment of the business world in North America is small business. More new businesses are starting up now than in the previous fourteen years. Statistics indicate that the recent economic recession has actually spurred more start-ups! "What really drives the U.S. economy? No, it is not war. Small business drives the U.S. economy by providing jobs for over half of the nation's private workforce.“ Robert Longley – US Government Info writer for About.com/The New York Times

Small Business, Big impact! Importance of Small Business The 23 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales. Small firms represent 99.7% of all employer firms. Small businesses provide 55% of all jobs and 66% of all NET new jobs since the 1970s. Approx. 60,000 small businesses are started in the US each year. The number of small businesses in the US has increased 49% since And since 1990, as big business eliminated 4 million jobs, small businesses added 8 million new jobs. The smallest firms (fewer than 20 employees) spend 36% more per employee than larger firms to comply with federal regulations. Small businesses are 52% home-based and 2% franchises.

The New “Entrepreneur” Demographic Trends Almost 11 million US businesses are currently owned by women; according to the Census Bureau, that’s 48% of all US businesses. It is predicted that by 2025, that number will rise to 55% There’s also been a strong uptick of small business owners in the US amongst visible minorities (African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Native American, and Veterans) Self-employment is rising the fastest amongst young Americans (age 15-24) and older Americans (age 55+). Young entrepreneurs are inspired by tech industry as the internet will increasingly shape the decision to become self-employed. And “seniorpreneurs” currently account for a record high one-in-four self-employed individuals in the US, and constitute more than 30% of the total workforce over the age of 55. Almost 60% of all small business owners in the US consider themselves as “lifestylers” that use their business as a means of generating income, while balancing other commitments or lifestyle choices. Demographic forces in general and the aging baby boom in particular, will support small business activity in the coming decade. The latest economic news and surveys show that the small business economy is finally recovering from the Great Recession.

Tools We Provide Running a small business can be one of the hardest things someone might ever do in life. Time can slip by so quickly when they’re busy looking after “the bottom line.” Entrepreneurs are often underprepared for the long hours, financial investment, busy schedules, and stress that comes with running a small business. But with good management and thoughtful preparations, your new business can be a smashing success as well as an enjoyable experience. Our products are designed to save small business owners time and money!

101 for Small Business Series A dozen titles – Business 101 is a series of easy- to-understand guides for small-business owners covering such topics as: – Starting a business – Bookkeeping – Analyzing and tracking financial info – HR management – Pricing products and services – Growing a business – Exit Strategies

Start & Run Series 32 titles written for the entrepreneur with a specific business in mind. All books are written by successful entrepreneur-authors who have "been there and done that," and are experts in their field. The books guide readers every step of the way, from researching, to launching, and even to the expansion of their new business. Books in the Start & Run series come with a CD-ROM filled with forms that may include such examples as: – Sample business plan – Templates – Checklists – Comprehensive business resources for that industry