Learning objective: Identify the key issues that impact small

business owners.

}  Small business Saturday

}  Employ half of all private sector employees. }  Pay 43 percent of total U.S. private payroll. }  Generated 65 percent of net new jobs over

past 17 years. }  Hire 43 percent of high-tech workers. }  Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent

franchise. }  Produced 31 percent of export value in FY

2008.

}  Source: U.S. Small Business Administration

}  Independent businesses with fewer than 500 employees

}  Neighbors who consume local goods }  Franchise owners, retailers, manufacturers,

inventors, professionals, tradespeople, farmers

}  Financing }  Employee wages and benefits }  Finding/retaining employees }  Workforce development/employee training }  Identifying market/customers }  Taxes }  Laws/regulations

}  Liability insurance }  Mergers }  Longevity }  Work-life balance

}  Melony Shemberger, Murray State University }  Eric Wilson, Wichita State University }  Nerissa Young, Ohio University