Small Business Biggest Problem

What is the biggest problem for small business. Some would say the cost of health insurance, others would say regulations,access to capital, taxation etc. I would contend the biggest problem for small business is our own apathy.


In a Pew survey in 2010 71% of respondents felt positive about small business. This was higher than any other people listed like doctors, and firefighters. There are about 27 million small businesses in the US and about 3.5 million in California.

So with these numbers and the respect we have from the public why aren’t we more effective in getting our views heard? I think the answer is pretty simple. Most of us do not make our voices heard.

In the Small Business California survey 59% of the respondents have never written to their representatives in government.

Now you may be saying to yourself’ I don’t have time and they don’t listen anyway” Well that becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. You don’t need to spend a lot of time. A half hour a month and we would make a major difference. I would contend we all have a half hour a month where we could write or call our representatives.

Let me cite two examples of where small business became proactive.

1. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act of the requirement to provide 1099s for all independent contractors. Small businesses rose up and got this repealed.

2. In SF a gross receipts tax was put on the ballot. This was supported by the Mayor , almost all the Supervisors, Labor, Nonprofits and a very large number of big businesses. The only opposition was small business.

Small business got involved and talked to their employees. They talked to their customers and they talked to their friends. We were outspent about 5 to 1. On election day small business won getting 55% of the vote.

You can make a difference and if you really want to change the business climate for small business you have to get involved.



Start by making sure you vote today if you haven’t already done so.



Scott Hauge

President

Small Business California

2311 Taraval Street

San Francisco, CA 94116

shauge@cal-insure.com

415-680-2188