03/29/2026
Today is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone—we hadn’t either. But it’s a good reminder to talk about something that matters: small businesses.
A “small business” typically means a company with fewer than 100 or 500 employees, depending on who’s defining it. By that measure, roughly 97% of all businesses qualify. They employ more than 60 million Americans and have created the majority of new jobs over the past three decades. There’s a good chance your neighbor—or you—works for one.
But small businesses don’t have it easy. About 20% fail in their first year. Nearly half are gone within five. The median annual revenue is just $78,000—and that’s revenue, not profit. They don’t get headlines. They don’t get bailouts. They don’t have lobbyists in Washington. When they fail, it’s personal—savings gone, homes at risk, dreams extinguished.
And yet they keep showing up—millions started each year in the United States.
Small businesses sponsor your kids’ teams. They donate to your fundraisers and golf tournaments. They hire your high school and college kids. They invest in the communities they live in—because they’re part of them.
You won’t see Amazon or Apple on the front of your child’s jersey. You’ll see a local name. A family name. Someone who took a risk and bet on your town. Mom and Pop, Inc.
So today—and any day—choose local when you can.
Need a new shirt? Visit a shop owned by someone in your town, not a big box. Going out to eat? Try a local restaurant instead of a chain. Looking for a gift? Skip the one-click order and walk into a small shop.
Because when you shop at a small business, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re supporting your community.
