University of Phoenix Survey: For Many, Small Business is Close to Home

Respondents say small businesses are vital to communities, quality of life and the economy

PHOENIX--()--It is Small Business Week, and for more than two-thirds (68 percent) of registered voters, small businesses are very important to their community, according to a Morning Consult survey conducted for University of Phoenix® School of Business. For many, it is even more personal: 57 percent of registered voters have a parent, immediate family member or close friend who has either previously owned or currently owns a small business.

“Today’s small business owners have many advantages in their ability to be agile, make quick decisions and pivot to stay close to customer needs,” said Ruth Veloria, executive dean for University of Phoenix School of Business. “Building close relationships and personal connections not only encourages a sense of community, but it promotes a high level of quality and customer service that people expect from small businesses.”

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.1 Small businesses currently employ 56.1 million of the nation's private workforce.2

“My experience and education helped me to become an empowered business owner who is confident in my entrepreneurial aspirations,” said Rebecca Scarberry, University of Phoenix Alumnae and owner of Becky’s Blissful Bakery. “Attaining a wide array of skills, including communication, management and leadership, afforded me the ability to make more informed decisions and better engage with potential business partners to help my business thrive.”

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are top of the list for health of the U.S. economy and communities

Additional survey findings include:

  • Eighty-nine percent of respondents say that small businesses improve the quality of life in their local community.
  • Many registered voters buy locally to support small businesses. In fact, 94 percent say they shop locally at least some of the time.
  • Sixty-eight percent say small businesses are very important to the health of the economy.
  • Fifty-three percent say entrepreneurs are very important to the health of the economy.

Methodology

A national sample of 1,992 registered U.S. voters completed this online survey, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of University of Phoenix School of Business, from March 2–6, 2017. The margin of error for the full sample was +/- 2 percent. For complete survey methodology, please contact melany.stroupe@apollo.edu.

About University of Phoenix® School of Business

University of Phoenix School of Business is a contemporary business school with the curriculum, faculty structure and ability to scale that reflect market needs. The School is committed to educating business leaders and leverages employer advisory boards in diverse sectors to help align curriculum with current business dynamics. Students are taught by faculty members who are often driving critical business decisions in their organizations, including hundreds in the c-suite. The School offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as non-degree programs, including certificates, individual courses and non-credit professional development. Doctoral programs are available through the School for Advanced Studies. To learn more about University of Phoenix School of Business programs, visit phoenix.edu/business.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S., as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.

1 https://www.sba.gov/nsbw/about
2 http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/econ/g12-susb.pdf

Contacts

University of Phoenix
Melany Stroupe, 602-557-8640
melany.stroupe@phoenix.edu

Release Summary

For more than two-thirds (68 percent) of registered voters, small businesses are very important to their community, according to a survey conducted for University of Phoenix School of Business.

Contacts

University of Phoenix
Melany Stroupe, 602-557-8640
melany.stroupe@phoenix.edu