SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new survey from Index by Pinger reveals that 67% of Americans have a small business, or do a side hustle or freelance work. And 75% of these respondents also work as an employee for another organization. The survey also revealed another 17% plan to start a business, side hustle or take on freelance work in the future.
“It’s really not surprising,” said Inc. Magazine small business columnist and best-selling author Steve Strauss. “The economy is one motivation for sure. But it’s also never been easier or more affordable to start a business or side hustle.”
The top reasons cited for starting their business, including side hustling and freelancing: 80% did it to increase their income, while 40% said they wanted to learn a new skill, and 30% said they wanted to be their own boss.
“This data shows that the American entrepreneur is alive and well, even in an uncertain world,” said Greg Woock, CEO of Pinger. “We have huge respect for anyone with the courage to choose their own path as a small business owner and we are committed to supporting them with innovative communication tools.”
About the Survey
The Small Business Insights Survey by Index by Pinger was conducted online between October 4 and 6, 2023, with responses from 1,085 adults aged 18 to 60 living in the U.S.
Additional Findings
- 62% say they work more than 20 hours a week on their microbusiness.
- 63% hope their small business, freelance work or side hustle will become their full-time or “real” job.
- Of the respondents who do not currently run a microbusiness, 49% said they would be willing to work hard at a side hustle “as long as I love the work.”
- When asked what advice they received about business, respondents’ answers ranged from the practical (“Be persistent.” “Charge what you’re worth.” “It’s all wishful thinking until you get paid.”) to the downright silly (“The best way to double your money is to fold it over and put it into your wallet.”).
About Index by Pinger
Index by Pinger is an all-in-one solution for managing customer communication with text messaging. Index helps small business owners communicate with their customers from the first touch to collecting reviews and booking follow-up business. With Index, all the communication tools needed to run and grow a business are accessible from a phone, tablet or desktop computer. For more small business advice, visit www.getindex.com.
About Pinger, Inc.
Pinger, Inc. started the communication app revolution in 2005 by enabling smartphones to send free texts. Today, Pinger apps power billions of conversations that connect consumers, solopreneurs, and small businesses. Pinger’s products—TextFree, Sideline and Index—have been downloaded over 160 million times and have sent and received more than 200 billion texts.
Pinger, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California, with remote staff throughout the United States and Europe.
Learn more about Pinger and its apps at www.pinger.com. Follow Index by Pinger on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Pinger, Index, Sideline, and TextFree are trademarks of Pinger, Inc.
