What Companies Can Learn From the Resiliency of Small Business

Key Points:

  • Small businesses make up 4.3M of 8.0M establishments in the US and have 1 to four employees.
  • Nearly one-third (31 percent) of small businesses in the US are currently not operational.
  • 43.9% of businesses reported that covid had a moderate negative effect on business.

Uncertainty majorly impacts small business operations. The pandemic brought uncertainty to extremes. First, businesses determined how to operate with employers remotely working, or how to sell their goods with little to no contact with the public. The major supply chain issues disrupted the flow of goods when demand was increasing. Small businesses had to pivot, find alternative sources, or remove goods from offer completely. Finally, labor shortages and the great resignation led to a shift in the workforce and employee expectations. Zaid Rahman, Founder & CEO at Flexbase noted that “In covid, these white-collar companies, Wall Street Companies, did well. Whereas small businesses, such as Main Street did poorly. They did so poorly that they are coming off of two years of the pandemic much more resilient and stronger than ever before.”

In 2019, small businesses with one-four employees accounted for 4.3M of 8.0M establishments in the US (US Census). Oberlo reported nearly one-third (31 percent) of small businesses in the US are currently not operational. But the businesses that have survived the hardships of the pandemic are some of the most resilient.

The Small Business Pulse Survey from the US Census collected sentiment on four indexes between 2020-2022. Regarding the pandemic, business owners reported on Overall Sentiment, Operational Challenges, Financial Stress, and Expected Recovery across a range of industries. Of the responses, 43.9% reported that covid had a moderate negative effect on business.

Since small businesses are more nimble than large, fortune-500 counterparts, they thrive when they harness flexibility. “I think that these companies have already seen the worst that could happen,” said Rahman. Risks will always be a part of operating a small business. 20% of small businesses that start fail within the first year (US Census). The operations that have endured the abrupt changes from covid are more ready to mitigate and address future risks.

Action Items

To remain resilient small businesses should have plans in place for future disasters. Consider holes and weak links in operations and create a plan for large disasters. Preparation will help the business address monumental changes or natural disasters. The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants recommends keeping up with cybersecurity and tech changes, offering hybrid or remote work to employees, and becoming strategic in cashflow ideas for ‘what-if’ situations. The businesses that survived the pandemic are a great example of these characteristics. “Now they’re [the small businesses] in a much better place to capitalize on the significant demand that consumers are showing post-pandemic,” said Rahman.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More
ham radios
Hamvention 2025: ICOM Ham Radios Inspire Beginners and Veteran Operators Alike
July 9, 2025

Dayton Hamvention 2025 drew amateur radio hobbyists of all experience levels who shared stories and personal milestones. ICOM ham radios took center stage in many of these testimonials, featuring longtime fans to new licensees discovering the hobby through family and school. Attendees praised the reliability, sound quality, and ease of use of models like…

Read More