During the course of a year a number of people will come to me to talk about a new business proposition. Maybe they want to go into business for themselves for the first time or maybe they want to expand their existing business interests.
It always interests me to hear about their plans and to assist them where I can. Invariably we are talking about small business.
Small business is really the backbone of our economy. It very rarely attracts the media profile of the corporate heavies but it is very important. All small business people throughout our country make a huge contribution to the benefit everyone.
I know that statistics can be pretty dry but in the quest to understand the importance of small business to Australia here are a few facts which will help to put small business into perspective.
There are 2.1 million small businesses in Australia, about 90% by number of all businesses in the country
They employ just under 5.0 million workers or 44% of the country’s workforce
They generate around 40% of the new jobs in Australia
Small business generates about one third of our national GDP
So by all of the measures small business collectively is a big deal in the economy.
Being in business is risky and not every one’s cup of tea. Business can be unpredictable and has its ups and downs. Income/sales will vary in the short term and expenses are very difficult to control at times but each of these components are critical to the bottom line profit which after all is what is left over for the owner of the business to live on.
It takes a particular type of person to be a small business person. To me small business people are kind of special. They are able to tough out the ups and downs which invariably occur. They are imaginative and entrepreneurial and above all passionate about their business and being in business.
Being able to assist this 2.1 million strong small business community is very rewarding and a great reason for me to “get out of bed” and come to work each day.
Go small business!

~ Ian Sharpe