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Entrepreneurship is often described as rewarding, but rarely easy. Business owners face rising costs, changing customer expectations, competitive pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty. Yet despite these challenges, new survey data suggests that most entrepreneurs remain remarkably optimistic about the path they chose.
According to the Small Business Expo Research Desk (n = 401), 96.8% of small business owners say they are at least somewhat likely to recommend entrepreneurship to someone starting their career today. More than two-thirds say they are either very likely or extremely likely to do so.
The findings suggest that while business ownership may come with challenges, many entrepreneurs continue to see it as a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit.
Highlights
- 96.8% would recommend entrepreneurship to someone starting their career today
- 67.4% are very or extremely likely to recommend entrepreneurship
- 54.1% say opportunities for small businesses are greater than they were a few years ago
- 31.4% say opportunities are about the same
- Only 14.4% say opportunities are fewer today
Business Owners Still Recommend Starting a Business
The most striking finding in the survey is the overwhelming support entrepreneurs have for entrepreneurship itself.
Nearly one-third of respondents (31.2%) say they are extremely likely to recommend entrepreneurship to someone beginning their career, while another 36.2% say they are very likely. An additional 29.4% say they are somewhat likely to recommend it.
Together, those responses paint a clear picture: most business owners believe entrepreneurship remains a viable and attractive career path. For many respondents, starting a business remains a worthwhile path despite the challenges that often come with entrepreneurship.
This aligns with broader research from Gallup showing that Americans continue to view small business ownership positively and associate entrepreneurship with opportunity, independence, and economic mobility.²
Just 3.2% of respondents say they would be unlikely or very unlikely to recommend entrepreneurship.
For a group that experiences the realities of business ownership firsthand, that level of support is notable.
Opportunity Still Exists for Small Businesses
The survey also explored how business owners view the current environment for small businesses.
A majority (54.1%) say opportunities for small businesses are greater than they were a few years ago. Another 31.4% believe opportunities are about the same.
Combined, more than 85% of respondents say opportunities have either improved or remained stable.
Only 14.4% believe opportunities are fewer today.
These results suggest that many entrepreneurs see favorable conditions for business creation and growth, even amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Why Owners Remain Optimistic
The relationship between these two findings is particularly interesting.
Business owners are not recommending entrepreneurship in a vacuum. Their optimism appears to be connected to how they view the broader business environment.
When more than half of respondents believe opportunities have increased, it helps explain why so many remain enthusiastic about entrepreneurship as a career path. While challenges certainly exist, many owners appear to believe there are still meaningful opportunities for innovation, growth, and business success.
The data suggests that entrepreneurs are weighing both the risks and the rewards—and concluding that the rewards remain compelling.
Optimism Doesn’t Mean Challenges Have Disappeared
The findings should not be interpreted as a sign that entrepreneurship has become easier.
Recent Small Business Expo Research Desk surveys have highlighted concerns ranging from long-term planning and investment hesitation to rising operating costs and competitive pressures. Small business owners continue to navigate a complex environment that demands adaptability and resilience.
For example, a recent Small Business Expo Research Desk survey found that most small business owners describe long-term business planning as difficult in today’s environment, underscoring the fact that optimism and uncertainty can coexist.¹ What makes the current findings notable is that optimism persists despite those challenges.
Rather than viewing obstacles as reasons to avoid entrepreneurship, many respondents appear to see them as part of the business landscape. The survey suggests that owners can acknowledge uncertainty while still believing that entrepreneurship offers meaningful opportunities.
What This Means for People Considering Starting a Business
For individuals considering entrepreneurship, the findings offer an encouraging perspective from those with firsthand experience.
Business owners understand the demands of running a company better than most. Their perspective is particularly valuable for anyone considering starting a business, since it comes from individuals who have firsthand experience navigating both the rewards and challenges of ownership.
Yet nearly all respondents say they would recommend entrepreneurship to someone just starting their career.
That does not mean success is guaranteed, nor does it eliminate the risks involved. However, it suggests that many entrepreneurs believe the potential benefits—whether financial independence, flexibility, personal fulfillment, or growth opportunities—continue to outweigh the challenges.
Final Takeaway
Despite economic uncertainty and the everyday realities of running a business, small business owners remain overwhelmingly positive about entrepreneurship.
Nearly 97% say they would recommend entrepreneurship to someone starting their career today, and most believe opportunities for small businesses have either improved or remained stable over the past few years. Together, these findings suggest that while the path may not be easy, many entrepreneurs still view business ownership as a worthwhile pursuit with meaningful potential for future success.
Footnotes
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Small Business Expo Research Desk. 79% of Small Businesses Report Difficulty Planning Long Term.
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/blog/small-business-long-term-planning/ -
Gallup. Entrepreneurship and Small Business in America.
https://news.gallup.com
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Related: Nearly 4 in 5 Small Businesses Say AI Is More Useful Than a Year Ago