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Why does SFD USA focus on small firms with 1-20 workers?
By Meghan Greene and Tracy Cole In our previous blog , we explained that the most common definition of a “small business” in the United States, especially at the national level, is those with less than 500 workers. Despite this, Small Firm Diaries USA focuses on businesses that we call “small firms” that have between 1 and 20 paid workers. So, why did we choose this? And why does this group warrant special attention? We know that the leap from zero to one paid worker is a big
Tracy Cole
6 days ago
Why Different Datasets Tell Different Stories: What This Means for Understanding Small Firms in the U.S.
The landscape for small firm data in the US Commensurate with their importance in the US economy, there are many data sources at the national, state, and local levels examining small firms. Whether you’re looking for data on jobs, new business creation, or startup survival, there are a number of places you can find information.* While more data is generally a good thing, it can be overwhelming to try to navigate the myriad datasets and statistics and make sense of the differ
Tracy Cole
Oct 27
Get to Know the Firms: A First Snapshot of Firm and Owner Characteristics
Since our launch of SFD USA in May 2025, we’ve recruited more than 80 firms into the study across our six research sites —Oakland,...
Tracy Cole
Oct 7
Understanding Small Firms: Complementing big data with financial diaries
Small firms with 1-20 workers make up the majority of employer firms in the US. But these businesses, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, are under-examined in existing research like large economic surveys. Here's why, and here's how the Small Firm Diaries proposes to help fill the gap.
Tracy Cole
Sep 4
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