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Identifying idiosyncrasies in small firm data: Understanding what’s behind the data driving small firm policy
What is an “employer” firm? Consider the following scenario: A tutoring business opens in late 2022, staffed only by the owner. In early 2023, after several months building a client list, she brings on a handful of college students to take on additional clients on a contract basis. In April 2024, the owner hires her first full-time, W2 employee. This person departs in early 2025, and she begins looking for a replacement. In May 2025, she hires another W2 employee. In
Tracy Cole
5 days ago
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, 2025
Introducing the Small Firm Diaries USA
The Financial Access Initiative started conducting in-depth, diaries-style analyses on small firms in 2021, with studies in 7 countries....
Tracy Cole
Aug 27, 2025
A New Framework for Understanding Small Firms
We launched the Small Firm Diaries because after decades of work trying to help microenterprises to grow into small firms, there was...
Small Firm Diaries Team
Sep 9, 2024
Are Small Firm Jobs Good Jobs?
To mark International Workers Day, we’re sharing findings and data we collected about employment and jobs in the Small Firm Diaries.
Small Firm Diaries Team
May 1, 2024
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