With all the political rhetoric out there regarding government regulations, you’d think it’d be No. 1 on small business owners’ list of problems right now. But it’s not.
The American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority conducted the survey, Small Business Owners’ Opinions on Regulations and Job Creation.
The groups asked: What is the most important problem right now for your small business?
- Weak customer demand: 34%
- Cost of health coverage and other benefits: 15%
- Level of government regulation: 14%
- Competition from larger companies: 10%.
(No other responses got more than 6%.)
Another question: What would do the most to create jobs?
- Eliminate incentives for employers to move jobs overseas: 24%
- Cut taxes: 14%
- Increase consumer purchasing power: 13%
- Improve infrastructure like roads, bridges and water systems: 12%
- Reduce regulation: 10%.
When asked whether their small business could live with some regulation if it is fair, manageable and reasonable, 93% said they could. And 78% said some regulations are important to protect small businesses from unfair competition and to level the playing field with big business.
“Despite the heated rhetoric, regulations simply aren’t small businesses’ top concern,” said John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. “Policymakers should listen to what real small businesses are saying and act accordingly.”
You can download a PDF of the survey here.
Do you agree with what small business owners said in this survey about regulations? Let us know what you think in the comments box below.
