Business Opportunities

Most business start-ups are very small. In a September 2005 report, 2003 Nonemployer Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau stated that in 2003 more than 18.6 million businesses were nonemployer businesses, meaning they had no paid employees. The leading sector for nonemployer businesses in 2003, with approximately 2.7 million, was "Other Services," which included those employed in machinery repair, administering religious activities, personal care services, death care services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services, and dating services. Closely following this sector, with 2.6 million businesses, was "Professional, Technical, and Scientific Services," including legal advice and representation, accounting and payroll services, architectural and engineering services, computer services, consulting services, research services, and veterinary services, among others. A 2003 analysis of 24.1 million full- and part-time business enterprises conducted by BizStats.com revealed that 57.9% had annual revenues of less than $25,000. (See Table 9.3.) The number of businesses reporting revenues of less than $25,000 was 67.6% among sole proprietorships, which is the largest category of small business owners.