Survey Results

Page: Your business

1. Do you own, whole or partially, a business?
	answered question		911
	skipped question		7
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		96.3%	877
No		3.7%	34

2. If you are located in the U.S., please select the state in which your business is located. If you are not located in the U.S., please select "Not in U.S."
	answered question		897
	skipped question		21
		Response Percent	Response Count
Not in U.S.		14.8%	133
Alabama		0.1%	1
Alaska		0.0%	0
American Samoa		0.0%	0
Arizona		1.4%	13
Arkansas		0.2%	2
California		8.6%	77
Colorado		1.8%	16
Connecticut		0.4%	4
Delaware		0.1%	1
District of Columbia		0.3%	3
Florida		2.1%	19
Georgia		1.1%	10
Guam		0.0%	0
Hawaii		0.3%	3
Idaho		0.0%	0
Illinois		1.2%	11
Indiana		0.6%	5
Iowa		0.2%	2
Kansas		0.2%	2
Kentucky		0.4%	4
Louisiana		0.1%	1
Maine		0.4%	4
Maryland		0.8%	7
Massachusetts		0.7%	6
Michigan		0.8%	7
Minnesota		0.9%	8
Mississippi		0.0%	0
Missouri		0.9%	8
Montana		0.0%	0
Nebraska		0.1%	1
Nevada		0.4%	4
New Hampshire		0.1%	1
New Jersey		0.9%	8
New Mexico		0.2%	2
New York		2.0%	18
North Carolina		0.9%	8
North Dakota		0.0%	0
Northern Marianas Islands		0.0%	0
Ohio		0.6%	5
Oklahoma		0.1%	1
Oregon		6.6%	59
Pennsylvania		0.9%	8
Puerto Rico		0.0%	0
Rhode Island		0.1%	1
South Carolina		0.8%	7
South Dakota		0.0%	0
Tennessee		0.6%	5
Texas		3.7%	33
Utah		0.4%	4
Vermont		0.0%	0
Virginia		0.6%	5
Virgin Islands		0.0%	0
Washington		41.6%	373
West Virginia		0.0%	0
Wisconsin		0.6%	5
Wyoming		0.2%	2

3. In what year was the business formally registered with the appropriate government agency? If not formally registered, check “Not Registered”.
	answered question		905
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
Not Registered		16.6%	150
2009		11.5%	104
2008		10.7%	97
2007		11.7%	106
2006		6.5%	59
2005		6.9%	62
2004		5.6%	51
2003		4.5%	41
2002		2.8%	25
2001		2.7%	24
2000		1.9%	17
1999		2.1%	19
1998 or prior		16.6%	150

4. What is your firm’s or organization’s primary line of business?
	answered question		909
	skipped question		9
		Response Percent	Response Count
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing		0.3%	3
Customer or consumer service		6.3%	57
Construction		1.2%	11
Business consulting or service		29.9%	272
Manufacturing		1.4%	13
Mining		0.0%	0
Restaurant, tavern, bar or nightclub		0.9%	8
Retail Trade		4.0%	36
Finance, insurance		1.7%	15
Real estate		3.3%	30
Wholesale trade or districution (Durable and Non-Durable Trade Goods)		0.8%	7
Health, education or social service		10.0%	91
Transportation		0.3%	3
DON'T KNOW		0.6%	5
Other (please specify)		39.4%	358

5. How many businesses have you started prior to the current one?
	answered question		907
	skipped question		11
		Response Percent	Response Count
None		53.7%	487
1		24.4%	221
2		13.6%	123
3 or more		8.4%	76

6. Before starting your business, how many years of work experience did you have in this line of business?
	answered question		903
	skipped question		15
		Response Percent	Response Count
No experience		14.3%	129
Less than one year		9.5%	86
1 to 3 years		16.1%	145
Over 3 years		60.1%	543

7. How many partners/co-founders do you have in your business?
	answered question		900
	skipped question		18
		Response Percent	Response Count
None		66.9%	602
1		23.1%	208
2		7.2%	65
3		1.1%	10
4 or more		1.7%	15

8. Please check all of the appropriate descriptions for your partners/co-founders.
	answered question		383
	skipped question		535
		Response Percent	Response Count
Spouse/partner		49.6%	190
Relative		9.4%	36
Friend or acquaintance from work		12.3%	47
Friend or acquaintance outside of work		12.5%	48
Stranger before starting the business		6.8%	26
Other (please specify)		20.4%	78

9. What is the single most important reason for starting your own business?
	answered question		906
	skipped question		12
		Response Percent	Response Count
I wanted to take advantage of a business opportunity		10.0%	91
I could not find employment with someone else		4.6%	42
I did not want to work for someone else		24.6%	223
I wanted more status		0.1%	1
I wanted to do something I enjoy		32.6%	295
I wanted to build a company		10.0%	91
I wanted to make more money		6.0%	54
I wanted flexibility in time		11.4%	103
My family/friends wanted me to		0.4%	4
DON’T KNOW		0.2%	2

10. Which of the following was the single most important factor when selecting the current business?
	answered question		905
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
Research and analysis of the opportunity		9.1%	82
Existing customer base		4.6%	42
Personal interest and values		52.7%	477
Previous experience		28.6%	259
Existing contacts		4.0%	36
Available employees		0.3%	3
DON’T KNOW		0.7%	6

11. To what extent does your current business vary from what you intended when you started the business?
	answered question		901
	skipped question		17
		Response Percent	Response Count
Completely different product/service		2.9%	26
Significant variation in product/service		12.7%	114
Slight variation in product/service		50.1%	451
No variation		34.4%	310

12. A business plan usually outlines the markets to be served, the products or services to be provided, the resources required -- including money -- and the expected growth and profit for the new business. Which of following best describes your business plan?
	answered question		905
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
I/we did not prepare a business plan prior to starting my business and do not intend to prepare one.		29.2%	264
I/we did not prepare a business plan prior to starting my business but intend to prepare one.		26.5%	240
I/we prepared a business plan prior to starting my business.		28.8%	261
I/we prepared a business plan after starting my business.		15.5%	140

13. Are you currently employed by someone else, at least part time?
	answered question		908
	skipped question		10
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		25.6%	232
No		74.4%	676

Page: Working for someone else

1. Please select all of the reasons you are now working for someone else.
	answered question		229
	skipped question		689
		Response Percent	Response Count
To supplement income generated by my business		85.6%	196
Health care		26.2%	60
Development of skills		14.8%	34
Networking opportunities		25.3%	58
Other (please specify)		17.0%	39

Page: Working for someone else

1. If you were to begin working for someone else, which would be the most likely reason for doing so?
	answered question		658
	skipped question		260
		Response Percent	Response Count
To supplement income generated by my business		51.5%	339
Health care		13.8%	91
Development of skills		8.1%	53
Networking opportunities		7.9%	52
Other (please specify)		18.7%	123

Page: Operating your business

1. In what year was the first revenue generated from your business’s sale of products or services? If you have not yet generated revenue, please select, “No Revenue” below.
	answered question		759
	skipped question		159
		Response Percent	Response Count
No Revenue		12.6%	96
2009		10.7%	81
2008		14.4%	109
2007		9.7%	74
2006		7.1%	54
2005		5.8%	44
2004		5.8%	44
2003		4.2%	32
2002		3.6%	27
2001		2.9%	22
2000		2.2%	17
1999		3.0%	23
1998 or prior		17.9%	136

2. Has monthly revenue ever exceeded monthly expenses for this new business?
	answered question		751
	skipped question		167
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		69.8%	524
No		26.2%	197
DON'T KNOW		4.0%	30

3. What was your revenue for the first two quarters (combined) of 2009? If you have not yet generated revenue, please select, “No Revenue” below.
	answered question		717
	skipped question		201
		Response Percent	Response Count
No Revenue		34.9%	250
Revenue in US dollars		65.1%	467

4. What do you expect your annual revenue to be in five years?
	answered question		745
	skipped question		173
		Response Percent	Response Count
DON’T KNOW		50.2%	374
Expected revenue (in U.S. dollars)		49.8%	371

5. How many full time employees do you have that are employed to work 40 hours or more per week?
	answered question		749
	skipped question		169
		Response Percent	Response Count
No Employees		88.0%	659
Number of Full-time Employees		12.0%	90

6. How many part time employees do you have that are employed to work less than 40 hours per week?
	answered question		749
	skipped question		169
		Response Percent	Response Count
No Part-time Employees		77.0%	577
Number of Part-time Employees		23.0%	172

7. About how many hours per week do you personally work on this business?
	answered question		756
	skipped question		162
		Response Percent	Response Count
Less than 10 hours per week		7.7%	58
10 to 20 hours per week		19.6%	148
30 to 40 hours per week		26.6%	201
40 to 50 hours per week		20.0%	151
50 to 60 hours per week		15.9%	120
More than 60 hours per week		10.3%	78

8. During the last six months, did the total number of employees in your firm increase, decrease or stay the same?
	answered question		702
	skipped question		216
		Response Percent	Response Count
Increased		10.0%	70
Stay the same		79.5%	558
Decreased		5.1%	36
DON’T KNOW		5.4%	38

9. In the next six months, do you expect to increase or decrease the total number of people who work for you?
	answered question		727
	skipped question		191
		Response Percent	Response Count
Expect to increase		27.5%	200
Expect to stay the same		64.0%	465
Expect to decrease		0.7%	5
DON’T KNOW		7.8%	57

10. What are the prospects for your business over the next six months?
	answered question		751
	skipped question		167
		Response Percent	Response Count
Very good		32.4%	243
Good		37.5%	282
Just OK		19.8%	149
Poor		3.7%	28
Very poor		1.1%	8
DON’T KNOW		5.5%	41

11. What is the single most important factor that determines the prospects of your business?
	answered question		756
	skipped question		162
		Response Percent	Response Count
Sales		43.9%	332
Cost of supplies		0.5%	4
Business expenses (e.g., rent, utilities, marketing, distribution)		1.7%	13
Productivity (such as equipment and employees)		6.9%	52
Government Policies, such as regulations and taxes		1.9%	14
General economic climate		26.2%	198
DON’T KNOW		3.7%	28
Other (please specify)		15.2%	115

12. To what extent does technology used in production or delivery change in your industry?
	answered question		757
	skipped question		161
		Response Percent	Response Count
Frequently		49.7%	376
Occasionally		27.7%	210
Rarely or never		19.9%	151
DON’T KNOW		2.6%	20

13. To what extent can you predict demand and consumer preferences in your industry?
	answered question		752
	skipped question		166
		Response Percent	Response Count
Frequently		28.5%	214
Occasionally		50.7%	381
Rarely or never		15.2%	114
DON’T KNOW		5.7%	43

14. To what extent do products and services become obsolete in your industry?
	answered question		751
	skipped question		167
		Response Percent	Response Count
Frequently		13.7%	103
Occasionally		33.0%	248
Rarely or never		50.2%	377
DON’T KNOW		3.1%	23

15. To what extent do firms in your industry change their marketing practices?
	answered question		755
	skipped question		163
		Response Percent	Response Count
Frequently		22.9%	173
Occasionally		44.6%	337
Rarely or never		17.2%	130
DON’T KNOW		15.2%	115

16. In the past twelve months, what kind of resources and activities have you used to assist you in the operation of your business? Please select all that applies.
	answered question		757
	skipped question		161
		Response Percent	Response Count
Training from manufacturer of equipment		11.4%	86
Training from professional/trade organization		46.2%	350
Informal training and mentorship from others with more experience		58.4%	442
Management books		41.0%	310
Business education courses		24.0%	182
Websites and blogs		87.1%	659
Professional experts (e.g. lawyer, accountant, consultant)		46.9%	355
Networking with friends or other business owners		88.6%	671
Interacting with employees of the firm (including hired managers)		11.4%	86
External finance providers (e.g. angels, venture capitalists, banks)		6.9%	52
Experimentation activities (e.g. just trying things out and seeing if they work)		62.4%	472
Observing what other organizations and entrepreneurs do		71.5%	541
Interacting with cofounders		10.4%	79
Other (please specify)		5.0%	38

17. How frequently do you participate in seminars, industry/group group events and formal networking opportunities?
	answered question		751
	skipped question		167
		Response Percent	Response Count
Daily		1.6%	12
Weekly		20.6%	155
Monthly		37.4%	281
About every six months		21.2%	159
Yearly		5.3%	40
Less frequently than once a year		9.2%	69
Never		4.7%	35

18. Do you currently purchase multimedia (pictures, video or audio) from a third party?
	answered question		753
	skipped question		165
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		52.1%	392
No		47.9%	361

19. Which third party do you purchase your mulitmedia files from?
	answered question		637
	skipped question		281
		Response Percent	Response Count
I do not use photos, artwork, images, videos or music		13.3%	85
Flickr		5.5%	35
My Own		38.5%	245
Professional Photographer		19.8%	126
iStockphoto		51.0%	325
Shutterstock		3.5%	22
Fotolia		3.6%	23
Dreamstime		6.0%	38
Getty Images		12.9%	82
Stock.Xchng		8.0%	51
Other (please specify)		15.7%	100

20. Which best describes your use of photos, artwork, images, videos or music?
	answered question		737
	skipped question		181
		Response Percent	Response Count
I don't use photos, artwork, images, videos or music		11.7%	86
To help with your job or business		14.5%	107
To use on your blog, web page or social networking site		30.0%	221
For client use in ads, web site content or marketing brochures		43.8%	323

21. To the best of your knowledge, are there any legal ramifications for downloading images or videos without receiving permission from the image’s or video’s owner?
	answered question		740
	skipped question		178
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes, definitely		74.3%	550
Yes, probably		15.8%	117
No, probably not		1.8%	13
No, definitely not		3.0%	22
DON'T KNOW		5.1%	38

22. To what extent do you use social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate about your business or solicit leads?
	answered question		754
	skipped question		164
		Response Percent	Response Count
Daily		30.1%	227
Weekly		22.9%	173
Monthly		11.9%	90
Quarterly		3.2%	24
Two times per year		1.5%	11
Once per year		0.4%	3
Rarely or never		30.0%	226

23. How effective are social media tools in advancing your business?
	answered question		752
	skipped question		166
		Response Percent	Response Count
Very effective		16.0%	120
Somewhat effective		39.2%	295
Not effective		15.4%	116
DON'T KNOW		29.4%	221

24. Which of the following approaches best describes the way you market your business?
	answered question		755
	skipped question		163
		Response Percent	Response Count
Low cost provider		6.6%	50
Innovative products or services		16.8%	127
Quality of products or services		49.5%	374
Customer service		17.7%	134
DON’T KNOW		2.3%	17
Other (please specify)		7.0%	53

25. What is the single most important problem facing your business today?
	answered question		753
	skipped question		165
		Response Percent	Response Count
Weak Sales		46.2%	348
Taxes		3.7%	28
Employee quality or costs		2.3%	17
Insurance		1.9%	14
Big business competition		6.5%	49
Inflation and rising prices		2.5%	19
Credit availability or interest rates		4.9%	37
Regulations red tape		2.3%	17
NO PROBLEMS		5.8%	44
DON’T KNOW		2.9%	22
Other (please specify)		21.0%	158

26. When you do engage in planning activities, which type of activities do you find most valuable?
	answered question		749
	skipped question		169
		Response Percent	Response Count
Establishing a vision and/or mission for the organization		14.6%	109
Establishing clear and focused medium/long term goals for the organization		24.0%	180
Establishing clear and focused short term goals for the organization		28.4%	213
Establishing specific short term tasks for people in the organization		9.3%	70
Establishing a financial budget for the next operating period		2.8%	21
Establishing a broad set of guidelines for how the organization will move forward		8.4%	63
Engaging in a loose, unstructured discussion about options and possibilities		12.4%	93

27. How regularly do you engage in planning activities to map a path forward for your business?
	answered question		756
	skipped question		162
		Response Percent	Response Count
Monthly or more frequently		38.8%	293
Quarterly		20.8%	157
Two times per year		9.7%	73
Once per year		5.0%	38
Once every two years		0.3%	2
As needed		18.5%	140
Rarely or never		7.0%	53

28. What kind of impact do governmental policies, regulations and initiatives have on your business?
	answered question		746
	skipped question		172
		Response Percent	Response Count
Strong positive influence		2.7%	20
Somewhat positive influence		7.9%	59
Neither positive nor negative		30.8%	230
Somewhat negative influence		16.9%	126
Strong negative influence		5.9%	44
No influence		21.4%	160
DON’T KNOW		14.3%	107

29. Which best describes your current health care situation?
	answered question		753
	skipped question		165
		Response Percent	Response Count
Insured by my current company or self		38.9%	293
Insured by my employer for whom I work part-time		1.7%	13
Insured by my employer for whom I work full-time		7.7%	58
Cobra from previous employment		4.2%	32
Insured by my spouse’s employer		23.6%	178
Medicare/Medicaid		4.4%	33
Uninsured		19.4%	146

30. Which best describes your current views towards health care policy in the U.S.?
	answered question		751
	skipped question		167
		Response Percent	Response Count
No reform is needed.		2.7%	20
Reform is needed and should focus on changes in private insurance.		32.0%	240
Reform is needed and should focus on changes in public sources of healthcare.		52.5%	394
DON’T KNOW		12.9%	97

31. How satisfied are you with the performance of your business?
	answered question		756
	skipped question		162
		Response Percent	Response Count
Very satisfied		15.5%	117
Somewhat satisfied		44.2%	334
Neither		9.9%	75
Somewhat dissatisfied		22.8%	172
Very dissatisfied		7.7%	58

32. How satisfied are you with the decision to pursue this business?
	answered question		752
	skipped question		166
		Response Percent	Response Count
Very satisfied		68.1%	512
Somewhat satisfied		22.9%	172
Neither		4.5%	34
Somewhat dissatisfied		4.4%	33
Very dissatisfied		0.1%	1

33. Which of the following two statements best describes your preference for the future size of your business?
	answered question		755
	skipped question		163
		Response Percent	Response Count
I want it to be as large as possible		18.1%	137
I want a size I can manage by myself or with a few employees		81.9%	618

34. What is the single biggest challenge to you personally as a business owner?
	answered question		754
	skipped question		164
		Response Percent	Response Count
Long hours		16.8%	127
Isolation		18.0%	136
Responsibility for employees		3.1%	23
Lack of health care and other benefits		12.1%	91
Reduced income		34.5%	260
Other (please specify)		15.5%	117

Page: Your thoughts on the start-up process

1. Please select the best description of your view towards expertise and experience, relative to passion and charisma.
	answered question		736
	skipped question		182
		Response Percent	Response Count
Expertise and experience are significantly more important than passion and charisma.		13.6%	100
Expertise and experience are slightly more important than passion and charisma.		32.3%	238
Neutral		20.0%	147
Expertise and experience are slightly less important than passion and charisma.		26.5%	195
Expertise and experience are significantly less important than passion and charisma.		6.5%	48
DON’T KNOW		1.1%	8

2. Please select the best description of your view towards decision-making.
	answered question		734
	skipped question		184
		Response Percent	Response Count
Analytical tools and techniques (including probabilities and projections) are significantly more important than intuition and gut feel.		8.0%	59
Analytical tools and techniques (including probabilities and projections) are slightly more important than intuition and gut feel.		24.9%	183
Neutral		27.5%	202
Analytical tools and techniques (including probabilities and projections) are slightly less important than intuition and gut feel.		27.2%	200
Analytical tools and techniques (including probabilities and projections) are significantly less important than intuition and gut feel.		9.7%	71
DON’T KNOW		2.6%	19

3. Please select the best description of your view towards strategy.
	answered question		736
	skipped question		182
		Response Percent	Response Count
A strategy that is focused, stable and relatively complete is significantly more effective than a strategy that is dynamic and responsive to change.		3.9%	29
A strategy that is focused, stable and relatively complete is slightly more effective than a strategy that is dynamic and responsive to change.		16.6%	122
Neutral		21.2%	156
A strategy that is focused, stable and relatively complete is slightly less effective than a strategy that is dynamic and responsive to change.		40.9%	301
A strategy that is focused, stable and relatively complete is significantly less effective than a strategy that is dynamic and responsive to change.		14.1%	104
DON’T KNOW		3.3%	24

4. Please select the best description of your view of starting a business.
	answered question		734
	skipped question		184
		Response Percent	Response Count
Having a concrete outcome in mind then assembling necessary resources is significantly more effective than assessing available resources then identifying the desired outcome.		34.2%	251
Having a concrete outcome in mind then assembling necessary resources is slightly more effective than assessing available resources then identifying the desired outcome.		21.9%	161
Neutral		21.1%	155
Having a concrete outcome in mind then assembling necessary resources is slightly less effective than assessing available resources then identifying the desired outcome.		9.9%	73
Having a concrete outcome in mind then assembling necessary resources is significantly less effective than assessing available resources then identifying the desired outcome.		5.9%	43
DON’T KNOW		6.9%	51

Page: YOU

1. Are you male or female?
	answered question		733
	skipped question		185
		Response Percent	Response Count
Male		41.2%	302
Female		58.8%	431

2. Which of the following best describes your race/ethnicity?
	answered question		733
	skipped question		185
		Response Percent	Response Count
Asian or Pacific Islander		2.9%	21
Black or African American		2.9%	21
Hispanic		2.7%	20
Caucasian		86.8%	636
Other (please specify)		4.8%	35

3. Which of the following best describes your age?
	answered question		735
	skipped question		183
		Response Percent	Response Count
25 or under		2.2%	16
26-30		5.6%	41
31-35		12.7%	93
36-40		13.6%	100
40-45		14.3%	105
46-50		13.2%	97
50-55		16.2%	119
56-60		14.6%	107
61-65		5.2%	38
66-60		0.8%	6
61 or over		1.8%	13

4. Which of the following best describes the highest level of formal education you have completed?
	answered question		735
	skipped question		183
		Response Percent	Response Count
Up to eighth grade		0.1%	1
Some high school		0.1%	1
High school degree		2.7%	20
Technical or vocational degree		4.6%	34
Some college		14.0%	103
Community college degree		4.4%	32
Bachelors degree		38.2%	281
Some graduate education		10.6%	78
Masters degree		21.2%	156
Law degree, MD, Ph.D., Ed.D.		3.9%	29

5. In your experience, what is the biggest myth about entrepreneurship?
	answered question	605
	skipped question	313
		Response Count
		605

6. Enter your email address for a chance to win a $500 Apple gift certificate.
	answered question	696
	skipped question	222
		Response Count
		696