Small Business Month: Celebrating the Leaders Who Keep America Running

The contractor who comes home each day covered in dirt. The baker who rises before the sun to knead dough. The salon owner who spends hours on their feet serving clients. Behind every thriving small business is a leader making hundreds of decisions every day—often in the middle of long hours of hard work—without recognition but almost always with risk.

Payroll depends on those decisions. Customers depend on the services the businesses provide. And team members depend on the leader’s direction. That’s why leading a small business well isn’t just a job. It’s a responsibility with real weight and impact.

News headlines often focus on massive corporations, and those companies do play a major role in the economy. But the truth is, small businesses carry enormous influence. They employ nearly half of the American workforce and power local economies across the country, creating jobs, developing future leaders, and strengthening communities, one customer at a time.

That’s why Ramsey Solutions’ founder and CEO Dave Ramsey often says small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and the leaders behind them are heroes.

That’s also why many organizations recognize May as Small Business Month. But what exactly does Small Business Month entail, and why does it matter so much? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Small Business Month?

Small Business Month is recognized nationwide every May to celebrate and honor the millions of entrepreneurs and business owners who power local economies.

Small businesses are generally defined as independently owned companies with fewer than 500 team members but up to 1,500 for some manufacturing and wholesale sectors.¹ Throughout the month, communities, chambers of commerce and organizations highlight the role small businesses play in job creation, innovation and community development.

They also honor the leaders who pour their hearts, energy and vision into building businesses that make a meaningful difference.

What and When Is Small Business Week?

Small Business Week began in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy established the week as a way to recognize the entrepreneurs who are building the businesses that keep the economy moving. The celebration usually takes place during the first week of May.

Originally administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Week has grown far beyond government programs. During Small Business Week and throughout the month, you’ll often see local celebrations like these:

• Small business sales and promotions
• Local marketplaces and pop-up markets
• Small Business of the Year awards hosted by local chambers of commerce
• Networking events, workshops and community spotlights

But for most business leaders, the greatest win isn’t an award or event. It’s seeing their teams succeed and their customers served well and, yes, making money (what we call earning certificates of appreciation)—because healthy businesses stick around and keep helping people, all while their communities thrive.

“We say all the time, we’re not here to build temporary value,” says Andy Baker, CEO of a high-end blacksmithing business in Arkansas. “We’re here to build something long-term, something that outlasts me . . . and that can serve the next generation.”

That kind of vision is what fuels real passion for the work.

Why Small Businesses Matter So Much

Most successful communities are built on the shoulders of small-business owners like Andy. These leaders do far more than sell products and services. They create opportunities and change the trajectory of families and communities.

As Apple visionary Steve Jobs put it, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

In the United States, small businesses employ more than 62 million people across industries ranging from hospitality and construction to manufacturing and health care.² These organizations keep everyday life moving by feeding families, fixing homes, building infrastructure, and strengthening neighborhoods.

Although you probably won’t see the leaders of these businesses sporting blue spandex with a red superhero S across their chests, you will see them on any given day showing quiet courage in responsibilities like:

• Protecting payroll for their teams
• Hiring and developing new team members
• Serving customers and solving problems
• Managing finances and cash flow
• Setting direction and vision for the future of the company

It’s a level of responsibility that many people outside the business world rarely see. And it requires resilience, discipline and a deep commitment to serving others.

“The Lord brought me into this to be with people and to love people. . . . I'm able to just pour into my leaders, and I'm able to help live part of our mission of making people better.” — Michelle Marcum, Franchise Owner, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s

7 Leaders Who Prove Big Impact Often Starts Small

Throughout history, some of the most influential companies began as small, mission-driven businesses solving a simple problem. Their innovation has shaped the lives of countless people.

Here are just a few leaders who started with a simple idea and built something that changed the world.

1. Henry Ford

Before Ford Motor Company became a global brand, Henry Ford was simply trying to solve one problem: how to make automobiles affordable for everyday people. His early experiments weren’t glamorous, but his persistence eventually led to the Model T and the assembly-line innovations that transformed manufacturing.

2. Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker began selling hair care products door to door, creating solutions for Black women whose needs were largely ignored by the beauty industry at the time. Her small operation grew into a national company known as the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, and she became one of the first self-made female millionaires in America. Her success created opportunities for thousands of women entrepreneurs who sold her products and built businesses of their own.

3. Walt Disney

Walt Disney didn’t start with a global entertainment empire. In fact, his first animation company went bankrupt. But he kept going, sketching characters, refining ideas and betting on storytelling that families would love. Eventually his studio grew into Walt Disney Company, one of the most influential entertainment companies in the world.

Most great companies begin with nothing more than a leader’s bold idea and the courage to keep going. And that kind of impact isn’t limited to history books. It’s happening right now in businesses like these next two moder examples:

4. David Heath and Randy Goldberg

Bombas founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg began their business with a simple observation: Socks are the most requested clothing item in homeless shelters. Their small, online sock company was built around comfort and quality, but they also committed to donating a pair of socks for every pair sold.

Today, Bombas has donated more than 200 million essential clothing items while growing into a nationally recognized brand. Their story proves how much a business can grow when it solves a problem customers care about—one society cares about too.

5. Chip and Joanna Gaines

Chip and Joanna Gaines began with a market and a small home renovation business in Waco, Texas, restoring neglected properties and breathing new life into their community. Their modest local business eventually grew into Magnolia, a network of companies, including retail, hospitality, media and real estate, that employ hundreds of people.

But the best part? The engine behind Chip and Joanna’s success remains serving people well and investing deeply in their community.

While some entrepreneurs and businesses become widely known, most of the real impact happens through everyday leaders steadily keeping their communities running—like these final two:

 6. Troy Brown

Troy Brown, owner of Troy’s Wrecker Service in Louisville, Kentucky, started his towing company with a single truck and a heart to serve drivers in his community. Over time, he built a trusted business known for helping people in stressful moments and a strong team and culture inside the company. Now Troy’s sights are set on building the biggest towing business in Louisville and being known for going above and beyond.

“We’re not first responders in the traditional sense, but we can take a note from them,” Troy says. “And when we show up on the scene, we can serve with all we’ve got to make a difference.”

7. Waylon Hasty

Waylon Hasty started Elite Lineman Training Institute in Georgia to help launch careers in line work while building strong character in the next generation of skilled workers. Today, his business prepares students for essential careers where they’ll help keep power flowing safely across the nation.

Behind stories like these are thousands more entrepreneurs building meaningful businesses every day . . . one problem solved, one customer served, and one courageous decision at a time.

These business owners may never become household names, but their impact is just as real. They reshape neighborhoods and create opportunities that ripple through entire communities.

How You Can Celebrate Small Business Month

Whether you’re a business owner or simply a fan of local businesses, Small Business Month is a great opportunity to show appreciation for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Think about the businesses around you that consistently surprise and delight others and the real opportunity you have to show them some love.

Here are some ways you can support these businesses as a consumer:

• Shop locally whenever possible.
• Leave positive reviews and referrals online.
• Thank business owners publicly and recommend them to friends and family.
• Attend local small-business events, like sales promotions.

And if you’re a business leader yourself, Small Business Month can also be a time to pause and reflect on your journey.

Here are a few things you might do:

• Celebrate the courage it took to start your business.
• Reflect on the progress your team has made and the impact you’re creating.
• Encourage aspiring entrepreneurs who are considering starting their own businesses.
• Schedule regular coffee or lunch meetings with other leaders to share wisdom and encouragement.

If you’re a small-business owner, what you’re building matters more than you think. Every decision you make, every person you lead, and every customer you serve creates a ripple effect far beyond your business.

That’s exactly why small-business leaders deserve to be celebrated.

FAQ Section

Why do we celebrate Small Business Month?

Small Business Month recognizes the millions of entrepreneurs who create jobs, strengthen communities, and drive economic opportunity.

What is Small Business Week?

Small Business Week falls within Small Business Month. It’s part of a national celebration that recognizes the contributions small businesses make to the economy and their local communities.

When is Small Business Week?

Small Business Week typically takes place during the first week of May.

How can I support small businesses during Small Business Month?

You can support small businesses by shopping locally, leaving positive reviews, referring friends, and attending community events that highlight local entrepreneurs. If you know a small-business leader who has been recognized for their outstanding contributions, send them a note of encouragement, shout them out on social media, or support their business directly.