Small Business Where Small Business Grows™ Small business firsts Manta-Dell Study Reveals Unique Insights into Small Business Ownership and the Life of an Entrepreneur Time Machine Source: March 2014 survey of 3,025 Manta.com members who have claimed their Manta company page. Margin of error +/-1.78%. For more on the Manta-Dell Survey, please contact [email protected] or access the full survey results at manta.com/press. Where were SBOs when they decided to start their business? What was the SBO’s first priority when starting their business? Which of these business milestones are most important to an SBO? First technology investment of the business owner: Which of these “firsts” are they most proud of? What season did they start their business? (16% Other) (20% Other/no response) 49% At my last job 26% Other 16% At kitchen table 9% Vacation, party, network event 23% Fall 22% Winter 21% Summer 34% Spring 37% Getting repeat customers 21% Networking to promote the business 18% Writing the business plan 17% Getting the equipment I need Advice from entrepreneurs Getting business location Obtain financing 10% 9% 7% Hiring 2% First profitable year 14% Recognition from peers/community 10% Opening or expanding location 10% First sale/dollar earned 9% (37% Other/no response) Host company celebration 15% Giving employee bonuses 15% Offering benefits to employees 4% (20% Other/no response) Smartphone 9% Tablet 3% Internal server 2% Money does not make the world go around What motivates small business owners (SBOs) to be successful? 37% Personal achievement/lifelong dream 12% 10% 28% Financial stability Giving back to community Great customers (13% Other) Significant milestones and proudest moments The role of technology in small business Sneak peek into the future – Serial entrepreneurs on the rise 29% Our first award Biggest technology milestones for the SBO: The small business plan of the SBO for the next five years: Emerging technology expected to have a significant impact on their business: SBOs that would start another small business: (20% Other/no response) (14% Other/no response) Introducing mobile devices/tablets 9% Accounting/payroll software 8% A mobile payment system 6% Buying first server 3% (13% Other/no response) (9% Other/no response) Mobile technology 32% Cloud computing 10% Wearable technology 4% 54% Launching website 41% New social media platforms 53% Desktop or laptop 13% Printer/scanner/fax 46% Growing and expanding my business 28% Maintaining my business Pass down business to family member Being acquired 8% 4%