FedEx Small Business Survey
Contact: Howard Clabo FedEx Spokesperson T: 901-434-7786 c: 901-508-2081 howard.clabo@fedex.com
Methodology
• National telephone omnibus survey of 1,000 Americans 18 years and older* • Survey conducted October 17-20, 2003 • Results are representative of and projectable to the US adult population • 102 (10% of total) respondents reported already owning their own business • Margin of error +/- 4
* Telephone interviews and data collection conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International
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Detailed Findings
Dreams of Starting a Business
• More than half (56%) of all Americans dream of starting their own business. • 10% have already realized the “American Dream” and own their own company.
Already Own Business 10% Dream of Starting Own Business 56%
No Dreams of Own Business 33%
Q: Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business?
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Dreamers vs. Owners
• Dreamers and Business Owners are similar:
– More men than women are likely both to dream of starting a business (55%) and to actually do it (65%). – Dreamers and Owners are likely to be between the ages of 25 and 54, but:
• Dreamers are younger – between 25 and 44 • Owners are slightly older – between 35 and 54
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Dreamers vs. Owners
• Key differences between Dreamers and Owners do exist:
– Dreamers are typically married with children (47%), but Owners tend to be married with no children (48%). – Nine out of 10 Business Owners are white; however, AfricanAmericans are more likely than white Americans to dream of starting their own business (76% vs. 53%). – Business Owners are more likely to live in the Southern (32%) and Western (27%) regions of the U.S.; Dreamers, however, transcend geographic regions.
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Willingness to Leave Current Job
• The same group of Americans who dream about starting their own businesses would also leave their current jobs to pursue selfemployment if money or other resources were readily available.
– 56% of Americans say they would consider leaving their jobs to start their own companies
Yes
56%
No
41%
Don't Know
3%
Q: If money or other resources weren’t an issue, would you consider leaving your current job to start your own business? **Business Owners were not asked this question.
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Reasons for Starting a Business
• Many Americans (39%) dream of starting their own business so they can do something they love or enjoy (e.g. a hobby).
– Secondarily, men (20%) are more likely than women (13%) to say “To be your own boss” – Women (20%) are more likely than men (13%) to want work/family flexibility
Do Something You Love Be Own Boss Have Work/Family Flexibility Pass Down To Kids Become Wealthy Give Back to Community Other/Don't Know 4% 2% 2% 5% 10% 8% 9% 17% 18% 16% 26% 38% 39%
7%
Dreamers Owners
Q: People often give the following reasons for wanting to start their business. Which ONE appeals MOST to YOU?
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Challenges of Starting a Business
• Nearly one-third of Americans (29%) said that managing some aspect of the supply chain would be the biggest challenge to starting a company.
Marketing & PR Making Actual Sales Dealing with Shipping Regs Products Delivered On Time Don't Know Manage Returns/Exchanges Other 1% 3% 5% 14% Deamers Owners 4% 8% 7% 18% 16% 14% 14% 24% 33% 36%
6 point discrepancy indicates that Business Owners know first-hand that getting products to customers on time is critical, yet challenging, for a new business.
Q: People often say the following are the biggest hurdles to getting a business off the ground. Which ONE do YOU think would be the MOST DIFFICULT to do?
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Challenges of Starting a Business
• But not all Americans think similarly about the same business hurdles, for example:
– 18-34 year-olds (44%) are more likely than people age 35-54 (31%) to think marketing and publicizing one’s business is the biggest hurdle to starting a business. – Those age 35-54 (29%), however, are more likely to believe making actual sales is the biggest hurdle. Secondarily, this group believes dealing with customs and international shipping regulations is the most challenging aspect (22%) – Men (11%) are more likely than women (6%) to think that getting products to customers on time is the biggest hurdle. – Americans in the North Central and Southern regions of the U.S. are more likely than those in other regions to view customs and shipping regulations as the most challenging hurdles (19%)
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Success Factors for Business Owners
• The top three key factors for success as defined by Business Owners are:
– Providing good customer service – Managing operational costs – Delivering products to customers on time
Good Customer Service Managing Operational Costs On-Time Product Delivery Marketing & PR Relationships with Suppliers Other/Don't Know 3% 53% 53% 48% 60% 76%
*Only Business Owners were asked this question. Q: As a business owner, what do you consider to be the BIGGEST FACTORS OF SUCCESS for small business owners?
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FedEx Small Business Survey