In the last three years alone, over 20 million new businesses opened, representing a record-breaking surge in small businesses. However, with that growth comes the need for greater support, not only for these new entrepreneurs but also for the millions of existing small business owners who continue to navigate the evolving economic landscape.
Becoming your own boss is empowering, but it also presents unique challenges. New entrepreneurs need guidance and resources as they build and operate their businesses, all while contributing to the strength and resilience of our larger small business community.
Since 1981, as the nation’s leading advocate for self-employed and micro-business owners, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has proudly stood alongside America’s entrepreneurs, both new and existing, every step of the way along this amazing journey.
The remarkable growth across the small business landscape includes the self-employed, gig-economy workers, and solo entrepreneurs who, together, now make up an astounding 82% of the overall small business community. They are the heartbeat of Main Street — your neighborhood accountants, bakers, and countless others fueling local economies. Self-employed and micro-business owners drive innovation, support local communities, and create millions of jobs across the nation.
Being self-employed offers countless rewards. You have the power to shape your schedule, pursue work-life balance on your terms, and build a business that reflects your values and goals. However, with that independence also comes responsibility.
As a member of the community, you must meet legal and financial obligations that may be new to many small business owners, such as making quarterly estimated tax payments, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring all necessary business registrations and filings are current and compliant with local regulations.
Setting the self-employed up for success
At NASE, our mission is simple yet powerful: to support the journey and success of America’s self-employed and micro-business community. We proudly stand with entrepreneurs every step of the way, offering critical resources, expert guidance, and educational tools tailored to the unique challenges of small business ownership. These services are available to both our members and the broader community, all with the goal of helping entrepreneurship thrive nationwide.
Our members enjoy exclusive benefits, from competitive dependent scholarships to our signature Growth Grants program, made possible through collaborations with partners like AARP and Dell Small Business. Members also gain access to our Ask the Experts service, where professionals from across the country offer specialized advice on everything from taxes and marketing to legal and business strategy.
Our website serves as a robust hub of knowledge for the self-employed. It features publicly accessible press releases, insightful articles on trending business topics, tax and policy updates, and direct responses to key issues being addressed in Washington. We also offer practical business advice through our NASE Minute video series, which provides quick, one-minute tips delivered by our in-house experts. These videos cover a wide range of subjects, from choosing an accountant and leveraging social media to managing schedules and using AI tools to streamline operations.
In addition, we provide specialized financial calculators to help small business owners forecast expenses and plan effectively, whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow an existing operation.
We are committed to making the path to self-employment smoother, more informed, and more successful for everyone who chooses to join this journey. With a record number of Americans launching small businesses in recent years, it’s clear that more people than ever before are embracing the freedom and opportunity of being their own boss. We are proud to support the small business community — the most powerful economic force in this country.
