According to a 2023 report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, there are more than 31 million entrepreneurs in the United States. That accounts for about 16 percent of the workforce.

According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, about 20 percent of businesses don’t make it through their first year of operations. By yet another estimate, only 50 percent of startups remain in operation after five years.

What can be done to improve those proportions, even if you don’t own a small business?

Here are 10 ways to support small businesses and their owners:

Show interest in them and their ventures, but in non-threatening, non-intrusive ways.
Try asking what parts of their businesses or projects really motivate or excite them. Their responses could open channels for you to potentially offer ideas or other assistance.

Offer an introduction to a person or resource you believe might benefit their businesses. Maybe you’re familiar with the resources available at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction or perhaps the local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Referrals offer by far one of the best ways to build and grow businesses. You also might mention a list of professional and business contacts you’re assembling and ask if they’d like a copy or would like to be included on the list.

Help business owners get interviewed by and featured in local and trade publications.

Ask about their mentors and their inspiration for their businesses.

Shop at small businesses — retail, restaurants, events and more — everyday. Make it a point to shop small and local during small business week events and restaurant week, for example.

Be a friend. Write a note of encouragement. Celebrate their successes and listen when they want to talk about their failures. Strive to be helpful, but not critical.

Refer a friend. Word of mouth, social media posts, emails and text messages all offer great ways to get the word out about new businesses.

Offer to help out with occasional tasks. New business owners are often overwhelmed.

Invite business owners to networking events and then introduce them to everyone you know there. Starting small businesses takes so much time, owners sometimes forget to get out and find the connections to help grow their ventures.

Explain what an “elevator speech” is and then help business owners craft and refine theirs.

Starting and growing a new business is a lonely, thankless job. It also can be frightening and overwhelming. Sometimes a friendly face, helping hand and willingness to listen can be just what’s most needed.