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Your last paragraph paints a dual vision of the world that just isn't accurate. There are the two you mentioned: 1- small businesses that go out of business af

Your last paragraph paints a dual vision of the world that just isn't accurate. There are the two you mentioned: 1- small businesses that go out of business after a few years 2- ...ones that become big chains But you are forgetting #3, the one that actually makes up the largest proportion of businesses: 3- people that quietly, successfully, run their businesses in a sustainable, family and community oriented manner (not financial growth focused but personal growth focused) and then retire quietly surrounded by loved ones.

BobbyJo 2y ago
> But you are forgetting #3, the one that actually makes up the largest proportion of businesses: 3- people that quietly, successfully, run their businesses in a sustainable, family and community oriented manner (not financial growth focused but personal growth focused) and then retire quietly surrounded by loved ones. I wasn't forgetting them, they just aren't relevant to a conversation about venture capital, at least to me. There are plenty of small bootstrapped startups out there, but their ROI isn't high enough to justify a gamble on the part of investors. Likewise with the businesses you're talking about. Yes the make up most small businesses, but most small businesses aren't looking for private venture capital, and don't fall into the category of what OP was claiming is "pump n dump".
pas 2y ago
Big business is frighteningly efficient at being BIG. (At least in the US.) https://www.bls.gov/web/cewbd/table_f.txt https://www.bls.gov/web/cewbd/table_f.txt ~42% of the workforce is employed at firms with 1000+ headcount. The next biggest bucket is ~10% the 20-49 range. Then ~9.5% is the 100-249 bucket. And the share of biggest ones is (likely unfortunately) growing.
- iancmceachern 2y ago
  "According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 99.9% of businesses in the United States are small businesses, which are defined as independent businesses with fewer than 500 employees. This amounts to around 33.3 million businesses, which employ 61.7 million Americans, or 46.4% of private sector employees. Small businesses are a vital part of the American economy, contributing to economic stability and representing 43.5% of the country's GDP. Here are some other statistics about small businesses in the United States: 84.8% of businesses in rural areas are small businesses 43.2% of small businesses are owned by women 20% of employer businesses are owned by minorities Small businesses account for about 96% of employer firms in high-patenting manufacturing industries

BobbyJo 2y ago

> But you are forgetting #3, the one that actually makes up the largest proportion of businesses: 3- people that quietly, successfully, run their businesses in a sustainable, family and community oriented manner (not financial growth focused but personal growth focused) and then retire quietly surrounded by loved ones. I wasn't forgetting them, they just aren't relevant to a conversation about venture capital, at least to me. There are plenty of small bootstrapped startups out there, but their ROI isn't high enough to justify a gamble on the part of investors. Likewise with the businesses you're talking about. Yes the make up most small businesses, but most small businesses aren't looking for private venture capital, and don't fall into the category of what OP was claiming is "pump n dump".

pas 2y ago

Big business is frighteningly efficient at being BIG. (At least in the US.) https://www.bls.gov/web/cewbd/table_f.txt https://www.bls.gov/web/cewbd/table_f.txt ~42% of the workforce is employed at firms with 1000+ headcount. The next biggest bucket is ~10% the 20-49 range. Then ~9.5% is the 100-249 bucket. And the share of biggest ones is (likely unfortunately) growing.

iancmceachern 2y ago
"According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 99.9% of businesses in the United States are small businesses, which are defined as independent businesses with fewer than 500 employees. This amounts to around 33.3 million businesses, which employ 61.7 million Americans, or 46.4% of private sector employees. Small businesses are a vital part of the American economy, contributing to economic stability and representing 43.5% of the country's GDP. Here are some other statistics about small businesses in the United States: 84.8% of businesses in rural areas are small businesses 43.2% of small businesses are owned by women 20% of employer businesses are owned by minorities Small businesses account for about 96% of employer firms in high-patenting manufacturing industries