The release of the America’s SBDC Annual Report is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of small
business beyond the balance sheet. For the 272,679 clients served this year, the commitment to build,
grow, and sustain a business is fueled by a partnership with their local Small Business Development
Center (SBDC).
This year’s findings put a spotlight on a powerful truth: investing in small business advising yields
exponential returns. Across the United States, clients generated $5.1 billion in sales and new
businesses delivering nearly 10X the return for every dollar invested. These entrepreneurs are
keeping Main Streets alive by producing goods, innovations, and the 68,033 new full-time equivalent
jobs that fuel communities across the country.
The report serves as a showcase of American ingenuity. The stories within highlight leaders like Vicki
Hebert, owner of Smugglers Cove Flagging. Her journey through disaster recovery to strategic
planning reflects the strength required to navigate today’s market, noting that “having my SBDC
advisor believe in me, to help me believe in myself has been amazing.”
The narrative underscores that for many, entrepreneurship is a continuation of service. Leonard Daye,
a disabled U.S. Army Veteran and owner of Toastique in Texas, channeled his drive into a business that
met a need in his community. As Daye notes, “It wasn’t just about starting a business, it was about
making a lasting impact.” Similarly, La Michoacana Purépecha, a veteran-owned business in
Minnesota, utilized SBDC guidance to secure the Main Street Grant. This critical funding allowed the
owners to invest in equipment and shop improvements, contributing to the massive $5.53 billion in
total capital acquired by SBDC clients this year.
Beyond individual success, the report illustrates the critical ecosystem of support the SBDC provides
regarding scaling and team growth. While the average U.S. business grows at a steady pace, SBDC
clients are seeing 10X faster team growth. A prime example is Circle Creek Therapy in Washington,
which grew from a sole practitioner to a business with over 30 employees, executing a major
19,000-square-foot expansion in 2025.
The Annual Report is a reminder that the SBDC’s work is essential to America’s future. With over 1.2
million total advising hours logged in 2025 and 96% of clients recommending our services, we are
impacting more than just bottom lines; we are supporting resilience, stability, and pride in
communities nationwide.
Ready to see the full impact? Read the Annual Report.