In 2025, the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) launched the Small Business, Social Enterprise & Local Economies steering committee to build the collective voice and power needed to advance campaigns and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level in support of small businesses, social enterprises and local economies. The steering committee works collaboratively to shape the overall goals, key priorities, and strategies that businesses collectively want to pursue. Topics range from access to capital, resilience, worker immigrant and employer rights, to tariffs and far-reaching policy decisions, and everything in between.
In 2025, the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) launched the Small Business, Social Enterprise & Local Economies steering committee to build the collective voice and power needed to advance campaigns and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level in support of small businesses, social enterprises and local economies. The steering committee works collaboratively to shape the overall goals, key priorities, and strategies that businesses collectively want to pursue. Topics range from access to capital, resilience, worker immigrant and employer rights, to tariffs and far-reaching policy decisions, and everything in between.
Our work includes:
Together, we aim to restore value to small businesses, social enterprises and local economies, provide access to resources, and advocate for stakeholder-driven growth creating a just and regenerative economy for all.
of businesses are small businesses (Pew Research Center, 2024)
of the U.S. GDP is provided by small businesses (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024)
workers employed by small businesses in U.S.
Small businesses are vital to the U.S. economy. Nearly half of all American workers are employed by small businesses, contributing approximately 43.5% to the nation’s GDP. In 2021, small businesses employed an estimated 56.4 million workers and generated over $16.2 trillion in revenue.
The stakeholder economy model emphasizes creating value for and serving the interests of all stakeholders, including workers, customers, communities, the environment, as well as the traditional shareholders. This approach encourages businesses to make responsible and sustainable decisions, considering the impact on all stakeholders equally.
Small businesses are vital to the U.S. economy. Nearly half of all American workers are employed by small businesses, contributing approximately 43.5% to the nation’s GDP. In 2021, small businesses employed an estimated 56.4 million workers and generated over $16.2 trillion in revenue.
The stakeholder economy model emphasizes creating value for and serving the interests of all stakeholders, including workers, customers, communities, the environment, as well as the traditional shareholders. This approach encourages businesses to make responsible and sustainable decisions, considering the impact on all stakeholders equally.
worker cooperatives in the U.S. (Aspen Institute, 2021)
workers are employed by cooperatives (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2024)
is generated annually by cooperatives (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2024)
The growth in popularity and legality of benefit corporations (B Corps) reflects the increasing adoption of stakeholder-driven economic principles. As of 2021, 42 U.S. states, along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., have enacted such laws, highlighting bipartisan support for businesses operating with a broader focus beyond shareholder profit.
Similarly, worker-owned businesses and cooperatives are integral to the U.S. economy. As of 2021, there were approximately 612 worker cooperatives in the United States, a number that has been rising steadily in recent years. Additionally, more than 6,000 U.S. companies have implemented Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), covering over 1.5 million workers in private companies alone. Collectively, cooperatives operate across various sectors, accounting for more than 2 million jobs and generating $660 billion in annual revenue.
Embracing a stakeholder-driven economy supports small businesses, fosters sustainable growth, strengthens community ties, and ensures that economic benefits are distributed more equitably across society. That’s why the American Sustainable Business Network is proud to offer a wide range of engagement opportunities tailored to small business members.
The growth in popularity and legality of benefit corporations (B Corps) reflects the increasing adoption of stakeholder-driven economic principles. As of 2021, 42 U.S. states, along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., have enacted such laws, highlighting bipartisan support for businesses operating with a broader focus beyond shareholder profit.
Similarly, worker-owned businesses and cooperatives are integral to the U.S. economy. As of 2021, there were approximately 612 worker cooperatives in the United States, a number that has been rising steadily in recent years. Additionally, more than 6,000 U.S. companies have implemented Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), covering over 1.5 million workers in private companies alone. Collectively, cooperatives operate across various sectors, accounting for more than 2 million jobs and generating $660 billion in annual revenue.
Embracing a stakeholder-driven economy supports small businesses, fosters sustainable growth, strengthens community ties, and ensures that economic benefits are distributed more equitably across society. That’s why the American Sustainable Business Network is proud to offer a wide range of engagement opportunities tailored to small business members.
Historically, worker-owned and women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses have often been marginalized and excluded from the broader business community. Worker-owned enterprises often encounter obstacles in accessing traditional financing due to unconventional ownership structures and a lack of understanding from financial institutions. Similarly, despite women owning approximately 20% of all employer businesses in the U.S., they receive less than 2% of all venture capital funding (Daniels College of Business, 2024), and A 2018 Federal Reserve study found that 53% of Black-owned businesses did not receive the full amount of business funding requested, compared to 24% of white-owned businesses. Women of color face even greater challenges, receiving less than 0.2% of venture capital funding (McKinsey & Company, 2024).
Recognizing the importance of creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, we offer discounted membership to worker-owned, women-owned, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color- (BIPOC) owned businesses, as well as Indigenous-led organizations and communities.
Historically, worker-owned and women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses have often been marginalized and excluded from the broader business community. Worker-owned enterprises often encounter obstacles in accessing traditional financing due to unconventional ownership structures and a lack of understanding from financial institutions. Similarly, despite women owning approximately 20% of all employer businesses in the U.S., they receive less than 2% of all venture capital funding (Daniels College of Business, 2024), and A 2018 Federal Reserve study found that 53% of Black-owned businesses did not receive the full amount of business funding requested, compared to 24% of white-owned businesses. Women of color face even greater challenges, receiving less than 0.2% of venture capital funding (McKinsey & Company, 2024).
Recognizing the importance of creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, we offer discounted membership to worker-owned, women-owned, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color- (BIPOC) owned businesses, as well as Indigenous-led organizations and communities.
The inclusion of worker-owned, women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses is crucial for the holistic development of sustainable business practices. There are unique insights and diverse perspectives that can significantly enhance our collective efforts toward sustainability, resilience and regeneration. By offering discounted memberships, we aim to amplify under served voices, foster economic growth, and ensure that all contributions are recognized and valued. If you are in a position to pay-it-forward for another member to join at a discount, please consider donating.
Find your people. Take part in the Small Business, Social Enterprise & Local Economies steering committee, become a member today!
David Levine, President and Co-founder, is available for speaking engagements and presentations on related topics.
