Small (business) is beautiful.

Small (business) is beautiful.

I love small coffee shops. Not chains, not the big mermaid, not the one that sells donuts as a side hustle. Small. Local. The ones where you walk into a warm cloud of freshly roasted beans, freshly baked croissants and (do I detect) the scent of paperbacks?

And I don’t think I’m alone in my love for small businesses — I think we all have those places, and spaces, those Mom & Pop shops that feel like home and make our lives feel better, more connected. Small businesses run by passionate individuals who pour their souls into every cup of joe, every car they fix, every candle they pour.

They remember your name and your favorite order. They greet you like a friend, even if you’re a stranger. It’s something you can’t get in a box from Amazon or Temu.

I also love helping small businesses. My dad owned a small auto shop, I’ve had many, many, many side hustles over the years, and as an adult, my company, Dirigible Studio, has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses so they can pursue their dreams and goals and create their own special places in our communities. It’s also why I created Nim — I know that AI can be an ally to small enterprises.

I firmly believe that there are both moral and economic imperatives for entrepreneurship. Small businesses play a significant role in job creation, with AI-powered tools enabling further success and creating stronger futures for people, businesses, and communities.

So, grab a steaming cup of coffee (or your go-to beverage) from your local café, plunk down in your favorite cozy chair, and let’s get into exactly what makes small businesses so special.

The moral and economic case for entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a buzzword tossed around at networking events or trendy co-working spaces—it’s a powerful vehicle for change. When someone starts a small business, they’re not just pursuing a dream—they’re creating opportunities for themselves and others. It’s this beautiful cycle of empowerment and social mobility that really gets me fired up.

Small businesses foster empowerment and social mobility.

Starting a small business can be a total game-changer for individuals looking to improve their circumstances. For many, it’s a way to escape the limitations of traditional employment, especially for folks from underrepresented communities. By creating their own businesses, they set the stage for not just personal success but also inspire others in their communities to do the same. You know that saying, “When one door closes, another opens”? Well, in the world of entrepreneurship, that other door is often a small business just waiting to be unlocked.

Local economic impact = dollars in your community chest.

Let’s talk dollars and cents—because while passion is great, we all know the bottom line matters too. Small businesses are the backbone of local economies. They create jobs, support local suppliers, and keep money circulating within our communities.

This isn’t just about a few extra bucks in your pocket—it’s about building a thriving ecosystem. Small businesses create local economic opportunities that larger corporations often overlook. They don’t trade tax incentives to leave for another state or offshore operations.

When you buy from small businesses, you’re investing in your community.

Small but mighty.

To put it in perspective, small businesses account for nearly half of all private-sector jobs in the U.S.¹ Each time you make a purchase at a local shop, you’re helping to create jobs right in your own backyard. You are paying for food on a table or a kid to go to college. It’s like planting seeds in a garden—you nurture them with your support, and in return, you get a flourishing community.

So, when we talk about the moral and economic necessity for entrepreneurship, it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about people, dreams, and communities coming together to create something beautiful. And that’s just the beginning!

Small businesses create great jobs.

Small businesses, which make up a staggering 99.9% of all businesses in the U.S., employ nearly half (45.9%) of the American workforce, translating to around 61.6 million people.² While the majority of small businesses (82%) operate without employees, those that do hire contribute significantly to job creation—collectively adding more than 500,000 jobs over a decade just from businesses employing between 10-19 employees. Plus, small businesses are generous with their pay, averaging $30.42 an hour, which is over 60k a year.³ When you think about all these stats, it’s clear that small businesses are the backbone of our economy.

Let’s break down just how crucial these small enterprises are.

Job stats facts.

According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses create about two-thirds of new jobs each year. That means every time a new coffee shop opens up or a local bakery sets up shop, they’re not just adding to the deliciousness of our mornings—they’re providing employment opportunities for people in the community. It’s a ripple effect; one small business can lead to several new positions, and suddenly, you’ve got a bustling local job market.

Small businesses offer a variety of job opportunities.

Small businesses don’t just create jobs—they offer a diverse range of employment opportunities that cater to different skill sets and backgrounds. When you walk into a local shop, you might find a graphic designer running a boutique, a tech-savvy entrepreneur managing an online store, or a passionate chef whipping up culinary delights in a small restaurant. These businesses not only provide jobs but foster an environment where creativity and innovation thrive; they’re a breeding ground for new ideas and fresh talent.

And here’s the kicker: small employers are often more flexible than larger corporations when it comes to roles and responsibilities. This flexibility can lead to learning experiences and career growth for employees. You’re not a replaceable cog in the corporate wheel—you’re a person who is helping grow their own opportunities. Who doesn’t want that?

So, when we talk about the role of small businesses in job creation, we’re looking at a vibrant landscape filled with opportunities. Each small business not only contributes to the economy but also enhances the fabric of the community, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

How to use AI to create success for small businesses.

The best way to use AI is to streamline operations. That means taking all the boring “stuff” off your plate: parsing spreadsheets, making social media posts, and whatever doesn’t float your boat.

You can spend less time writing copy or digging through data and get more time to focus on what you love most about your business—whether that’s whipping up amazing products or connecting with your customers on a personal level. Pretty exciting, right? This is the future that we’re working towards. Let’s explore two ways that can happen.

Reduce communication friction.

In the history of computing, there’s a fascinating pattern that emerges—it’s all about reducing communication friction. Think back to the dawn of the internet. Suddenly, millions of people were able to connect and share information with incredible ease. Before that, computers were pretty nifty, but the internet took them to a whole new level. Then there’s the GUI (graphical user interface, hint: you’re using one right now)—remember that little invention from Xerox PARC? It made interacting with computers as simple as a click of a mouse, opening the floodgates for mass adoption.

This concept of improving communication, whether between two people or between a user and a machine, is key to creating value. But here’s the kicker: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for how things should interface. Rather, it really depends on the context. We’re on a mission to make Nim the ultimate tool for small businesses to engage with large language models (LLMs) in their marketing endeavors. It’s all about that sweet spot of reducing friction and unlocking the value that comes with leveraging the power of AI to help grow your business.

AI improves autonomy.

You know that saying, “Time is money”? Well, every small business owner knows it all too well. Picture this: you’re a baker who’s hitting it big. People are lining up outside your shop before the sun even peeks over the horizon, and you’re waking up at 2 AM every day just to keep up. It’s exhilarating but exhausting! So, what do you do? You hire someone to help. Boom! You’re slowly but surely releasing some of that time pressure while still providing the same delicious goodies that keep your customers coming back for more.

Imagine if you could completely sever that connection between your time and the value your business creates. Instead of spending hours fiddling around with tools or managing tasks, AI can step in and do the heavy lifting for you. It’s like having a super-efficient assistant that can anticipate your needs and take action on your behalf. The best part? It learns from your feedback to help make your business even better. This is the future we hope for Nim and for small business owners everywhere.

AI levels the playing field for the little guys.

Small businesses are not just shops—they’re the lifeblood of our communities, pumping capital into local economies and fostering connections among people. They are the dreamers, the doers, and the innovators who remind us that with a little passion and a lot of perseverance, anything is possible.

By streamlining operations and enhancing communication, AI tools like Nim can turn that dream of running a successful small business into a reality, allowing owners to focus on what they love most.

So, the next time you sip your coffee from that cozy little café, remember that behind every cup is a story, a dream, and a community that thrives because of the small businesses around you. They need your support, your enthusiasm, and yes, your dollars. Let’s champion these local heroes and embrace the future with open arms.

Check out Nim and give your business a boost.

Save $10 when you use code NIMBUS100 at checkout. This offer is only available to the first 100 sign-ups.

---

¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Small Businesses Contribute 55% of Total Net Job Creation (2023), Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/small-businesses-contributed-55-percent-of-the-total-net-job-creation-from-2013-to-2023.htm

² U.S. Small Business Administration. Small Business Economic Profile (2023), Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-US.pdf.

³ U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Small Business Data Center. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center.