America Trusts Small Business

In just our third year on the list, owners of small businesses topped the Harris Interactive poll of most trusted leaders of societal institutions in America.

In 2007, over half of U.S. adults (54%) polled expressed a great deal of confidence in leaders of small business, followed by the military at 45%. University and medical leaders tied for third at 37%.

Other institutions such as Congress, religious leaders and law firms did not fare so well. The White House has dropped from 50% to 28% in just five years. OUCH!

I am very pleased to learn of these results as they support my experience that the vast majority of business owners are extremely hard working individuals whose high level of personal and professional ethics are manifested in a superior customer experience.

The fact is, that’s what business owners have to do to succeed. Today’s consumer is not only smart - but well informed. They have access to almost unlimited information and innumerable options when making their purchase decisions. Their belief in small business owners is based on their experience, not on some idealized notion of the The Great American Entrepreneur.

Congratulations.