Small Business
Small businesses help define a community’s character, providing personalized service and adding to local charm with unique products.
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Thank you to the City of Charlotte for providing guidance on core content as Lead Agency for this folio.
What is Small Business?
Small businesses help define a community’s character, providing personalized service and adding to local charm with unique products.
They drive economic growth with job creation and boost local tax revenue, which helps support local nonprofits and revitalize our neighborhoods.
Their smaller scale also makes it easier for residents to enter the workforce in settings that contribute to our community identity and growth.
In being run by an individual, family, or small group rather than shareholders or a corporate structure, they may have fewer operational resources than a big business, but more flexibility to innovate and pivot quickly.
The definition of “small business” varies by industry according to the United States Small Business Administration. For instance, a manufacturing firm might be considered small with 500 employees, while a restaurant or other service-based shop might have fewer than 10 employees.
What never varies is the role they play in our communities, as there are small businesses in nearly every industry, including consulting firms, creative agencies, tech startups, hospitality, and retail.
Starting a small business can be the gateway to entrepreneurship for many of us with a vision, dream or idea. Preparation and planning are critical to small business success.
Key Facts
Scroll down for key facts on small business
92%
of Mecklenburg County businesses employ fewer than 50 people
<500
employees qualifies a business as small in most cases by the Small Business Administration
54%
of small business owners in Charlotte-Mecklenburg struggle to identify appropriate funding sources
74%
of net new job creation across North Carolina comes from small businesses each year
1.7M+
people employed by small businesses in North Carolina
90%
of startup founders plan to stay in Charlotte due to its business climate and quality of life
Sources
What is happening now?
Charlotte has a reputation for being a destination for corporations and banking, but it is also home to a robust, diverse small business sector.
These small businesses are crucial for Charlotte, helping to maintain the city’s character and culture amid a population boom. The landscape is entrepreneurial, and securing funding to expand or even remain open is key – especially when growth is driving up operating costs (rent and labor, for example).
Navigating the system to access resources can be daunting, especially for early-stage and historically underrepresented founders. However, a growing network of small business support organizations and initiatives can help small businesses thrive.
The City of Charlotte completed a Small Business Ecosystem Assessment in late 2025, compiling input from more than 860 small businesses, providing guidance to help Charlotte strengthen its small business and inclusion programs and make financial, support, and growth resources more accessible to more small business owners across the community.
Other similar reports and assessments include the 2024 Startup Ecosystem Report, which indicated that Charlotte is a very attractive destination for entrepreneurial talent, particularly in technology and innovation, but that the systems to support startup growth have room for improvement.
Donate or volunteer now
To donate and volunteer with nonprofits working in Small Business, visit SHARE Charlotte’s directory for Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Professional Development.
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Starting points
These six organizations are good starting points for someone new to this topic to learn more.
Charlotte is home to a growing network of people and organizations who believe in building a stronger, more connected community for all.
Explore more resources below.
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Equips entrepreneurs in Charlotte with the mentorship, funding, and resources to launch and grow impactful businesses.
Provides capital, technical assistance, and policy research to light the way for small businesses in North Carolina.
Champions economic growth, cultural exchange, and equitable opportunities for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business community across North Carolina.
Fosters cooperation and interaction within the Asian communities and between the community at large in Charlotte and the Carolinas for the betterment of commerce, culture, and communication.
Supports LGBT+ and allied businesses through growth strategy, funding procurement, and advocacy.
Supports, serves and strengthens its members and the Charlotte area through networking, education, and providing resources and information that affect small businesses.
Represents and serves Latino-owned businesses and professionals across the Charlotte region.
Provides free business law services to under-resourced small business owners and entrepreneurs in Mecklenburg County.
Assists entrepreneurs and employers with the goal of growing businesses and business leaders.
Assists certified Small Business Enterprises with development programs, training, strategic development, and networking.
A group of entrepreneurial experts helping leaders grow their skills and confidence to grow their businesses. Sits within the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
A vibrant hub dedicated to fostering the growth and success of small business entrepreneurs from the West Side of Charlotte.
Focuses on providing solutions and driving Hispanic contractors to grow and succeed in construction.
Advocates for cultural preservation and economic development stimulation in the Historic West End.
Serves innovation-driven, venture-backable startups—companies with the potential to scale to millions in revenue, create significant jobs, and often sell beyond their home market.
Promotes economic growth by putting the resources small businesses need to succeed within reach by way of partnerships with the public and private sector.
Provides free one-on-one advising and technical assistance to help small businesses foster growth.
The only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries; with chapters across the country.
Helps small and mid-sized businesses increase sales, create jobs, and access capital.
Dedicated to connecting business owners with leading management strategies, providing access to large enterprise organizations and cultivating meaningful relationships.
Provides bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business.
Nonprofit for entrepreneurs that provides free business mentoring, education, and tools to help businesses grow.
Federal Agency that connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.
Delivers free seminars, coaching, and business courses, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs.
Helps students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners uncover ideas and discover innovation.
Invests resources to shape public spaces and plans for a better-built environment that influences the way we live, work, play and learn in University City.
Focuses on training and support for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Tools and Resources
Everything you need in one place. Browse articles, reports, and tools that support your journey.
Lingo to Know
Every topic has its own vocabulary. Learn a few key words here so you can explore with confidence.
Capital
The money used to start, operate, and grow a business, including loans, investments, and cash flow.Microbusiness
A business with 1 to 9 employees, typically with low operational costs but more flexibility to operate.Scale
Increasing revenue and operations while managing costs, enabling expansion and higher profitability.Small business
An independently owned company with limited employees and revenue, typically serving regional customers.Solopreneur
An individual who owns, manages, and operates a business alone, handling all responsibilities without employees.Underrepresented founders
Entrepreneurs from marginalized groups with limited access to capital and networks compared to most founders.
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Special thanks to cover artist, Mary Zio!
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Builder Button → Share Your Feedback With Us
Let's Build Something Awesome Together
We didn’t build this alone – and we’re not done yet. This site grows with input from real people across Charlotte. Got feedback? A topic we missed? A story to share? Click the Builder Button below.
