Findings Will Outline Small Business Goals, Challenges, and High-Priority Issues
Chicago, IL, November 4, 2021 — The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Amazon and Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, launched The State of Small Business: 2021 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook survey. Now in its seventh year, the annual Small Business Outlook provides small businesses with a thorough, forward-looking source of information regarding the future of a crucial sector of the economy.
“Small businesses play a vital role in creating jobs and anchoring communities in Chicagoland,” said Jack Lavin, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “The State of Small Business: 2021 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook will be used to better understand the needs and expectations of local small businesses and entrepreneurs and to help shape Chamber programs and policies to best suit the needs of small businesses in Chicagoland so they can grow and create new jobs.”
The survey focuses on Chicago’s small businesses goals for success, the challenges they face, and the issues that matter most to them. Additionally, the survey also incorporates questions about topical issues, such as COVID-19 and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The information gathered will include demographic data, public policy concerns, hiring plans, growth trends, economic outlooks, selling online, and an overview of what types of resources and services small businesses and entrepreneurs currently utilize or would like to see available.
“More than 49,000 third-party selling partners – mostly small and medium-sized businesses – and independent authors across Illinois have worked with Amazon to grow their businesses,” said Claire O’Donnell, Director of Selling Partner Communities and Empowerment at Amazon. “We are delighted to join the Chicagoland Chamber for the Small Business Outlook Survey to learn how we can best support the local small business community.”
Marketing students within the Quinlan School of Business helped develop the survey questions and will provide analysis based on the findings.
“Investing in our future business leaders is of the utmost importance and we are pleased to once again partner with the Chicagoland Chamber on the Small Business Outlook and provide Loyola University students with an opportunity to solve business challenges in one of the most dynamic and complex markets in the country,” said Dr. Alex Krasnikov, Professor in the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago.
All businesses with less than 500 employees and under $10 million in revenues in the region are encouraged to complete The State of Small Business: 2021 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook survey.
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 1,000 member companies, which collectively employ 400,000 employees and generate $24 billion in revenue. The Chamber combines the power of membership with its legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. To learn more, visit www.chicagolandchamber.org.
Press Contact
Brandon Davis
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Julie Larsen
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