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Business

Small firms, investment, and the people building businesses.

38 stories

What Counts as a Small Business? The Definition Depends on the Question

“Small business” is a useful category only when its definition is clear. Industry codes, firm characteristics and the purpose of a statistic or program determine which companies are grouped together—and what comparisons that grouping can support.

Nov 14, 2025

BusinessExplainer

How to Start a Business: The Decisions Behind the Paperwork

Starting a small business is a sequence of linked choices: establish customer demand, understand costs and competitors, then select a workable location and legal setup before completing registrations and operating preparations.

Nov 2, 2025