What is the National Small Business Association?

NSBA is the nation's oldest small-business advocacy organization. The organization boasts members in each of the United States, British Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Through its member organizations, NSBA reaches more than 150,000 small-business owners.

Small-business advocacy remains the driving force behind NSBA. The organization is mindful that the best advocates for small business are the owners themselves, who devote their lives to make their businesses, their employees, their communities, and their nation a better place.

What is NSBA's mission?

Driven by a 32-member board (comprised of volunteer small-business owners), NSBA works closely with members of Congress and its own members. Through publications, policy forums, conferences and action alerts, NSBA keeps its members updated on legislation that may help or hinder small business growth.

Throughout the year, NSBA members and staff testify on Capitol Hill about crucial issues such as health care reform, tax reform, burdensome regulations, barriers to capital, fair competition, paperwork reduction, procurement, product liability and other important topics.

NSBA also took a lead role in initiating the White House Conference on Small Business in 1980, 1986 and 1995.

Who are NSBA members?

NSBA's membership is as diverse as the small business field. Members include carpenters, consultants, manufacturers, retailers, grocers, designers, investors, and concerned citizens who believe in the free enterprise system.

NSBA's members also include state and regional small-business affiliated groups, such as the Arizona Small Business Association in Phoenix, Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) in Cleveland, SMC Business Councils in Pittsburgh, and the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) in Lansing.

What is NSBA’s history?

NSBA began in 1937 to advocate for the interests of small businesses throughout the United States. The organization’s origins date back to its founder, DeWitt Emery, a small business owner from the Midwest.

Emery was frustrated with the bureaucracy of Washington and the disregard displayed toward the needs of small businesses. In an attempt to make a difference, he brought together a group of proactive small business owners and formed the National Small Business Men’s Association.

This group, which originally consisted of just 160 small businesses, now reaches more than 150,000 small businesses.

What are NSBA’s priority issues and how are they determined?

NSBA gathers every two years during the Small Business Congress to learn about the latest issues and vote upon their top 10. NSBA subsequently publishes its priority issues booklet listing the results.

The next Small Business Congress is scheduled for Feb. 2009.