The National Small Business Association was founded 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 in 1937 and formed the National Small Business Men’s Association.

This group, which originally consisted of just 160 small businesses, now represents more than 150,000 small businesses. The organization is proud to have started the small business movement. NSBA also took the lead role in initiating the White House Conference on Small Business in 1980, 1986 and 1995.

More about NSBA's history can be attained from the following sources:

>>NSBA History Backgrounder