The business of being small : a study of family-owned small businesses in the United States

Abstract

A common misconception in public thought is that the United States business world is dominated by large public corporations. The reality is that United States business is comprised of an enormous number of small family-owned firms. However, much of the curricula taught in business schools today relates to issues faced by large businesses and overlooks the large portion of the nation's small businesses. Small family-owned businesses face many different challenges and obstacles that large businesses do not. In the following study, I take an in-depth look at a small family-owned business, Cossairt Florist and Greenhouse, and the specific challenges the company faces both as a small family-owned business and as a business in the floral industry. Following this example, I explore many of the organizations and initiatives devoted to serving the needs and promoting the growth of small family-owned businesses in the United States. Finally, I discuss the opportunity business schools have in catering curricula to the needs of this segment of businesses.