Veterans thriving as small business owners, according to Allstate/USA Today Small Business Barometer

Optimism among veteran small business owners is outpacing the nation’s small businesses as a whole, according to this year’s Allstate/USA Today Small Business Barometer.[i] The annual index study released new data ahead of Veterans Day showing that veteran entrepreneurs’ optimism is at a resounding 99 out of 100 — which the Barometer found is a reflection of veterans’ overall success in areas such as business performance, hiring and growth.

In fact, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of veterans say there’s never been a better time to own a small business. And while the numbers are high among all small business owners — 64 percent say the best time to own a business is now and 92 percent report high optimism — veterans’ positive views of the small business climate are consistent across the board.

“Being in the military challenges you to become your best self, and some of the skills it teaches — respect, organization, discipline and loyalty — are exactly the kind of traits it takes to successfully run your own small business,” said Steven James, an Allstate agency owner for the past nine years and a 10-year military veteran. “Owning two small businesses also allows me to continue pursuing my passion for giving back and serving the community I call home.”

The Small Business Barometer, in its second year, combines a national survey of nearly 2,800 small-business owners with federal economic data to provide a comprehensive profile of the sector across the United States and in 25 of its largest cities. For the first time this year, the Barometer oversampled veteran business owners to get a pulse of this influential group.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development says there is approximately one veteran-owned firm for every 10 veterans; veterans are 45 percent more likely than nonveterans to be self-employed; and more than one-third of veteran business owners say that while on active duty, they learned skills that directly transfer to the business world.[ii]

More findings from the Small Business Barometer:

• 70 percent of veteran small business owners say their business is doing well (64 percent for small-business owners overall).
• 64 percent of veterans’ small businesses have experienced recent growth (55 percent overall).
• 57 percent of veteran small business owners have experienced more growth this year than last year (49 percent overall).
• 51 percent of veteran small business owners plan to hire this year (42 percent overall).

The Barometer results reveal that nearly half (45 percent) of all small-business owners employ veterans, and more than a third (35 percent) have veteran hiring practices. Why is that? Respondents gave a number of reasons, but a few stood out: 51 percent said they have veteran hiring practices because it’s the right thing to do; 46 percent said it’s because of transferable traits and skills; and 41 percent of all small-business owners said they value veterans’ teamwork skills.

In addition to selling business insurance products, Allstate works with a network of more than 10,000 small businesses across the country who use veteran-friendly hiring practices. Through its Joining Forces for Good Licensing Program, for example, Allstate provides veterans and their spouses with the necessary tools to translate their skills into a career as a licensed sales professional for an Allstate agency owner — and with bonuses for passing their property and casualty licensing test, even if they don’t end up in an Allstate agency. The classes are offered online and in person.

Allstate’s long history of supporting veterans and organizations includes hiring and community involvement. As part of its relationships with businesses run and owned by veterans, the company last year spent more than $50 million with over 500 veteran-owned vendors.

For more information on the Small Business Barometer, including veteran-specific data, visit allstate.com/barometer. For more information about Allstate’s veteran hiring and insurance sales licensing program, Joining Forces for Good, visit allstateveterans.com. For small business owners looking for access to valuable advice and insights, visit Small Business Connection, where Allstate and many other companies are helping small businesses succeed.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life’s uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate^®.” Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America.

[i] View the Allstate/USA Today Small Business Barometer, a comprehensive profile of the small business environment across the nation and in 25 of its largest cities. It combines a survey of nearly 2,800 small business owners with federal data to create eight key indicators and an overall measure.

[ii] U.S. Small Business Administration – Facts on Veterans and Entrepreneurship: sba.gov/content/facts-veterans-and-entrepreneurship