NASE Celebrates American Entrepreneurs Powering the Nation During National Small Business Week and Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2026
CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA
[email protected]
MAY 2026: National Small Business Week & Month
Nation's Leading Self-Employed Advocacy Organization Marks May with Renewed Commitment to Helping the Self-Employed and Micro-Business Owners Access the Capital They Need to Succeed
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Access to capital remains one of the most critical factors in both opening and sustaining a small business—and continues to be one of the most persistent challenges facing America's self-employed community. As the nation marks both National Small Business Week (May 3 – May 9), and National Small Business Month this May, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) , the nation's leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, is reaffirming its commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and guidance they need to succeed on the journey to self-employment.
“Access to capital is not just a financial issue — it is the difference between a dream and a thriving, successful business,” said Keith Hall , president and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) , the nation's leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses. “Small business owners are resilient, resourceful, and determined, but even the most capable entrepreneur cannot grow without the right resources behind them. Our job is to ensure they have every tool, every resource, and every advantage they need to turn their dream of owning their own small business into reality. National Small Business Month is our opportunity to celebrate them and remind them we are here to support them becoming their own boss.”
report bypassing traditional banks for capital as owners increasingly turn to non-bank lenders, alternative financing, and creative funding solutions to meet their working capital needs. That demand for capital is not slowing down: nearly 26% of small business owners plan to make a capital expenditure in the next three to six months, up from 21% in the same period last year and a post-pandemic high — a clear signal that optimism is translating into real investment, not just sentiment. Meanwhile, access to credit has emerged as the leading factor shaping small business strategy in 2026, cited by 46% of owners — surpassing even consumer spending trends and interest rates — underscoring just how central funding access has become to the self-employed community's path forward.
Keith has made capital access education a priority for the community, sharing his insights and expert guidance as part of a joint USA Today/Mediaplanet campaign and a PBS Next Avenue feature. His top advice for small business owners looking to strengthen their funding position includes:
B uild lender relationships early : Don't wait until you need capital; sit down with a community banker from the start, share your business plan and projections, and establish a relationship before you're in need. Protect and maintain your credit score : Lenders check your credit first; paying bills on time and actively managing your score is one of the most direct steps toward securing a loan when you need it.Keep your business organized and insured: Clean financial records, a solid business plan, and proper insurance coverage — including disability and accident policies — signal to lenders that your business is on a path to success and that short-term disruptions won't derail repayment. To help the entire self-employed community thrive and succeed — members and non-members alike — NASE offers a robust suite of resources available both freely and exclusively through membership. Its comprehensive website provides free expert guidance on tax strategies, financial planning, and the day-to-day realities of operating a small business, while the NASE Minute video series delivers quick, actionable tips from in-house experts on everything from accounting and marketing to AI tools and operations. For members, the Growth Grants and Dependent Scholarships programs provide direct access to capital and educational funding, and the Ask the Experts program connects owners with specialists across tax, legal, marketing, and business strategy for personalized, one-on-one guidance.
“Whether it’s opening a new small business or already your own boss, we are committed to supporting journey through self-employment every step of the way,” Hall concluded.
To Speak with Keith Hall about the small business community, please contact Kristofer Eisenla at [email protected]
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The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, offering a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy.
The NASE NextBizThing helps identify and connect our nation’s smallest businesses. Need small business help? Check out NASE’s Ask the Experts for advice or the NASE Minute for small business support. To help new and existing business owners with the costs of business ownership, the NASE also offers a series of financial calculators for budgeting and financial analysis. Members can also apply for Growth Grants of up to $4,000 to fund specific business needs and Dependent Scholarships of up to $3,000 to support their families' educational goals.
The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's website at NASE.org