NASE in the News

NASE President & CEO Comments on Pew Research Study Showing Self-Employed Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2021
CONTACT:  Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA media
kristofer@lunaeisenlamedia.com | 202-670-5747 (mobile)

Record Growth of American’s Entering Entrepreneurship has “Radically Transformed” Economic Future of the Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The self-employed workforce has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Pew Research Study conducted earlier this month, stronger than other parts of the workforce. American small business community continues to adapt and innovate throughout the ongoing pandemic. It has radically shifted the state of the American small business community, transforming the way we do business and has shaped a new, post-pandemic economy.

“The Pew Research Study is not surprising and speaks to the resiliency and strength of the self-employed workforce,” said Keith Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community.  “The coronavirus pandemic has radically transformed the face of American entrepreneurship and the way the small business community conducts its business. While many were forced out of their jobs as business’ closed doors during the pandemic, many made a life choice to take the leap opening their own small business and becoming their own boss. These new entrepreneurs represent the true American spirit of our nation and the future of our country’s economic prosperity.”

“As we move forward into the new legislative year, America’s small business community will need our lawmakers to continue to level the playing field on their behalf.  The American worker has made their voice heard with their feet, leaving W-2 employment and entering self-employment in record numbers.  Our laws and regulations must grow along with these economic changes to support existing, and new, small business owners by enabling them to grow and lift our economy into the future,” said Hall.

Hall recently spoke with Inc.com about the study and the state of the small business community, specifically the nation’s self-employed and micro-businesses.

The Pew Research Study found:

“A new Pew Research Center analysis of government data finds that the COVID-19 recession, which curtailed business operations for public health reasons, had a similar impact on employment levels among both those who are and are not self-employed. However, the recovery has been stronger for self-employed workers. At the same time, hiring by the self-employed has fallen since 2019, with the cutbacks emanating mainly from businesses run by men.

“The number of self-employed workers actively at work rebounded strongly in the economic recovery, increasing by 17.6% from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021. This was sufficient to raise the number of self-employed to 14.9 million, restoring it to 2019 levels. However, employment among the remaining workers actively at work has not yet recovered to its pre-recession level, standing at 131.4 million in the second quarter of 2021 – still 5.9 million (4.3%) short of its level in 2019.”

Keith Hall, President and Chief Executive Officerof the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE),is available to discuss:

• The overall impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the small business community.

• The new business environment and economy shaped by the pandemic.

• How small businesses adapt and innovate during the pandemic.

• The success and challenges of the Payroll Protection Program.

• The future of the small business community post-pandemic.

• The benefits of choosing self-employment.

• Things to consider when starting your own business.

NASE conducted a survey of its membership about the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) indicating an overwhelming majority of these owners of businesses with fewer than 10 employees believe the government should do more for the American small business community. Hall also penned an op-ed in The Hill imploring our elected leaders in Washington to come together to support our nation’s small business community on issues ranging from COVID relief to affordable health care and ensuring tax equity and fairness.

To speak with Keith Hall or other small business experts, contact Kristofer Eisenla at kristofer@lunaeisenlamedia.com

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 Next Biz Thing 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.

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