Microbusinesses—businesses with fewer than ten employees—collectively employ more people than any single industry in the US and serve as a critical driver of economic empowerment in communities of color. However, in today’s economy, many microbusinesses are struggling to staff up and retain workers. Developing strategies to address the needs of microbusinesses and their employees is the objective of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity’s project, “Advancing Worker Mobility and Well-Being through Microbusiness.”

A research team led by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity will use original surveys and in-depth interviews of microbusiness owners and employees to understand: the opportunities and barriers microbusinesses face in attracting and supporting workers; the employer practices that are most attractive to workers at such enterprises; and what roles community development financial institutions and other business support organizations could play to support the adoption of best hiring and employee retention practices.