In the first few years of business, small companies come up against many different problems. And – you’ve probably guessed it – some are harder than others to overcome. According to Shopify, the average annual business rate of business failure from 2019 to 2023 (for companies started only half a decade ago) is a scarily small 12.1%. This means that between 2018 and now, starting a small business hasn’t been the easiest task; if anything, it tells us that maintaining a business is a hell of a lot harder than starting one.
In the first few years of business, small companies come up against a lot of different challenges. Some are harder than others to overcome — and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of small businesses fail by the end of their first year. By the end of their fifth year, 50% go under; and by the tenth year, that number rises to 80%.
In the first few years of business, small companies come up against a lot of different challenges. Some are harder than others to overcome — and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of small businesses fail by the end of their first year. By the end of their fifth year, 50% go under; and by the tenth year, that number rises to 80%.