- Small businesses often offer opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects and see the direct results of your efforts.
- They can offer a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment, where innovation and creative problem-solving are encouraged.
- Discover the advantages of working for a small business and some of the factors that can lead to accelerated career growth.
When it comes to dream places to work, many job seekers are quick to point to big companies — the marquee names that everybody knows. But today’s job seekers want more than just name recognition out of their careers. Glassdoor research shows that employees want to work for companies that align with their values and beliefs.
You might not always find that match at a huge corporation — but you could be a little more likely to find it at a small business. Leaner teams and less bureaucracy can mean small businesses have an easier time remaining purpose-driven and true to their values.
With Small Business Saturday quickly approaching, we’re shining a light on how small businesses drive success. We’re also sharing a few reasons why you might consider growing your career at a small business.
Small business, big values
Small businesses are started by people who have big dreams — that was the repeated sentiment among responses to a recent Glassdoor Bowls™ Startups and Entrepreneurship thread:
- “It was a lifelong dream of mine.”
- “Realizing that my dreams wouldn’t be fulfilled by being an employee.”
- “In every case, I saw a need.”
- “I stopped having dreams and started having plans.”
Small businesses are born out of passion and drive, and those more often than not don’t fade as the business and team grow. If anything, they gain even more steam as more people come on board to share that vision and embody those values.
“Proliant lives our core values daily through our interactions, conversations, and questions we ask,” says Kim Herman, director of marketing at Proliant, a Glassdoor Best Places to Work (BPTW) 2023 company in the small to mid-sized business category. “At Proliant, you don’t go out of your way to demonstrate core values — you naturally live and breathe them every day.”
“Our values truly serve as our North Star here at Turo,” adds Lorie Boyd, Chief People Officer at Turo, another company on the BPTW 2023 list.
Why employees love small businesses
For smaller businesses, company values are their guiding principles — not lip service or a shiny marketing strategy. That means employees feel them too.
“Proliant values and rewards those who look for opportunities to advance the company’s mission,” says one current employee in a Glassdoor review.
Many of Turo’s company reviews also specifically mention the company’s values. “I think the people here really exemplify the company's core values; most importantly being down to earth and supportive,” writes one current employee.
At a large company, the mission and values might be painted on the conference room wall or showcased on the careers page. But at a small business, they’re more likely to be integrated into the daily work and serve as the heartbeat of the company.
Think small (business) when growing your career
An emphasis on values is a major perk of working for a small business. But that’s only the start. Here are a few other unique benefits of starting or growing your career as a small business employee:
- Make an impact: In a smaller organization, your work doesn’t get siloed or lost. It’s easier to see the meaning and impact of your contributions.
- Have a voice: Small businesses are better able to listen to their employees and use their insights and opinions to shape things like benefits, processes, and the overall company culture.
- Build your skills: Because small businesses are scrappy, employees have far more opportunities to wear different hats and take on all sorts of projects and challenges. You won’t be boxed into a rigid org chart and will have more opportunities to learn new things and hone your skills.
- Stay flexible: Being small means less bureaucracy and red tape. Small businesses are more nimble and adaptable. That means less waiting or hoops to jump through if and when a change needs to happen.
Small business, big difference
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy — and they’re also great places to work. They’re values-driven and provide plenty of opportunities for employees to build their careers and make a meaningful difference.
So on this Small Business Saturday, here’s to the successful small businesses of the world. Whether you run one, purchase from one, support one, work for one, or all of the above, take some time to recognize that it’s ultimately small businesses that can make a big difference.
Find your next big role at a small company. Check out the small to mid-sized businesses on our Best Places to Work 2023 list.