Money vs. Happiness

Manta-Dell Study Reveals Unique Insights Into Small Business Ownership and the Life of an Entrepreneur

COLUMBUS, OH and ROUND ROCK, TX--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2014) - A new study from Manta, the largest online community dedicated to small business, and Dell, a worldwide provider of innovative technology and business solutions, reveals that money is not the main driver for small business success. The joint research, which surveyed more than 3,000 members of Manta's small business community, found that personal achievement (37 percent) outranked financial stability (28 percent) as the top motivation behind becoming a successful business owner. 

Recognition is a clear motivator for business owners with 29 percent reporting their proudest business moment was the first time their company received an award. Repeat business also proves to be a significant factor in the life of small business owner -- nearly four in ten (37 percent) entrepreneurs say their first repeat customer was the most important milestone for their business.

Behind the Scenes: The Role of Technology for Small Business
Many significant small business "firsts" and major milestones revolve around technology. Over half (53 percent) of small business owners' first technology investment was a desktop or laptop computer, outranking a printer, scanner or fax (13 percent) and smartphone (9 percent). Of the many accomplishments business owners achieve throughout their lifecycle, over half (54 percent) say launching their business website was their most significant technology milestone.

"Small businesses are a critical component of our economy and are the building blocks of business growth, which is why Dell is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with support every step of the way," said Jennifer Warner, Director of Small Business Marketing at Dell. "By collaborating with Manta, a true expert in small business, we're able to fuel small business innovation by providing technologies that align with long-term goals of entrepreneurs."

Most Promising Technologies
When it comes to technologies that align with long-term goals, entrepreneurs believe that mobile and social technologies hold the most promise for their small business. More than four in ten (41 percent) believe new social media platforms will have the biggest impact on their business and nearly a third (32 percent) believe mobile technology will. Wearable technology isn't expected to have an impact on the small business community, as only four percent think technology like Google Glass will support their business needs.