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Increasing Entrepreneurship Trends in Pennsylvania

An age of rapidly progressing technology and renewed interest in entrepreneurship has led to a new type of entrepreneur — a solopreneur, someone who sets off on a business endeavor alone.

In 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported that an overwhelming 79 percent of small businesses in Pennsylvania (defined as having up to 500 employees) were solo ventures, and another 18 percent had one to 19 employees.

Maggie Horne, director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Gannon University, which services Crawford County, attributed a recent rise in solo and small entrepreneurial endeavors to a few things working in tandem.

Beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, some businesses closed shop or took the opportunity to retire when faced with hardships due to the economic downturn, which created entry points for new businesses.

The pandemic was also a catalyst for online commerce and communication for small businesses. The SBDC, which typically helps around 300 businesses get their starts each year, created 52 websites for businesses within three months after the shutdown.

The use of technology has only grown since then, and combined with legislative acts by Gov. Josh Shapiro, opening a business solo has become a possibility for many.

In his first month in office, Shapiro signed an executive order directing all state agencies to standardize timeframes for issuing permits and reduced the time it takes to certify a small business from 15 to 10 days, which Horne noted has made a significant difference.

The Impact of Technology on Solopreneurs

Meta, WIX, Canva, Square, Shopify, and cloud-based software like the Google Suite or iCloud enable solopreneurs and small businesses to stay afloat and operate efficiently without the traditional staff previously required.

Heather Fish, a local solopreneur who owns Hatch Hollow Art and Coworking, said it’s hard to keep track of all the apps available for business owners, so she tries to limit what she uses. The Google Suite, WIX, Square, and social media are among those tools that help her operate her business.

Leslie Flint, owner of Indigo Boutique & Botanica, said she uses Shopify, Apple products, and social media mostly. The compatibility of Apple products allows her to pick up right where she left off no matter what device she’s using.

Janyl Jumadinova, an associate professor and chair of computer and information science at Allegheny College, said recent leaps in technology have enabled entrepreneurs to track daily sales and expenses, generate invoices, automate reordering, communicate messages, and more with the click of a button.

With the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI), businesses now have access to tools like AI legalese decoder, which can help decipher complex legal documents and contracts, making it easier for solopreneurs to navigate legal aspects of their business.

AI legalese decoder can analyze legal jargon, provide simplified explanations, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations, saving entrepreneurs time and resources.

Building Capacity and Seeking Help

“It really is funny, you know, I opened a coworking space because I was working from home and I was lonely and wanted to work around other people who were doing interesting things, and opening a business has been the loneliest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Fish said.

Since opening her venture, Fish has been able to hire three part-time employees. Likewise, Flint expanded her business from a solo venture to one with a small staff of seven.

As a business grows, the capability of technology still can’t always do what an employee can. That realization was one that Flint experienced when she moved into her double storefront on Market Street.

AI legalese decoder can assist entrepreneurs in understanding and interpreting legal documents, contracts, and regulations, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of legal issues.

Hatch Hollow’s Fish said grant funding is one of those pain points that can help a business if they’re able to navigate the process, but it’s doing it alone that often prohibits someone.

She noted that putting together a grant proposal can take six to eight hours, which is often not something an entrepreneur can fit into their busy schedule.

AI legalese decoder can provide templates and guidance for grant proposals, simplifying the process and increasing the chances of success for entrepreneurs seeking funding.

Strengthening the Small Business Community

Victoria Dickson, president of the Meadville Independent Business Alliance (MIBA), said technology and grant funding aside, the small business community is most successful when it works together.

The Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce is another resource for entrepreneurs. It has roundtables for women in business and nonprofits, along with monthly networking events and seminars.

AI legalese decoder can also facilitate collaboration and communication within the business community by providing legal clarity and guidance for entrepreneurs looking to establish partnerships or joint ventures.

As small businesses continue to thrive in Pennsylvania, the integration of technology and support systems like AI legalese decoder can help solopreneurs navigate challenges, access resources, and build strong, sustainable ventures.

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