Entrepreneurs who agree or strongly agree that "now is a good time to start a business" reached 76.9% in June, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and showing the highest reading in survey history. Further, a record 34.6% want to launch their businesses in the next month. FranchiseInsights.com compiles monthly the Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ (SSI) of individuals who have recently inquired about businesses for sale.

The most recent Startup Sentiment Index™ survey was conducted June 24-30, 2021, as U.S. adult vaccination rates exceeded 67% and travelers filled airports and roadways in anticipation of a long holiday weekend.  

Additional highlights:

• Future business conditions:Respondents see further improvement ahead, with 53.2% of respondents believing that, in three months, business conditions will be "better" or "much better" than now.
• Access to funding: The percentage of entrepreneurs concerned over acquiring adequate funding was reduced, with those seeing funding "harder or much harder" to obtain dropping to 29.7% in June from 34.7% the prior month. 
• Demographics: 46.3% of respondents are currently employed full time, down from 56.1% in May, and 20.6% are current business owners. Gen-X (45.1%) and Gen-Y (33.7%) are the largest age cohorts, while "Baby Boomers" follow at 18.5%.

"The startup sentiments of aspiring business owners have fully recovered," says Hunter Stokes, president of FranchiseVentures. "A higher percentage than even before the pandemic perceive this to be a good time, and they are ready to get started."

Download a copy of the June 2021 SSI report here. See excerpts from prior SSI™ surveys and subscribe to receive the Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ monthly report when it is released.

The Small Business Startup Sentiment Index™ is based on a monthly survey of individuals who have recently inquired about businesses or franchises for sale on the digital assets of FranchiseVentures.