# Nearly a quarter of Americans run or are trying to run a business

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/money/nearly-a-quarter-of-americans-run-or-are-trying-to-run-a-business/

> Indexed question in Money & Finance.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 12 to 18, 2026. 23.1% of Americans are trying to start a business or are an owner-manager, including self-employment and selling goods or services.

The remaining 76.9% say neither description applies. The question combines people starting a business with current owner-managers, so it does not provide a separate count for either group.

## Topline

Are you, alone or with others, currently trying to start a new business, including any self-employment or selling any goods or services to others, or currently the owner-manager of a business that you help run?

Nearly a quarter of Americans run or are trying to run a business.

- No: 76.9%
- Yes: 23.1%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-08-12 → 2026-08-18
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: AOM Survey #2026-152
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-13](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-13)

## Citation

AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-13](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-13)