About

Mission

MSA champions the voices of small business owners to create a thriving economy. We cultivate a network of entrepreneurs, connecting them with resources to build sustainable enterprises. Our membership drives state and federal policymaking that gives a fair shot to small businesses and strengthens communities nationwide.

Vision

We envision an America where an informed coalition of entrepreneurs leads a more inclusive economic policy conversation.

We see Main Street thrive when entrepreneurs educate one another on the best practices that drive sustainability—and educate lawmakers on the policies that keep local markets competitive.

We build an America where the voices of the smallest businesses—from sole proprietors to growing enterprises—are uplifted to reshape the economy.

History

Main Streeters know what is best for Main Street. It is a value we have modeled at MSA since our founding in 2006, when small business owners in Maine, Washington, Oregon, and a few other states united to advocate for healthcare reform. The campaign shed light on the power of small business organizing and the need for Main Street voices in policy discussions.

In 2008, MSA brought multiple healthcare advocacy cohorts under one roof—aligning the efforts of the Maine People’s Alliance, the Alliance for a Just Society, and Health Care for America Now (HCAN) to drive the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—one of our most significant victories to date.
We leveraged the momentum from that movement to galvanize our small business coalition in the wake of the financial crisis. Pioneering our dynamic and responsive approach to power-building, we began supporting small business organizing through an expansive sub-granting program. During that period, we also grew our network of state-level organizers and began hosting house meetings and messaging seminars with engaged entrepreneurs across the country.
In 2020, our coalition helped pass the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act, as our members encouraged lawmakers to support the thousands of small business owners that were struggling to survive at the height of the pandemic. That advocacy push helped us evolve into a membership organization, which has enabled us to distill our organizing resources and coordinate advocacy more effectively.
In states across the country, MSA worked hard to ensure that the American Rescue Plan and CARES act were implemented effectively. In Wisconsin, for example, MSA engaged the state legislature and the Governor’s office during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local entrepreneurs. The push resulted in $1.3 billion dollars being spent directly on small business support—the highest investment per capita of any state in the country.
In 2023, our alliance won statewide paid leave in Minnesota, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to advocating for policies that benefit small business owners and their employees.
Today, MSA continues to power the conversations and create the space entrepreneurs need to fight for a more fair and dynamic economy.

Approach

When small business owners speak, people listen. Entrepreneurs are some of the most credible messengers in communities across America, so equipping business owners with the information and resources to build sustainable enterprises and shape pro-Main Street economic policy comes with outsized returns for local economies.

MSA brings 16+ years of organizing expertise to our active campaigns—and hundreds of lessons learned. Our members have taught us that successful campaigns combine research-backed legislation with activated coalitions and engaged elected officials. This understanding undergirds our advocacy efforts and helps MSA determine how we can best support our small business owners’ policy pushes.

We see states as “laboratories of democracy” that ultimately inform federal policymaking. We leverage digital advocacy to power the small business owner conversations that make local economies more vibrant.

What we do:

Conduct internal polling for insights into entrepreneurs’ needs and challenges;
Activate small businesses as gathering spots and conversation hubs for base-building;
Empower and train small business owners around advocating for Main Street and navigating legislative processes;
Host house meetings, roundtables, town halls and fly-ins to drive good faith exchanges between citizens, entrepreneurs and lawmakers;
Connect small business owners with enterprise-sustaining resources and peer-to-peer best practice-sharing
Pioneer a digital advocacy strategy that brings entrepreneurs into resonance with our mission.

Inclusive Organizing

At the heart of MSA’s organizing is a commitment to meaningful engagement: our approach to community building which recognizes that everyone brings unique wisdom and expertise to our coalition. The lived experiences of our small business members informs our organizing and galvanizes our network. MSA members know that they can depend on our community of practice for kinship—in addition to best-practice sharing and
targeted advocacy.

Moreover, our national small business advocacy network is unwaveringly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because we recognize the historical injustices that have systematically denied marginalized communities access to entrepreneurial capital. These communities have faced significant barriers in obtaining the financial resources and opportunities necessary to start and grow their businesses. By fostering an inclusive environment that champions diverse voices, we aim to rectify these disparities and ensure that all entrepreneurs—regardless of their background—have equitable access to the support and capital they need. This commitment is not only a moral imperative but also essential for fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and building a more just and prosperous society. Our dedication to these principles empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs, promotes economic resilience, and helps to create a vibrant and inclusive business landscape for all.