Small Business Resilience: Success, Opportunities, and Challenges

As communities face increased risks of natural disasters and other global threats, it’s crucial that small businesses are prepared for unexpected events and take steps to build resilience for the day it is needed most.  Small businesses are the backbone of our nation, employing nearly half of America's private sector workforce. Ensuring their resilience is not just about protecting individual businesses but safeguarding our economy.    

During the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 2025 Building Resilience Conference, the Foundation’s Shanique Streete moderated a conversation with Small Business Administration’s Chris Stallings and Fiserv's Jim Kelly that focused on three main themes: the critical need for small business disaster preparedness, the importance of proactive planning and action, and the role that partnerships and data play in supporting small businesses. 

The Critical Need for Small Business Disaster Preparedness and the Existing Gap 

According to a recent survey from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, 94% of small businesses believe they are ready to handle disasters, but only 26% have an actual disaster plan in place. Streete emphasized, "When businesses aren't prepared, this has devastating consequences for the economic stability of our communities." 

Jim Kelly underscored the importance of small businesses in the broader economic landscape, stating:

Chris Stallings echoed these sentiments, stressing the SBA’s commitment to disaster survivors. "Our goal is 72 hours to have our team on the ground after a declaration," Stallings said, highlighting the importance of rapid response and community engagement. 

The Importance of Proactive Planning and Action 

It’s imperative for small businesses to have contingency plans in place. “You talk about some of the statistics that you began the presentation with—94% think that they can respond—but when it actually happens, so many people are planning for the first time," Kelly emphasized. 

Even simple steps can make a significant difference. "In emergency management, we had a saying: the only thing more difficult than preparing for disaster is explaining why you didn't," Stallings remarked. He recommended that businesses develop a continuity of operations plan, even if it is as basic as writing down key information like where to find the keys or passwords. 

Taking proactive measures during "blue sky days" is far more effective than reactive measures taken during "gray sky moments."

Leveraging Partnerships and Data for Support 

Establishing partnerships and cultivating those relationships is a key element to sparking community engagement before, during, and after disasters strike. Stallings highlighted the role of partnerships in disaster recovery, particularly with local chambers of commerce and local emergency managers. "Having those connections and working with our partnerships allow us to turn on those resources faster," he said.  

Data also plays an important role in supporting small businesses during crisis. For example, the Fiserv Small Business Index provides real-time data from millions of small businesses across the U.S. at no cost. Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the index helped track the recovery of businesses and identify areas that needed additional support. 

Forging partnerships, building trust with key stakeholders, and knowing where to get reliable information before a disaster is critical to ensuring effective response efforts and building more resilient communities. "You can't build a good relationship in the middle of a crisis," Kelly stated.