The move toward small-business ownership has been dramatic and sharp. Each month new firms move into new markets, offer new products, develop new product lines, and increase their sales. The older, more densely populated portions of the settlement, which face the greatest land and population pressures, have the most enterprises. In one district near the heart of the settlement, almost half of all Amish households own a business. These part-time, or sideline, businesses provide extra cash throughout the year or on a seasonal basis on family farms.
Some firms employ up to fifteen people, although two to six employees is more common.
The financial scope of Amish commerce varies, as well. Amish shops produce an amazing variety of products and services. Smaller wood products, such as doghouses, birdhouses, cupolas, picnic tables, and lawn furniture, also flow from Amish shops. The small storage sheds widely distributed in several states are another popular product of Amish carpentry shops. One shop makes about 4,000 storage sheds a year.