Small businesses certainly have big horizons when it comes to peddling their wares. And, if sales revenues are any indication, small companies seem more than equipped to meet foreign demand. Almost a third of total U.S. export sales in 1997 came from small companies. During the past five years, the total value of small business exports has tripled.
Services are really strong, for example, because they have fewer capital needs.
The benefits extend beyond the obvious, says the SBA's Wilfong. Super-size your sales. Exporting your product or service will expand your customer base geographically, giving your business the opportunity to build market share, increase sales and market your brand name to a greater number of people. Sharpen your skills. Competing on a global scale can strengthen your business skills because you're forced to make your product and business better than the competition.