HONG EXAMINER – November 2025
Monthly Newsletter of Hong Consulting, LLC.
I had the opportunity and pleasure of taking part in the 10,000 Small Business (10KSB) Summit hosted by Goldman Sachs from October 29th – 30th. Over 2,200 small businesses from around the country participated. The goal of the summit was to amplify the voices of small businesses by coming together. It is easy for legislators to ignore the plight of an individual business. It is harder to ignore the largest gathering of small business owners in the United States.[1]
Small business owners from all 50 states met with our members of Congress to raise issues that are affecting our ability to prosper (ex. uncertain regulatory environment and access to capital). The meetings gave us an opportunity to build stronger connections with our legislators that will exist beyond the summit. It also allowed us to network with fellow alumni of the 10KSB program, giving us a network of over 10,000 businesses to rely on and work with. For more information about the 10KSB program, please click on the following link: https://10ksbapply.com/.
The reason I bring this experience up is to encourage other business owners to take up advocacy. In these uncertain times, it is vitally important we advocate for our businesses, profession, and clients. No one else is going to do it for us. No lobbyist is going to be as effective at telling your story as you are. The outcome of the changes happening in our politics and regulations will determine if your businesses and clients can thrive.
The federal government shutdown, interruptions to SNAP benefits, cancelling of federal grants and funding, and reduced access to healthcare all need political and regulatory solutions. We need a seat at the table to ensure that future laws are fair and fit for purpose.
Advocacy need not only be at the federal level. Reach out to your state representatives. Testify on a bill that matters to you. Get involved in a professional organization like the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSPCA) or a not-for-profit that is advocating for changes you want to see. Advocacy takes many different forms and the only barrier to entry is the time you put into it.
[1] “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses to Host Largest Summit of Small Business Owners in the U.S.”, Goldman Sachs, 2025-09-24, https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2025/10000-small-businesses-summit. Press Release.
