Businesses with fewer than 100 employees account for 98 percent of all businesses in the United States, about two-thirds of the nation's jobs, and one-third of its gross national product. . They're also a big part of the action in many industries: half of the revenue in the travel industry, for example, and a third in the telecommunications industry, at $80 billion and $57 billion, respectively. . In other words, small businesses are big businesses. Merrill Lynch realized the potential of small (and mid-sized) businesses in the early 1980s, when it created a division to focus on their needs. Other companies are also realizing the importance of serving this market effectively as aggressive growth and revenue targets intensify competition for larger customers. Ameritech, Federal Express, Wells Fargo, KeyCorp, and Dell are among the companies that have increased their revenues and profits by finding ways to target, attract, and retain small customers (Davis). As I also stated above, not only do America's small businesses provide many jobs, but they also help keep communities together. As Mary Loden said, the cycle always continues