Anyone can start a business.

Fill out a few forms. Get the necessary permits or licenses. Advertise in some way, shape, or form.

Running a successful business, though, is an entirely different story.

For example, in the United States roughly 9% of businesses both new and old close each year. On the flip side, only 8% are opened. We’re losing more than we’re gaining for the first time since those statistics have been tracked, and the crossover coincided with the recession of 2007-2009.

Source: Capterra

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the overall number of business applications began to recover in late 2009 and has been trending up for the past ten years. That’s good.