When Amy Wood started Flint Avenue, LLC, she knew firsthand the challenges of small business ownership. Today, her journey has led her beyond running a successful business; she’s become a powerful advocate for small businesses nationwide. Recently recognized as the 2024 Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year by the National Small Business Association (NSBA), Amy’s dedication to her community and the broader small business community has never been more evident.
We sat down with Amy last month to talk about all things small business – how she became a small business owner herself, how her innate entrepreneurial drive has shaped her professional life, how her desire to be more than simply a service provider led to initial advocacy efforts, and where she plans to focus in the future to ensure that her fellow small business owners can thrive and grow.
Early Entrepreneurial Spirit and Founding Flint Avenue
Amy’s entrepreneurial journey began early—her first “business” was a neighborhood flyer campaign at age 8, offering her services as a “rent-a-kid.” This inventive spirit and belief in the American dream carried her through multiple business ventures throughout her early career and paved the way for Flint Avenue. Amy founded Flint Avenue after working for a consulting firm and realizing that if her boss and mentor at the time could do this, so could she!
Running a business taught her the powerful role small businesses play in local economies. Small businesses make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and, in 2022 alone, created 1.9 million net jobs. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Amy noted. “Their success contributes to vibrant communities and stronger economic growth. When I saw businesses struggling during the pandemic, it sparked my desire to take action and advocate on their behalf.”
The Path to Advocacy
Amy’s advocacy work didn’t begin with an explicit goal of lobbying in Washington. “I realized I had been doing advocacy work all along,” she recalls. From helping local businesses strategize for holiday sales to mentoring others on business challenges, Amy’s involvement grew from her natural inclination to uplift fellow entrepreneurs. However, her perspective on the scope of these challenges—and the importance of policy change—expanded when she joined Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses Program. There, she connected with small business owners nationwide who shared similar struggles, regardless of region.
Through this program, Amy saw firsthand the disconnect between small business needs and policy. “There’s a huge disparity,” she noted. “Large companies can afford entire teams to fight for their interests, while small businesses are left navigating costly compliance, from reporting requirements to overtime laws.” This is particularly challenging as nearly half of small business owners work over 50 hours a week, making balancing business demands and advocacy an ongoing challenge.
Amy’s involvement with the NSBA soon deepened as she realized the critical need for small business owners’ voices to be heard in policy discussions. As part of the NSBA Board of Trustees, she now represents the collective concerns of 70,000 small businesses across the country, giving her a clear view of the widespread issues they face.
Winning the Advocate of the Year Award
For Amy, winning the NSBA’s Advocate of the Year Award was an empowering moment. “Initially, I felt imposter syndrome—like they’d take it back any minute,” she shared, laughing. But as she reflected on her years of championing small businesses, from hosting workshops to helping companies navigate remote work, Amy recognized the impact of her work. With over 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S., representing them through advocacy has far-reaching effects, going beyond individual success stories to empower and validate their importance on a national level.
Why Small Businesses Matter
Small businesses are integral to the U.S. economy, employing nearly 47% of the private workforce and driving approximately two-thirds of new job creation. Yet, Amy is acutely aware of the misconceptions that persist. “People often think small business owners have it easy or that entrepreneurship is all about freedom,” she explained. “But the reality is a constant balancing act with enormous responsibility.”
Amy’s commitment to Flint Avenue’s clients, many of whom are small business owners, reflects her mission to amplify their stories and needs. “If we can band together, our collective voice can be powerful,” she emphasized. This philosophy underpins Flint Avenue’s 2025 “Amplify” campaign, aimed at encouraging small business owners to share their experiences and advocate for meaningful change.
Looking Ahead
As Amy continues her role on the NSBA Board of Trustees, her goal is clear: to amplify the voices of small businesses, especially those in underserved or rural communities. “If I can do this, so can other business owners,” she said. “Your story matters, and when we all speak up, change happens.”
For small business owners looking to get involved in advocacy, Amy’s advice is simple: “Start small. Join your local chamber, connect with others, and don’t be afraid to tell your story. Advocacy doesn’t require fancy words—just an honest account of what it’s like to run a small business in today’s world.”
Amy also plans to continue supporting legislative changes that make a meaningful difference for small businesses facing today’s challenges, from inflation and workforce shortages to compliance and policy. Her vision for the future is one where small business voices are amplified, helping shape a fairer and more resilient economic landscape for all.