In this annual series, Barnes Reports ranks the most popular small business industries to help entrepreneurs decide which type of company they should start today. This book asks the question: which is a better choice - starting a small business based on your abilities and passion or based on the industries' average performance and profitability over time? The answer is that entrepreneurs too often choose businesses based on their work experience and dreams rather than financial factors such as profitability and sales growth. These financial factors will ultimately provide business owners with the means to achieve the end goals they desire - flexible schedules, preferred lifestyle choices, immediate financial returns, and successful retirement plans. ¶ Barnes Reports benchmarks over 700 small businesses, including: ¶ -Retailers (clothing stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, etc.) ¶ -Manufacturers (breweries, snack food mfg., printing, furniture mfg., etc.) ¶ -Professional Services (law firms, consulting services, veterinary offices, etc.) ¶ -Health Care (physicians' offices, dentists' offices, medical laboratories, etc.) ¶ -Accommodations & Food Services (hotels, restaurants, catering, etc.) ¶ -Construction & Real Estate (plumbing, carpentry, realtors' offices, etc.) ¶ -Education (professional training, technical schools, tutoring, etc.) ¶ The 100 Most Profitable Small Businesses in the United States is an essential tool for any entrepreneur who is ready to start down the road toward self-determination, independence and financial success.