"Well, it’s both … and I know that’s sort of a cop-out answer. But let me look at both sides of that," says Dr. Walden, an economics professor at N.C. State University.

"It’s easier on one hand because of technology. Technology is making the management and marketing for small businesses much easier," he explains. "Small businesses now have access to computer programs and Internet programs that allow them to do things that only a few years ago just the big companies could do.

"Also I think in today’s fast-paced world a lot of small businesses can often take advantage of market opportunities easier and better than big companies can because those small businesses can move more rapidly," he adds. "On the other hand, it’s harder because I think competition is harder today, and margins for businesses -– that is, the profit rates -- are much smaller. And oftentimes those big companies can out-compete small companies with lower margins.

"It’s still a tough road for small businesses," he concludes, "but I think there are more opportunities."