This is exchanges of Goldman Sachs when we discuss developments currently shaping markets, industries, and the global economy.

I'm Jake Stewart, global head of corporate communications here at the firm.

Today we're going to talk about how small businesses in the US are faring now that

we're headed into year two of the pandemic, God forbid.

We'll start the episode hearing from Joe Wall, who works with me here at Goldman Sachs

in the Office of Government Affairs.

Joe's going to give us an overview of a survey we recently conducted of nearly 1,300 Goldman Sachs small business

participants or entrepreneurs. They answered questions about PPP funding, access to capital,

affordable health care, and the personal toll of COVID-19 and much, much more.

Then we'll hear directly from two small business owners themselves to talk about how those

themes are playing out for them personally.

We're joined by Brent Beves of Smoky Johns Barbecue

in Texas and Jo Ellen Hockenborough

of Providence Power Yoga.

Both Brent and Jo Ellen are graduates

of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small businesses program.

Joe Brent and Joe Ellen, welcome to the program.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for having us.

All right. Before we get to the entrepreneurs, Joe, talk a little bit about the survey that I just mentioned. This is not the first survey we've done, but the latest. What did the entrepreneurs who are running these small businesses have to say about the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their businesses and what do they need to keep the lights on right now?

Thank you, Jake. This is actually the seventh survey we've done dating back to last March so we've been sort of doing

tracking you know every six to eight weeks or so to keep an eye on the small businesses and also measure

you know the various relief programs that have been put in place.

...