Shops, family firms and online companies. We've got them all in Sunderland.
And with Small Business Saturday on the way, we are celebrating with a look at some of the little firms which have made industry tick on Wearside.
Have a look at these 9 Sunderland Echo retro photos which show a tiny selection of the impressive business scene we have enjoyed in the city over the years.
2. Flashback to 2016
Matty Thoburn of Thoburns Fruit and Veg taking part in the Small Business Saturday event in 2016.
3. A study on the past
Fiona Hall, MEP, was assessing the impact of the recession on Sunderland's small businesses in 2009. Here she is with Coun Paul Dixon and entrepreneur Benny John.
4. Taking you back to 2005
Ian Ward and Colin Reed of Charisma Cosmetics which reached the finals of a national small business competition in 2005.