PENNSYLVANIA— As inflation, labor shortages, and economic uncertainty continue to buffet small and mid-sized companies, a new survey suggests Pennsylvania business owners are holding fast to something far more enduring than quarterly profits: a deeply rooted business culture built on identity, skill, and long-term trust.
A study by financial media company MarketBeat, based on responses from 3,002 business owners, found that the single most valued trait of doing business in Pennsylvania is the state’s strong regional identities — a patchwork of local cultures that shape how commerce is conducted from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between.
Those regional differences, the survey found, are not seen as a weakness but as a strength, reinforcing expectations of professionalism, reliability and expertise across industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to engineering and manufacturing.
Behind that defining trait came four others that together form what many respondents described as the backbone of Pennsylvania’s commercial character: deep pools of skilled and specialized labor, a culture rooted in long-standing industries, a long view toward stability and legacy, and a practical, process-oriented approach to running a business.
The findings suggest that, even as national conversations are dominated by disruption and rapid innovation, Pennsylvania companies continue to prioritize durability and competence over flash.
That mindset was reinforced when owners were asked to describe their state’s business culture in a single word. “Hard-working” led by a wide margin at 30 percent, followed by entrepreneurial at 18 percent and traditional at 16 percent. Only 8 percent chose “innovative,” underscoring how many owners see reliability and execution as more valuable than novelty.
Relationships also emerged as a central pillar of commerce in the Keystone State. More than two-thirds of respondents said personal relationships matter in their business dealings, with 28 percent calling them essential and another 40 percent saying they are somewhat important. Only 4 percent said relationships do not matter at all.
Talent, often framed nationally as a crisis, appeared less dire in Pennsylvania. Sixty percent of business owners said finding good workers is easy or very easy, while 14 percent still struggle to hire.
Trust, however, stood out as the single most important factor when deciding where to operate. Fifty-six percent of respondents said honesty and trust in business relationships matter more than incentives, regulation, or even customer access.
Failure, long viewed in American culture as part of the entrepreneurial journey, was largely seen through a pragmatic lens. Forty percent said failure is a necessary step toward success, while 32 percent said they accept it but prefer to minimize it. Only 4 percent said failure is a sign of poor decision-making.
Views on regulation were split but pointed in a clear direction: predictability. Thirty-four percent said they want clear and predictable rules, 38 percent favored strong regulation to ensure fairness, and 28 percent preferred minimal regulation to promote growth.
When asked what makes a place attractive for starting or growing a business, 44 percent pointed first to costs and financial incentives, followed by quality of life at 26 percent and culture and mindset at 14 percent.
“National headlines often frame American business as one monolithic culture,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat. “But when you look state by state, you see something much more interesting — business cultures shaped by local values, history, and relationships. What unites them isn’t a single ideology, but a shared belief that resilience, trust, and persistence still matter.”
The survey paints a portrait of Pennsylvania entrepreneurs who may be navigating uncertainty, but who remain anchored by regional pride, institutional knowledge, and a long-term view that places reputation and stability above short-term gain.
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