A recent report sponsored by the SBA's Office of Advocacy ("Small Business Research Summary"), published in 2010, noted that the average annual regulatory cost per small business employee (2008) was $10,585. This is considerably higher than the average cost per employee for larger businesses, and has considerable impact on hiring or retaining workers. Please refer to this study (you need only read the Executive Summary and Key Findings), and post comments as to compliance and its impact on small business and new venture development regarding your Business Plan. This report is also available in eReserves--("The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms--2010").

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/The%20Impact%20of%20Regulatory%20Costs%20on%20Small%20Firms%20(Full).pdf