Purpose - This paper sets out to investigate small business success factors in Chile. Design/methodology/approach - The research on which this paper is based involves a survey correlational study involving a sample of 145 small business owners in Chile that replicates Lussier's success variables validated in the USA. Findings - The results of this research study show that there were 26 significant correlations between the success variables. A major finding shows that business owners tend not to make much use of professional advisors, yet this factor was correlated with six other variables. Research limitations/implications - There were no other small business success factor studies of Chile found in the specialist literature, thus the results could not be compared with findings of similar studies. Practical implications - The findings indicate that small business owners and managers may benefit from using more professional advisors. Public policy makers should consider providing more professional help to small business, such as offering services similar to that of the US Small Business Administration. Originality/value - This is the first major small business success factor study conducted in Chile. Researchers have a foundation for further research and comparisons.