Small businesses play very important role in economic development and growth. In Tanzania, small businesses create employment opportunities that is the major focus of the goverment. However, it was not known exactly the contribution of owner/manager characteristics on small business growth in Tanzania. It has been stated by different researchers that most of small business managers/owners start their businesses as a life strategy and not as a career strategy that influences their entrepreneurial behaviour towards growth. Therefore this study addresses the role of owner/manager characteristics on small business growth in Tanzania.