Business Ideas & Side Hustles

On this latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown, the panel discusses numerous headlines that are affecting small business owners, from tariffs to the economy in general. Some of our panelists are optimistic about the future and others are not feeling that vibe right now. In other news, the panel discusses some of the big news coming out of the recent Zoholics event, specifically Zoho Payments. They also talk about their thoughts on payment processing as small business owners themselves. Check out what else the Small Biz Breakdown crew is talking about in the latest episode right here … Small Business News Roundup Here are the latest headline for small business owners ……

This week, our Small Biz Breakdown crew is flying without a net, per se. There’s no agenda – not as if they’re always following the one they sometimes have – and the conversation could go anywhere. Like most weeks, however, the discussion always seems to focus on the latest in AI. And this week is no different. Zeroing in on news this week from Verizon, the Small Biz Breakdown crew discusses at length agentic AI. Is this just the next Metaverse, as one panelist suggests it could be? Or is there more to this emerging trend? Check out what everyone’s got to say on this hot topic in the latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown. Check out the latest small business news headli…

Advertising and marketing campaigns help businesses in nearly every location and industry spread the word about their offerings. The marketing strategy of a local business is likely to look different from a company that sells mainly online. Luckily, there are tons of different small business advertising ideas for each company to consider. Read on for a guide. Best Traditional Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses If you’re trying to reach a local audience or one that doesn’t spend all day online, there are still plenty of traditional and local advertising ideas to utilize. Print Ads Print ads can include photos, text, or editorial partnerships with newspapers, magazi…

On Small Business Breakdown this week, our panel is back and taking on some of the biggest headlines in business. The crew tackles the possibility that AI could be threatening Google. Here what each of our panelists has to say on that topic. Also, the Small Business Breakdown team talks about the trust factor and what it means to entrepreneurs and business owners. See what they say about that and other topics on this week’s episode below … Small Business News Here is a roundup of the latest small business headlines from the last week … GoDaddy Survey Finds Small Business Owners Remain Optimistic Despite Economic Concerns A new survey from GoDaddy Inc. reveals that…

On Small Business Breakdown this week, our expert panel discusses, at length, the impact potential tariffs will have on small businesses and consumers. Specifically, the panel talks about how companies will market tariffs and how they handle the potential for increased costs for their products. Check out what the panel says about this hot topic and more on this week’s latest edition of Small Business Breakdown: Small Business News Check out the latest headlines for small business owners in our weekly News Roundup … Private Sector Adds 62,000 Jobs in April, ADP Reports; Pay Growth Remains Steady Private sector employment in the U.S. grew by 62,000 jobs in April, while…

Small business owners are entering 2025 with heightened confidence despite persistent economic uncertainty, according to Bluevine’s 2024 End-of-Year Business Owner Success Survey (BOSS) Report. The survey of 1,200 small business owners (SBOs) found that 79% expressed confidence in their business outlook, an increase from 73% in mid-2024. Expectations for profitability and revenue growth have also risen, reflecting resilience among small businesses. Despite optimism, SBOs continue to navigate inflation and rising costs. The report found that 64% of respondents identified inflation as a top concern, while 55% cited taxes and fees. Concerns over tariffs have more than doubl…

The latest report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sheds light on the current state of the job market for small businesses, revealing both challenges and opportunities. The April Jobs Report signals a softening labor market as the Small Business Employment Index dropped 1.2 points to 100.4. This trend raises important considerations for small business owners navigating hiring and staffing decisions in a shifting economic landscape. The Employment Index now sits below the 2025 average of 101.2 but remains slightly higher than the historical average of 100.0. This decline indicates a cooling job market, yet certain aspects highlight ongoing job c…

The latest NFIB Jobs Report reveals a mixed picture for small businesses in the U.S., as the Small Business Employment Index has noticeably dipped. The index dropped 1.9 points to 101.6 in March, although it remains above both last year’s average of 101.2 and the historical average of 100. Small business owners may find these trends critical as they navigate recruitment challenges and compensation strategies in a fluctuating economic landscape. In March, the hiring picture remained complicated. Approximately 32% of small business owners reported unfilled job openings, a slight decrease from February but still higher than the historical average of 24%. This included 27% o…

Small businesses are navigating a labor market that continues to tighten, according to NFIB’s February Jobs Report. The report indicates a notable uptick in the Small Business Employment Index, which rose nearly 1 point to 103.5, reflecting ongoing challenges and opportunities for small business owners. The increase in the employment index signifies a robust job market that’s outperforming past averages. Currently, the index sits 2.3 points above the 2025 average and 3.5 points above the historical norm of 100. Such metrics suggest that small business owners may face both opportunities for growth and hurdles in securing the talent they need. Key Takeaways: A notable 3…

Bank of America Institute’s latest “Small Business Checkpoint” report, released May 15, 2025, reveals a complex picture of small business behavior across the country, with signs of sector-specific inventory stocking and mixed trends in hiring activity. The findings are based on internal transaction data and provide a snapshot of small business financial activity in the face of ongoing economic uncertainties. Stocking Up in Select Sectors The report shows that small businesses overall are not significantly increasing their inventory levels, despite the recent surge in tariffs contributing to economic uncertainty. However, firms in the manufacturing and services sectors ar…

Small businesses are navigating a complex landscape filled with challenges, yet current research reveals a surprising level of optimism among entrepreneurs. According to a recent survey by JPMorgan Chase, 67% of small business leaders anticipate an increase in revenues over the next six months, despite ongoing inflation and hiring concerns. These findings stem from a comprehensive survey of over 500 small businesses, all with annual revenues under $20 million. The insights reflect how small business owners are dealing with pressing operational challenges, including inflation, tightening credit, and a limited labor market. “Despite ongoing concerns about recession, infla…

Small business owners often navigate a sea of uncertainty, juggling daily operations while keeping an eye on broader economic trends. A recent NFIB survey sheds light on the varying levels of optimism across different sectors, revealing both opportunities and challenges that could impact small businesses in 2025. The NFIB Research Center’s quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey, conducted in October, presents crucial insights into how small businesses perceive their current situations and future prospects. The survey indicates that the overall Optimism Index dropped to 98.2, a slight decline that impacted all sectors except construction. “Small business optimis…

Small business owners might feel a twinge of unease as the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index shows a slight decline for October, moving down 0.6 points to 98.2. While this figure remains above the long-term average of 98, it highlights the challenges that businesses face, particularly in navigating labor shortages and fluctuating sales. This ongoing uncertainty necessitates a closer examination of the current landscape. Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB’s Chief Economist, commented on the findings, stating, “Optimism among small businesses declined slightly in October as owners report lower sales and reduced profits.” His insights reveal a significant concern for owners: Despite a …

Small business owners might find a silver lining amid fluctuating optimism levels according to the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. While the index dipped slightly to 99.3 from 99.5 in January, it remains above the 52-year average of 98, indicating a resilient sentiment among small entrepreneurs despite economic uncertainties. “While GDP is rising, small businesses are still waiting for noticeable economic growth,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. Nevertheless, the survey reveals a growing number of business owners reporting improved health and expecting higher sales volume, suggesting an upward trend in optimism regarding future business conditions. …

Small business owners are experiencing a nuanced economic landscape as new data from the NFIB reveals mixed signals of optimism and concern. According to the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, the index dipped slightly by 0.5 points in February to 98.8, yet this figure remains marginally above the 52-year average of 98. While optimism has waned a bit, confidence is on the rise, hinting at a cautious but hopeful outlook for the coming months. “Although optimism declined slightly, small businesses report feeling more certain in February as they look toward the coming months,” stated NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. Several key metrics suggest that while challenges pe…

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported a decline in its Small Business Optimism Index for March 2025, dropping 3.3 points to 97.4. This places the index below the 51-year average of 98, as small business owners across the country express concern over ongoing policy shifts and economic conditions. “The implementation of new policy priorities has heightened the level of uncertainty among small business owners over the past few months,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small business owners have scaled back expectations on sales growth as they better understand how these rearrangements might impact them.” The NFIB Uncertainty Index also …

Small business owners face an increasingly complex landscape as the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index reveals a slight uptick in optimism, but persistent challenges remain. The Index rose by 0.1 points to 95.9 in April, although it continues to trail behind the historical average of 98.0 for the second consecutive month. The Uncertainty Index also indicates continued unease among small business leaders, dropping to 88 but remaining significantly above its historical norm of 68. “Inflationary pressures continue to be a challenge for Main Street,” noted NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While small business optimism is currently fragile, the benefits of the Wo…

Small business owners face an ever-changing landscape, but a recent survey from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reveals a glimmer of hope as optimism rises in several key industries. According to the NFIB Research Center’s latest quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey, optimism grew significantly across various sectors, with the overall Optimism Index landing at 99.3 in January—showing improvements in all industries except for construction. “Small business optimism rose in all reported industries except for construction,” said Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center. “While overall optimism has gone up, more owners are rep…

Amid changing economic winds, small business optimism is showing signs of resurgence. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed to 99.5 in December—0.5 points higher than November, and above its 52-year average of 98. This uptick reflects a growing belief among business owners that better conditions lie ahead, driven primarily by falling cost pressures and an improved outlook for capital investments. “2025 ended with a further increase in small business optimism,” stated NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While Main Street business owners remain concerned about taxes, they anticipate favorable economic conditions in 2026 due to waning cost pressures, easing labo…

Small business optimism is on the rise, according to the latest data from the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which increased by 0.8 points in November, reaching a score of 99.0. This number remains above the 52-year average of 98, sparking interest among small business owners who constantly navigate a challenging economic landscape. While the uptick in optimism provides a glimmer of hope, many challenges remain. A significant driver of this optimism is the growing expectation among small business owners that real sales will increase. The net percentage of owners anticipating higher sales volumes rose by 9 points, marking a net 15%—the most notable contributor to the…