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This week, our Small Biz Breakdown crew is back and talking about some of the biggest stories that matter most to small business owners and entrepreneurs right now. Check out the always lively discussion of this week’s panel as they discuss some of the latest innovations in AI technology, specifically a new offering from OpenAI, as well as a talk about some of the latest economic conditions and how they affect small business owners nationwide. See what they had to say about these topics and much more on this week’s episode of Small Biz Breakdown below … Small Business News Here are the top headlines from Small Business Trends from the last week that are important to …

This week on Small Business Breakdown, our expert panel is back and talking about headlines saying that consumers are turning their attention to small businesses over bigger retailers. Is this actually happening or just something someone is saying? Our panel discusses. They also tackle the topic of creative companies and their use of AI. If these companies do rely on AI technology to provide their products or services, should they be charging less for those products and services? Check out what they have to say on these topics and more in this week’s episode of Small Business Breakdown … Small Business News Roundup – March 8, 2025 Here is a look at the top headline…

On the latest edition of Small Biz Breakdown, the panel discusses some of the hottest topics affecting small business owners right now. This week, they’re also discussing topics like whether or not Apple missed the boat when it came to AI and whether or not it matters to a company that excels so much in other areas. Check out their thoughts on this topic and more in the latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown here; Small Business News Here is a roundup of all the top stories from the last week on Small Business Trends … Shopify Summer ’25 Edition Rolls Out 150+ Upgrades to Empower Merchants with AI, Design Flexibility, and Global Tools Shopify has launched its Summer …

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…

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…

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 …

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 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…

Small business confidence dipped in September, signaling renewed concern among entrepreneurs over inflation, supply chains, and hiring challenges. According to the latest report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Small Business Optimism Index fell two points to 98.8 — the first decline in three months — though it remains above the survey’s 52-year average of 98. The report also noted that the Uncertainty Index climbed seven points to 100, the fourth-highest reading in more than five decades. “Optimism among small business owners decreased in September,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While most owners evaluate their own busines…

The U.S. small business market maintained steady momentum in the first quarter of 2025, according to BizBuySell’s latest Insight Report, with 2,368 businesses sold and a total enterprise value exceeding $2 billion—a 9% increase over Q1 2024. Despite looming uncertainty surrounding new tariffs, deal volume grew 2% quarter-over-quarter, as buyers pursued high-performing businesses and prices climbed 4% to a median sale price of $349,000. Following a dip at the end of 2024, transactions rebounded in January, climbing 4% amid optimism over anticipated tax cuts, lower interest rates, and deregulation. However, policy uncertainty under the new administration soon tempered that…

Deal activity in the small business marketplace is heating up, even as broader economic uncertainties put pressure on margins and long-term confidence. According to new data from BizBuySell’s Q3 2025 Insight Report, the number of completed small business sales surged to 2,599 — an 8% increase from the same period last year and an 11% jump from the previous quarter. The total value of those transactions reached $2.13 billion. At first glance, this upward trend in acquisitions might suggest growing optimism. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced reality for small business owners: many are selling not out of confidence, but out of concern. Owner confidence has dropped b…

As the holiday season approaches, small business owners are gearing up for what could be a make-or-break period. According to a new report from Constant Contact, a leading provider of digital marketing tools, a staggering 60% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) attribute up to half of their annual sales to the current quarter. With such a significant financial impact, adapting to both economic pressures and shifting consumer behaviors has become more crucial than ever. The report surveyed over 1,800 small business owners across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, revealing that one in three owners feels the highest revenue pressure d…

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to reject the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), arguing that its reporting requirements impose unconstitutional burdens on small businesses. The brief was filed in Community Associations Institute, et al. v. U.S. Department of Treasury, a case that challenges the CTA’s beneficial ownership reporting mandates. NFIB’s brief questions whether Congress has the authority to impose the CTA’s reporting requirements under the Commerce Clause, arguing that the law regulates neither activity nor economic conduct. “The Corporate Transparency Act …