The Tariff Refund Window Is Open. Here Is What Small Business Importers Need to Do.

by Admin | May 21, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a category of tariffs called IEEPA tariffs. More than 300,000 U.S. companies that paid these tariffs are owed refunds, totaling roughly $166 billion. U.S. Customs opened the refund process on April 20, and...

Why Many Small Businesses Are Pulling Back Despite Profitability

by Admin | May 14, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, Economic Insight

The April Bank of America Institute Small Business Checkpoint frames a contradiction worth a closer look. Profitability growth held positive through the first quarter, but small business payroll growth has been negative for three consecutive months, and overall...

When Business Owners Stop Waiting for Certainty

by Admin | Feb 5, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

Economic uncertainty has not disappeared. What has changed is how experienced business owners are responding to it. According to the 2026 Business Leaders Outlook from JPMorgan Chase, only 39 percent of business leaders feel optimistic about the national economy. Yet...

Policy and Cost Uncertainty Is Replacing Inflation as the Key Planning Challenge for Small Businesses

by Admin | Jan 29, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

As 2026 begins, the pressure shaping small business decisions is changing. Inflation dominated conversations for much of the last two years. Pricing pressure has not disappeared, but it is no longer the issue driving most planning decisions. More business owners are...

3 Economic Signals Small Business Owners Can’t Ignore Right Now

by Admin | Nov 13, 2025 | Economic Insight, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

The Federal Reserve’s October 2025 outlook reveals three economic signals converging right now that require a strategic playbook. On October 6, Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid highlighted these shifts directly impacting your business strategy. Signal 1:...

The Margin Squeeze: What’s Really Driving Up Costs for Small Businesses in 2025

by Admin | Oct 30, 2025 | Economic Insight, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

Are rising costs squeezing your business margins? You’re not alone. 75% of small businesses cite rising costs as their top financial challenge, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2024 Small Business Credit Survey released in March 2025. The key to...