Are You Eligible?

Two questions tell you if you qualify.

Did you pay the tariff yourself? Refunds go to whoever paid Customs directly. If your supplier paid the tariff and sold the goods to you, your supplier qualifies, not you. The next move is a conversation with your supplier about whether their refund affects your pricing.

Was the tariff an IEEPA tariff? Eligible tariffs are commonly called “fentanyl,” “trafficking,” “reciprocal,” and “baseline” tariffs, plus some on goods from Brazil and India. Several other categories, such as those listed below, are not in scope:

• Section 232. Duties of 10% to 50% on steel, aluminum, copper, and related products, applied for national security reasons.
• Section 301. Duties on Chinese goods imposed in 2018 over technology and intellectual property practices.
• Section 201. Temporary safeguard measures under the Trade Act of 1974 used when an import surge causes serious injury to a U.S. industry.
• Anti-dumping duties. Duties on imports priced below fair market value.

If you are not sure which type you paid, your customs broker can tell you.

The Four Steps to Take Now

Talk to your customs broker first. They will be your front line for the new system. Then:

1. Update your contact information with Customs. CBP Form 5106 is the form. Make sure your email is current.
2. Set up your ACE Portal account. Register here. New accounts take 3 to 4 weeks. Start this first.
3. Sign up for direct deposit. Refunds come electronically. Enroll in ACH here.
4. Have your customs broker check your records for excluded shipments. A few categories are not in the initial refund pool, including drawback claims, pending protests, anti-dumping cases the Department of Commerce is still working through, and shipments not in the ACE Portal.

A tax note: how a refund is treated depends on how you originally recorded the duty expense. Consult your tax professional before the refund posts to your account.

The official source is the Customs IEEPA Duty Refunds page.

The post The Tariff Refund Window Is Open. Here Is What Small Business Importers Need to Do. appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

Profitability growth held positive through the first quarter, but small business payroll growth has been negative for three consecutive months, and overall spending has been relatively unchanged. Owners are tightening, even where the topline does not require it.

Where the Pressure Is Coming From

The cost picture explains a lot of it. According to the report, wholesaler inventory costs are running more than 60% above year-ago levels, and gasoline spending jumped 23% year over year in March. Two forces are doing most of the work.

Tariffs have continued to ripple through small business supply chains, and oil prices have increased significantly in the first quarter after Middle East disruptions in late February.

For small businesses that depend on either input, the operating environment is meaningfully more expensive than it was a year ago.

The Pullback Is Not Uniform

The slowdown is not happening everywhere.

Construction and manufacturing employment is still tracking around 40% above its 2023 average, which suggests project-driven trades are still hiring.

The slowdown shows up most in services and retail, where margin sensitivity is higher, and hiring can be tightened quickly. The same business cycle is producing different operating decisions depending on the sector.

Profitable, But Cautious

For most small business owners, the practical question is whether the topline justifies the cautious posture they are holding. Profitability that holds in a high-cost environment is real, but it is also the kind of margin profile that creates a planning paradox. The cash is there to invest; however, the conditions look uncertain enough to make holding feel safer.

Making the Call With Your Own Numbers

The owners managing this best look at their actual cash position before defaulting to the broader sentiment. They run their planning cycles with real numbers from their own business rather than the headlines.

Pulling back is a reasonable response to the current data, but it is still a decision the owner makes, not one the aggregate data makes for them.

Your cash position may support a different move while others wait. Schedule a complimentary discovery session, and let’s walk through it together.

The post Why Many Small Businesses Are Pulling Back Despite Profitability appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

Recent research from the Wharton School, in collaboration with Accenture, helps explain why this issue has proven so persistent.

The Labor Market Has Shifted to Skills

The January 2026 Wharton–Accenture Skills Index shows that the labor market has moved from a role-based system to a skills-based one. Job titles still dominate hiring conversations, but they no longer reflect how work actually gets done. As a result, many candidates emphasize broad, widely accepted traits such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. These skills are not unimportant, but they are now so common that they no longer differentiate candidates.

Where the Mismatch Appears

At the same time, employers consistently struggle to find execution-critical capabilities. Skills tied to operational expertise, technical depth, compliance, and execution-level management appear more often in job postings than in worker profiles. These are the skills required to move work from intent to outcome, yet they remain undersupplied.

Why Labor Quality Remains a Top Concern

This imbalance signals a growing gap between how skills are presented by candidates and how work actually gets done by the employer. It also helps explain why labor quality remains such a persistent concern. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) December 2025 survey data, labor quality is the second most frequently cited concern among small business owners.

Part of this challenge lies in how candidates think about presenting their experience. As the labor market becomes more skills-based, continuing to highlight broad traits can limit alignment. Clearer signaling of operational, technical, and execution-level skills could improve hiring outcomes and mitigate some of the perceived labor shortage.

In our next post, we will explore what small businesses can do differently to adapt to a skills-based labor market without increasing headcount or payroll risk.

The post Why the Labor Problem Isn’t Going Away for Small Businesses appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

Customer growth remains a top priority

According to the 2025 Bank of America Business Owner Report, 47% of small business owners plan to expand their customer base. This focus reflects a push toward broader market reach through improved marketing, stronger customer relationships, and more intentional outreach. Many owners see customer diversification as a way to manage risk, improve stability, and build long-term revenue resilience.

Businesses are expanding their products and services

Thirty-nine percent of owners plan to expand their products or services. This focus on innovation signals a desire to capture new demand, meet evolving customer needs, and create additional revenue streams. For many small businesses, this may include upgrading offerings, exploring new partnerships, or packaging services more strategically.

Marketing innovation is gaining momentum

Thirty-five percent of business owners plan to explore new marketing tactics over the next few years. This includes strengthening digital marketing, improving social media engagement, and testing new ways to reach target customers. Many owners see modern marketing capabilities as essential for growth, especially as consumer behavior shifts and digital channels continue to influence buying decisions. A stronger marketing strategy supports both customer acquisition and long-term brand visibility.

AI and digital tools are shaping future strategy

Thirty-one percent of business owners plan to adopt AI and digital tools in the coming years. This shift is not about technology for technology’s sake. Many owners view digital adoption as a way to streamline workflows, reduce manual processes, and strengthen customer engagement. It also supports productivity growth without always requiring additional staff.

As you plan for the years ahead, consider which of these strategic priorities aligns most with your growth goals. Building a deliberate strategy now can help position your business for success well into the next decade.

Let’s Strengthen Your Next Stage of Growth
Preparing for long-term growth requires a clear strategy and strong financial readiness. We help business owners stay lender-ready, improve operational stability, and position their companies for sustainable growth. If you are planning your next stage of development, let’s connect.

Click the image to download your free 2026 Small Business Readiness Brief

The post How Small Businesses Are Planning for Growth appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

This week, we shift from planning to the real-world pressures owners are navigating every day. Rising costs, supply chain challenges, and labor shortages are shaping how small businesses operate and make decisions, and the latest data gives us a clearer picture of what this means for the year ahead.

These concerns provide the backdrop for the operational pressures owners are navigating today.

The concerns shaping operational decisions

According to the 2025 Bank of America Business Owner Report, the top issues business owners see over the next 12 months include inflation (70%), tariff policy (64%), the US political environment (64%), interest rates (58%), and recession concerns (57%). These concerns influence pricing, vendor selection, cash flow decisions, and borrowing behavior. They also help explain why so many owners are reviewing operations more closely as they plan for 2026.

Costs and cash flow are under pressure

Seventy-seven percent of business owners say their costs increased over the last 12 months, with an average rise of 18%. During the same period, prices increased by only 12%. This gap signals margin pressure for many small businesses and highlights the need to keep a close eye on costs, pricing decisions, and cash flow needs. Owners are responding by reviewing expenses, tightening spending, and revisiting how they price products and services.

Supply chain instability continues

Seventy-five percent of business owners report that they are still experiencing supply chain issues. Among those affected, 52% raised prices to offset the impact, and 32% are having difficulty sourcing products or supplies. These realities often lead to changes in vendor relationships, inventory planning, and customer communication. For many small businesses, refining procurement strategies and building more resilient supply chains can help reduce operational risk.

Labor challenges are shaping staffing decisions

Labor shortages remain a real constraint. Sixty-one percent of owners say they are impacted, and half are working more hours to fill the gaps. Others are offering higher wages or investing in tools that make the team’s work more efficient. Simple digital tools and workflow improvements can support productivity without adding headcount.

As you review your own plans for 2026, reflect on which of these pressures you are experiencing the most. In the next article in the series, we will explore the strategic decisions business owners are prioritizing for long-term growth.

Let’s Strengthen Your Next Stage of Growth
Preparing for 2026 requires a clear strategy and strong financial readiness.

We help business owners stay lender-ready, improve operational stability, and position their companies for sustainable growth. If you are planning your next stage of growth, let’s connect.

The post Operational Pressures Shaping Small Business Decisions in 2026 appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

The past year brought shifting conditions, and several key themes have emerged from recent small business data published by sources such as NFIB, the Federal Reserve System, and major bank research teams.

The Signals in the Latest Small Business Data

To make the planning process easier, I pulled these insights together into a simple planning tool called the 2026 Small Business Priority Matrix.

It highlights seven key areas that matter most for performance, bankability, and long-term stability. Even better, it breaks the guidance down by revenue range so you can focus on what is realistic and achievable for your business.

Where Owners Should Focus in 2026

A few patterns stand out. Cash flow discipline remains one of the strongest signs of resilience. Owners who adopt even simple forecasting tools tend to feel more confident during slow periods.

Pricing, margins, and customer mix are also gaining more attention, especially for businesses navigating rising costs.

And for many owners, 2026 will be the year to document processes, strengthen hiring practices, and modernize the systems that keep the business running every day.

Your 2026 Planning Toolkit

You can download the full matrix and the companion Action Checklist below. Use them as a starting point to shape your priorities and weekly actions in the new year. Sometimes, clarity is the biggest gift you can give yourself.

Let’s Strengthen Your Next Stage of Growth

We can help you prepare for success in 2026. Our team works with business owners to strengthen strategy, improve financial readiness, and stay lender-ready through shifting conditions.

Connect with us today to explore how we can help accelerate your next stage of growth.

The post 2026 Small Business Priorities You Should Focus On appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.

Borrowing Is at Its Lowest in Four Years

Only 23% of small business owners are borrowing on a regular basis, the lowest share since 2021. Yet credit conditions are not the barrier. Just 3% of owners said their last loan was harder to get, and the average short-term loan rate fell to 8.1%, the lowest in more than two years.

Why Aren’t More Owners Borrowing?

The answer lies in profitability. A net –19% of owners reported earnings declines, and many pointed to weak sales and higher input costs as the culprits. Tariffs are also beginning to impact pricing, adding uncertainty to margins. Even as inflation readings ease, business owners remain cautious about taking on new obligations when their ability to service debt is under pressure.

Lender-Readiness Still Matters

This creates an important takeaway for small business leaders. Access to financing may be open, but it is not automatic. In times of tight margins, lenders scrutinize repayment capacity more closely. Businesses that can present strong financials, a clear growth plan, and evidence of stability are far more likely to secure favorable terms.

Turning Optimism into Opportunity

Optimism may set the tone, but profitability and preparedness ultimately determine access to capital. In today’s environment, the businesses that stay lender-ready will be best positioned to act when financing opportunities align with their growth goals.

Your next move matters. Connect with us to shape financing strategies that keep your business lender-ready and positioned for growth.

The post Small Business Financing Trends: When Optimism Meets Profit Pressure appeared first on Strategic Thinktank, Inc. | Your SMB Experts | Consulting services for small and mid-sized businesses.