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Small businesses

Small business optimism ticked down in November

by Mitchell Hartman
Dec 12, 2023
The National Association of Independent Business's small business optimism index has been below its historical average for nearly two years.
While the labor shortage have been easing, it's still a persistent issue for small businesses.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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My Economy

From college friends to business partners, these stationers are celebrating 10 years in business together

by Sofia Terenzio
Nov 30, 2023
Danielle McCarthy and Ellen Kelly run a luxury wedding stationery business in Newport, Rhode Island, where they specialize in letterpress printing.
Kelly and McCarthy met their freshman year of college at an art school in Beverly, Massachusetts. Now, they both live and run their stationery business in Newport, Rhode Island.
Erin McGinn Photography
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'Tis the season for sugary treats: What pays the bills for this creative cookie business

by Kristin Schwab , Sofia Terenzio and Sarah Leeson
Nov 24, 2023
Maddie Gartmann of Garty Goodies enjoys sweet success with special event orders and cookie decorating classes.
There's an enthusiastic customer base for Maddie Gartmann's cookie decorating classes. "Luckily, that's what I enjoy doing the most," she says.
Courtesy Gartmann
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Entrepreneurship can narrow the gender pay gap, but it's not a perfect solution.

by Justin Ho
Oct 24, 2023
Three women entrepreneurs talk about their experiences starting their own businesses, and whether it helped them get better pay and flexibility.
For some women, running their own business can give them more flexibility to care for kids or spend time with family. But it's still an imperfect solution to the gender pay gap.
Cicy/Getty Images
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With higher interest rates, small businesses and lenders proceed with caution

by Justin Ho
Oct 10, 2023
Only a quarter of small businesses say they're getting the credit they need, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
Some banks have been more cautious about lending to certain sectors of the economy that aren’t doing so well. That includes commercial real estate.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
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Why are businesses pessimistic about the economy?

by Kristin Schwab
Sep 12, 2023
In August, for the 20th straight month, business owners scored their outlook below average.
Rising labor costs and the inflation of prices for necessary goods are two factors making business owners less optimistic.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Small businesses are still struggling to hire. But the situation's improving.

by Justin Ho
Sep 1, 2023
The good news: The lowest proportion of small businesses since March 2021 reported having trouble hiring. The bad news: It's still 40%.
Forty percent of small businesses reported having trouble filling job openings last month.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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Why are some downtowns booming again?

by Matt Levin
Aug 7, 2023
Foot traffic in downtown Salt Lake City reached 139% of pre-pandemic levels in spring. And other cities can learn from its example.
A cheaper cost of living, beautiful scenery and a booming economy helped the Greater Salt Lake area grow by 51,000 people last year.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
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Some small businesses worry they've hit the limit on raising prices

by Justin Ho
Jul 11, 2023
It could signal that wage and other cost pressures are easing or that sales are weakening and the economy is slowing.
Downbeat sales expectations could cause more businesses to decide against another price hike, said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist with the National Federation of Independent Business.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Even with inflation, pricing can be a puzzle for small businesses

by Justin Ho
Jun 22, 2023
Big businesses can rely on reams of data to figure out how much to raise prices. Small business owners don't have that luxury.
Small businesses, including bike shops, often don't have the large-scale data that bigger businesses do.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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