On June 5th, Small Business Majority Vice President, State Policy & Advocacy sent a letter to the North Carolina House Rules Committee in support of House Bill 1046. This bill would help to initiate an important analysis of how businesses are formed and whether they face barriers.
As fuel and transportation costs climb, small businesses are facing mounting financial pressure. This edition of Voice of Main Street finds that 67% of small businesses report rising expenses and half report declining revenue over the past three months. Nearly three-quarters (74%) have been impacted by higher fuel and transportation costs, while rising prices for utilities, raw materials, healthcare and rent continue to strain operations. The survey also explores how these challenges are affecting hiring, investment decisions, profitability and optimism, and highlights the critical role access to capital plays in shaping small business confidence and growth.
Research by University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs graduate students Janet Perez Shensky, John Paul, Andre Cowan and Stephanie Mora, advised by Professor Dilawar Syed, examines how the 2025 U.S. tariff regime affected small businesses in California, Georgia, Illinois and Colorado. Using trade, employment and SBA lending data, the report finds that tariffs and policy uncertainty disproportionately burden small firms, particularly in the agriculture, manufacturing and retail sectors, limiting their ability to invest, hire and grow.
What began as a warm day at a Texas outlet mall for Mia and Ondrey Lawson quickly turned into a life-changing moment. After some convincing, Ondrey reluctantly tried an Italian ice that Mia had picked up while shopping. To her surprise, he finished the entire cup, sparking a simple question: why wasn’t this refreshing treat more accessible in a place as hot as Texas?
Small business owners are at the epicenter of a growing national affordability crisis. The cost of starting and growing a small business continues to rise, from ballooning healthcare premium rates and rising childcare costs to inflated tariff rates impacting global supply chains. Key policy changes in Washington have only compounded these impacts for Main Street, yet policymakers also have a unique opportunity to address some of these challenges head on by implementing the following policies.
Lower healthcare costs for small business owners and employees
Small businesses are navigating a sharp squeeze on Main Street, according to Small Business Majority’s latest Voice of Main Street poll released on March 25, 2026. Most entrepreneurs report rising expenses alongside falling revenues, with costs driven by tariffs, healthcare premiums, utilities, and supplies. At the same time, many say weak consumer demand, difficulty meeting payroll, and concerns about corporate consolidation are limiting growth and forcing tough choices—from raising prices to delaying hiring and investment.
On March 11, Small Business Majority Georgia Director Rachel Shanklin sent a letter in support of SB 554 to the Georgia Senate Committee on Education and Youth. This legislation would invest in the expansion of affordable, high-quality childcare.
On February 4, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson submitted written testimony on HB26-1004, legislation that would extend the Child Care Continuation Tax Credit for 10 years.
Immigrant entrepreneurs and workers play a vital role in Main Street economies, driving job growth, innovation, and small business success. Yet, rising immigration enforcement and restrictive federal policies are disrupting businesses, workforce stability, and local communities. This fact sheet highlights the economic contributions of immigrant-owned businesses, the impact of enforcement actions, and bipartisan solutions that can help small businesses thrive while supporting a fair, commonsense immigration system.
When his high school track coach suggested he take karate lessons to overcome a mental block around increasing his speed and improving his hurdling technique, Renard Beaty was puzzled. How could learning karate help with hurdling?
But it was there, at a local school, that Renard discovered not only martial arts but the power of discipline and building strong self-esteem, skills that would shape his life and future career. More than 40 years later, now a black belt, a father of two black-belt daughters and owner of a successful karate school in Atlanta, Renard is passing those same lessons on to his community.
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