Ali Cottle runs Thompson Schoolhouse, a day care she operates out of her home in Carbondale. In an area where child care costs are so high, Cottle often feels like she’s pitted against families. Some people expect her to only charge a minimum because she’s operating an in-home day care, but they also want her to create a high-quality experience for their children. To pay for organic snacks and a safe 12-passenger van — in addition to her own bills — she has to charge more.
Small Business News
07/24/2025 |
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“It definitely could change,” said Alexis D’Amato, whose advocacy group Small Business Majority tracks threats to the agency. “As we saw during the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ process, enough pressure from the White House or others in leadership can flip votes.”
07/24/2025 |
Vermont Business Magazine
"The constantly shifting tariff policy landscape has left small businesses struggling to plan ahead. Any amount of clarity lawmakers can offer right now, including an exemption for small businesses importing goods from a specific country, would help by giving entrepreneurs some degree of certainty in a chaotic time.
07/24/2025 |
The Wall Street Journal
Shayai Lucero, a florist near Albuquerque, N.M., is swallowing some of the extra cost of tariffs, while also raising prices. The imported long-stem roses from South America she buys from U.S. wholesalers used to cost $1.15 to $1.35 each but are now running $1.95 to $2.15 apiece. That has forced her to raise her price for a vase of a dozen roses to $69 from $60, she said…She worries that higher prices could lead to lost business. “It’s that real fine line of do I lose customers or do I stay in business?” she said.
07/24/2025 |
The Denver Post
Edmundson, who has a doctorate in physical therapy, said he started his company nine years ago with the intention of expanding access for patients covered by Medicaid. “We’ve always prided ourselves on serving that population.” However, Edmundson expects that the law’s changes in eligibility, more frequent reporting on recipients and work requirements will reduce the Medicaid rolls, leaving people without health care coverage and perhaps decreasing his business…Hunter Nelson hears similar concerns from other small-business owners in Colorado.
07/24/2025 |
Capitol Weekly
If my family and I lost our Medi-Cal coverage, I would have to think very seriously about closing my business and returning to work for someone else, mainly so we could access healthcare. Healthcare is an unquestionable essential, and we must not allow it to impede the growth of small businesses. I’m very disappointed that federal policymakers drastically cut this vital program that I rely on to pursue my entrepreneurial dream and will need to bring jobs to my community.
07/22/2025 |
Cal Matters
Heather Altman quit her corporate job and opened an environmental consulting business in 2014 when the Affordable Care Act made it possible for her to afford independent health insurance. Her monthly premium for a platinum plan was $356. Today, Altman has downgraded to a gold plan and pays $1,147 per month. That’s a 222% increase over the past decade for less comprehensive coverage…“Since the Senate passed this monstrosity I’ve been trying to figure out how I can land on my feet,” Altman said.
07/20/2025 |
Business Insider
Bill Stewart, the owner of LI Toy and Game on Long Island, New York, estimates that he gets "screwed over" by return shenanigans twice a month. Customers falsely claim an item he shipped wasn't as described or doesn't work, or they send back something in much worse condition than how he released it. Recently, a customer returned a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine model kit after two weeks with the box open, the toy half assembled, and pieces missing. Given the condition, there was no way for him to resell it. "Went right into the trash," Stewart says.
07/15/2025 |
Secure Growth Initiative
“The Dignity Act is an appropriate name for legislation that would enable both undocumented workers, who have provided valuable labor to our small businesses for five years or more, and DACA recipients, who have lived and worked in our country since they were children, to earn a permanent legal status. The Dignity Act would also make clear that we value the contributions to America’s economy made by those who have come from other countries.” – David Chase, Director of the Secure Growth Initiative and Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, Small Business Majority.
07/15/2025 |
The Denver Post
Polis and Hunter Nelson, director of the Colorado office of the Small Business Majority, a national organization, said the uncertainty of when and whether more tariffs will hit is unnerving for business owners. “We definitely are hearing a lot of concerns. There’s a lot of uncertainty. People are wondering what is going to be the long-term impact on their business, how do they begin to prepare for this,” Nelson said.