Our Research: Voice of Main Street
Small Business Majority’s Voice of Main Street opinion poll series is a quarterly look at the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs in our network are facing across a range of issues. These perspectives come from a diverse set of business owners, the majority of whom are microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees. While responses vary, they generally are reflective of our diverse network—two-thirds of whom are women and two-thirds people of color—making this series a lens into the needs and views of underrepresented entrepreneurs across the country.
Reports in the series:
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 November 13, 2025, Small Business Majority released a research report examining the challenges small businesses face from rising healthcare premiums and increased immigration enforcement. The survey found that two-thirds of small business owners view higher healthcare costs as a significant financial burden and strongly support extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Entrepreneurs also reported negative effects from immigration enforcement and expressed strong support for modernizing the legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship for qualifying undocumented immigrants.
As Congress and the administration consider 2025 policies, small business owners are raising concerns about rising tariffs, slowing growth, immigration policy impacts, and threats to healthcare from Medicaid cuts and ACA changes. Many are responding by raising prices or pausing expansion. They also oppose increasing the federal deficit to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.
This Voice of Main Street poll shows entrepreneurs face major capital challenges and oppose the administration’s proposed spending cuts. Notably, 78% are concerned about cuts to the SBA, which provides vital resources small businesses need to succeed.
Small Business Majority’s February poll shows entrepreneurs are concerned about new tariffs and mass deportations. Over half fear tariffs will hurt their business, and 77% worry about economic impact. Deportation policies also raise concern, with 69% citing potential harm to the U.S. economy and 37% to their own or suppliers’ operations.
