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.
On January 12, Small Business Majority Georgia Director Rachel Shanklin sent a letter to Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns urging him to bring SB 207 to the floor for a vote. This legislation would improve the process of obtaining an occupational license in Georgia, addressing the ongoing labor shortage and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Of Colorado’s 730,000 small businesses, 34,000 are Black-owned. These businesses are a quickly growing and vital element of our economy, with more than 8,600 founded in the past two years. Yet, Black-owned small businesses still face barriers to success like high healthcare costs and accessing capital.
North Carolina is home to more than 1 million small businesses, employing 1.8 million people and accounting for 99.6% of all businesses in the state. They play a significant role in our state economy and workforce. However, national economic uncertainty coupled with an especially fast-changing business landscape has required small businesses to adapt, yet again.
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