Uncertainty is a top challenge for small business owners—perhaps an even greater challenge than more definitive bad news. That’s because when businesses are unsure of what rules or standards apply to them, they can’t make plans for the future or operate normally.
When asked about the most significant challenges to their business’s future growth and survival, 59% of small business owners said “economic uncertainty”—a higher percentage than for any other category, according to a 2025 report by the National Small Business Association. Economic uncertainty outranked other challenges that included inflation, tariffs on foreign goods, supply chain delays and disruptions, lack of qualified workers, and regulatory burdens.
Key Takeaways
- Small businesses cite uncertainty as a main challenge to their growth and survival.
- That anxiety can affect both small business owners and…
