Health insurance premiums are rising at a median 11% this year — with some insurers spiking 32%. Minimum wage increases are still rolling through 88 jurisdictions, and the compression effect means your real payroll exposure is bigger than the headline rate. Plus, consumer spending is holding — but bifurcating sharply by income level with implications for Main Street heading into summer. Alex wraps the week.

AI adoption among small businesses has nearly doubled since 2023, but most owners have no policy governing how employees use it — a gap that's becoming a real liability. AI-powered phishing attacks are hitting record rates, with the average breach costing $254K. And AI pricing tools are delivering 10%+ revenue gains for businesses using them correctly. Thursday's episode covers all three sides of the AI story.

The Federal Reserve confirmed rate cuts are off the table through at least the summer, keeping small business borrowing costs elevated — but the math on waiting may be worse than you think. New SBA loan rules took effect June 1 with a tighter debt-coverage requirement. And credit card processing fees are getting more transparent, with a real opportunity to negotiate better terms. Alex covers all three.

Businesses spent 2025 absorbing tariff costs. That's flipping in 2026 — JPMorgan estimates up to 80% of tariff burden will pass to customers by year-end. Plus, the USMCA trade deal enters formal review this summer with real implications for small businesses importing from Canada or Mexico. Alex covers what's happening and what to do right now.

The Paychex Small Business Jobs Index just hit its best reading of 2026, and new data shows the labor market is slowly thawing for small employers. But NFIB data also shows labor cost concerns at an all-time high — and nearly a million new grads are actively looking at small businesses first. Alex breaks down what the data means for your hiring and retention decisions this week.

Summer demand is solid but split, with higher-income shoppers spending while value-conscious customers pull back. Covers picking a lane for the season, why commercial electric bills are climbing thanks to AI data centers, and the card processing fees quietly eating your margin.

Ransomware crews now target the small businesses they used to ignore, and AI has made phishing emails nearly impossible to spot by eye. Covers low-cost defenses that stop most attacks, the one verification rule that defeats the costliest scam, and where AI actually replaces work versus just adding subscriptions.

The Fed is holding rates steady, the SBA doubled its loan ceiling to $10 million, and unpaid invoices are squeezing Main Street harder than slow sales. Covers what stable rates mean for borrowing, who benefits from the new SBA limits and manufacturer fee waivers, and invoicing changes that get you paid earlier.

The Supreme Court struck down most emergency tariffs and a $166 billion refund portal is open, but small importers are already losing out to bigger players. Covers claiming your refund through a customs broker, why supplier diversification still matters, and the FinCEN ruling that freed domestic businesses from Beneficial Ownership reporting.

Small business optimism is stuck below average and hiring is the reason: 34% of owners can't fill open roles and most see few qualified applicants. Covers widening the hiring funnel, a ~10% 2026 health insurance renewal jump and alternatives, and how owners use AI to cover work they can't hire for.