In this episode, we break down some of the biggest trends shaping the small business landscape right now. From falling small business optimism and rising costs to a surge in entrepreneurship as traditional jobs decline, there is a lot changing at once.

We also look at what small business owners can learn from a new Workday study on outdated financial systems, why Gen Z is rethinking career paths and creating side businesses, and how the EPA’s move to ease summer gasoline rules could affect operating costs for many companies.

On top of that, we cover a couple of interesting deals and dive into Reddit conversations that highlight the real-world challenges small business owners are facing right now.

If you are trying to stay informed, adapt to shifting trends, and find opportunities in a changing economy, this episode is for you.

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessNews #SmallBiz #Startup #Leadership #Ecommerce #GenZ #FuelPrices #Finance

In this episode, we break down some of the biggest stories shaping the small business landscape right now. Intuit has gained FedNow certification, opening the door to faster payments and improved cash flow for businesses using QuickBooks and other Intuit tools. We also look at Visa’s new AI-driven commerce solution and what it could mean for the future of payments, retail, and customer transactions.

We also cover the latest NFIB Jobs Report, which shows small business hiring remains difficult as owners continue to struggle with labor quality, wage pressures, and open positions. Then we dive into Cisco’s latest findings on wireless investments, showing how AI, IoT, and better connectivity are driving productivity and revenue gains—while also raising security and hiring concerns.

Plus, we discuss PayPal’s new Canva integration, which could make it easier for creators, freelancers, and small business owners to turn designs into direct revenue. And in our deals and Reddit segments, we highlight offers from ExpressVPN, Adobe, and Squarespace, along with real-world questions and frustrations from small business owners navigating SEO pricing, staffing issues, stalled growth, and choosing the right location.

If you are a small business owner looking to stay ahead of the latest trends in payments, hiring, technology, and growth, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right now.

In this episode, Leland McFarland of Small Business Trends sits down with Bharath Kumar, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience for Zoho Bookings, to unpack new U.S. data on appointment scheduling trends among small and medium-sized businesses.

The conversation explores why so many SMBs still rely on email and phone calls to schedule meetings, even though the process often creates delays, missed opportunities, and unnecessary manual work. Bharath explains why scheduling is no longer just an administrative task, but a critical part of the sales and customer experience journey.

Leland and Bharath also dig into some of the biggest pain points facing small businesses, including back-and-forth scheduling, no-shows, double bookings, and the hidden labor costs of manually managing appointments. They discuss why customer experience ranked so highly among the benefits of scheduling software, how branded booking pages can shape first impressions, and why awareness remains one of the biggest barriers to adoption.

The interview also looks ahead at what SMBs want next from scheduling tools, including stronger AI capabilities, deeper integrations, and better support. Whether you still book meetings by email or already use scheduling software, this episode offers practical insight into how better appointment management can help small businesses save time, improve customer service, and protect revenue.

In this episode, we break down several major developments that could shape the future of small business growth. We start with the SBA’s expanded loan programs aimed at helping U.S. manufacturers and food supply chain businesses access more flexible funding with stronger federal guarantees. These changes could open new opportunities for growth, equipment upgrades, and supply chain improvements, but they also come with important considerations around debt and loan readiness.

We also look at FedEx’s new SameDay Local delivery service and what it could mean for small businesses trying to keep up with rising customer expectations for fast shipping. From real-time tracking to flexible local delivery options, this service could help retailers compete, but it may also require careful cost management and operational adjustments.

On the funding front, we discuss Square’s expanded lending access and how its use of real-time business data is helping more small businesses qualify for loans, including newer, seasonal, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses.

Plus, we share a few deals small business owners may want to check out from Shopify, FreshBooks, and NordVPN, and we dive into Reddit discussions covering expensive website builds, disappointing growth hires, dried-up revenue, and the emotional toll of business setbacks.

This episode is packed with practical insights on capital access, shipping strategy, operational resilience, and the real challenges small business owners are facing right now.

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SBA #SquareLoans #FedEx #SmallBizNews #BusinessGrowth #StartupTips

What does built-in AI actually look like for a small business?

In this interview, Eddie Cliff, VP & GM of SMB & Growth Products at Salesforce, explains how Agentforce for Small Business is being added into Salesforce Suites to help owners and lean teams save time, stay organized, and work more efficiently. He discusses practical use cases like instant record summaries, AI-generated emails, and conversational updates that help small businesses manage sales, service, and marketing in one place.

The conversation also explores why Salesforce chose to include these AI features with no extra setup and no additional cost in suites, how unified customer data makes AI more useful, and what safeguards are in place to reduce hallucinations and improve trust. Eddie also reflects on Salesforce survey findings showing that SMB leaders are optimistic about the future, even as keeping up with technology remains a major challenge.

If you’re a small business owner curious about how AI can deliver real day-to-day value, this interview offers practical insights worth hearing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agent Force for SMBs

06:10 Balancing Optimism and Technology Adoption in SMBs

11:05 AI Features Without Cost Barriers

14:31 The Importance of a Unified Approach for SMBs

18:07 Day-to-Day Impact of Instant Record Summaries

21:40 Safeguards Against AI Hallucinations

24:19 Conclusion and Getting Started with Agent Force

#Salesforce #Agentforce #SmallBusiness #AIforBusiness #CRM #Sales #Marketing #CustomerService

In this solo episode, we break down some of the latest tools, trends, and challenges shaping the small business world right now. We start with Facebook Marketplace’s new Meta AI features and what they could mean for entrepreneurs looking to sell faster, create listings more easily, and simplify communication with buyers. These new tools could help small business owners save time and reduce friction when selling online.

We also explore why Gen Z is increasingly turning to in-person events and real-world communities instead of relying only on digital interactions. For small business owners, this shift creates new opportunities to build loyalty, host events, and create stronger local connections.

From there, we look at rising gas prices and the pressure they can place on small businesses that depend on transportation, deliveries, or travel. We also dig into the latest small business optimism data and what it says about confidence, hiring, spending, and the overall economic outlook for owners trying to plan ahead.

In the second half of the episode, we cover a few current deals for small business owners and dive into practical discussions inspired by Reddit. That includes the debate around deliberately staying small, the risks of franchise investments, what to think about before buying a small town inn, and tips for starting a lawn care business, from setting up your LLC to promoting your services locally.

Whether you are looking for new tools, fresh small business insights, or practical advice from real-world conversations, this episode has plenty to think about.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Small Business Trends

00:17 Enhancements in Facebook Marketplace with Meta AI

02:39 Gen Z's Shift Towards In-Person Events

05:33 Impact of Rising Gas Prices on Small Businesses

08:56 Small Business Optimism and Economic Outlook

11:39 Current Deals for Small Businesses

13:42 The Debate on Scaling Small Businesses

16:18 Risks of Investing in Franchises

19:15 Opportunities in Buying a Small Town Inn

23:32 Starting a Lawn Care Business: Tips and Pricing

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #MetaAI #FacebookMarketplace #GenZ #GasPrices #BusinessOptimism #SmallBusinessTips #SmallBizSpotlight #BusinessNews

In this episode of Small Biz Spotlight, Leland McFarland breaks down some of the biggest stories and practical challenges facing small business owners right now. From how rural communities are benefiting from digital infrastructure investments to the ongoing conversation around women in the workforce and leadership, this episode covers the trends shaping the small business landscape.

Leland also explores new opportunities for home builders through SBA lending programs, shares tech deals and product launches that may interest entrepreneurs, and offers a reminder to stay cautious when a bargain looks a little too good to be true. Beyond the headlines, the episode also dives into real-world business questions around networking at conferences, handling lease changes, following up on unpaid invoices, and navigating tricky tax scenarios.

Whether you are looking for growth opportunities, practical advice, or a smarter way to stay on top of small business news, this episode delivers useful insights you can apply right away.

Resources mentioned:
Small Business Trends: https://smallbiztrends.com
IRL26 Event Registration: https://irl26.com
Zoho Solo: https://zoho.com/solo
Best Buy Apple Deals: https://bestbuy.com
SBA 7A Working Capital Pilot Program: https://sba.gov
Groupon Windows 11 Key Deal: https://groupon.com

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBizSpotlight #BusinessGrowth #RuralBusiness #WomenInBusiness #SBA #TechDeals #StartupTips #SmallBusinessNews

Small business confidence is climbing—but not everywhere. In this episode, we break down the latest NFIB survey showing optimism rising across most industries while construction slips and retailers remain the least upbeat. We’ll talk about what’s driving the mood shift (and what’s still holding owners back), including labor quality concerns and ongoing supply chain headaches.

Then we dig into a new SBA–USDA data-sharing agreement designed to strengthen fraud detection in federal programs—what it could mean for small businesses that rely on government support, and why scammers may pivot as oversight tightens.

Plus: Uber’s air taxi plans with Joby and what “Uber Air” could signal for urban travel and business logistics, Square’s upgraded Register (faster performance, tougher design), and a quick look at deals worth watching—followed by a handful of real-world small business lessons from Reddit.

#SmallBusiness #SmallBizNews #Entrepreneurship #NFIB #SBA #FraudPrevention #Retail #Construction

In this episode, we break down four stories small business owners should have on their radar—plus a few timely deals and real-world lessons from Reddit.

First, Microsoft’s “Project Silica” points to a future where businesses could store critical records on glass for up to 10,000 years—a potential game-changer for long-term archiving in industries like healthcare, legal services, and the creative world.

Next, a new NFIB survey shows how rising energy costs are squeezing small businesses. Many owners say higher utility bills are forcing tough choices like absorbing lower profits or raising prices.

We also look at a big shift in the vehicle market: after key EV tax credits expired, EV sales dipped and hybrids gained ground.

Finally, Zoho marks 30 years with a major milestone—1 million paying customers—highlighting the growing demand for all-in-one software platforms that help small teams reduce tool sprawl, centralize data, and automate core workflows.

Microsoft Project Silica: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/project-silicas-advances-in-glass-storage-technology/
NFIB Energy Survey (PDF): https://www.nfib.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NFIB-2026-Energy-Survey.pdf
EIA on EVs/Hybrids: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67144
Zoho 1M Customers: https://www.zohocorp.com/one-million.html

Moo: https://www.moo.com/us/hello/20-off-everything-at-moo
Microsoft 365: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/premium-upgrade
Visa x Dropbox: https://usa.visa.com/en_us/visa-offers-and-perks/dropbox/168520

Conference overspend: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r86gly/spent_more_on_a_conference_than_i_meant_to_and/
Talking business with mom: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r8k31a/how_do_i_explain_to_my_mom_that_someone_wants_to/
Dump trailer demand: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r5nb8q/i_got_a_dump_trailer_and_now_i_cant_keep_up_with/
Growing secondhand biz: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r6ii9k/how_do_you_grow_a_secondhand_business_when/

#SmallBusiness #SmallBizNews #Entrepreneurship #TechNews #EnergyCosts #EVs #Hybrids #Zoho #Productivity #SmallBusinessOwners

At SuiteConnect 2026 in New York, I sat down with Craig Dubitsky, Founder & CEO of happy®, to talk about what it really takes to scale a fast-growing consumer brand—and why the right back-end systems matter when things move too fast.

Craig shares a true “we broke the old system” story from his previous company (Hello), where explosive retail growth forced a full ERP migration over a single weekend—and why that experience made starting happy® on NetSuite from day one a no-brainer. We dig into how visibility across inventory, logistics, finance, and performance data helps his team make faster decisions, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and focus marketing dollars where they’ll actually pay off.

He also gets candid about the brutal realities of scaling distribution—component shortages, packaging complexity, supply chain chaos—and then pivots to what happy® is ultimately building: a brand that pairs great coffee with a real commitment to mental health. Craig explains their partnership with NAMI, their mission to reduce stigma, and why they’ve made mental health support a visible part of every product.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Happy and Craig Dubitsky

02:55 The Growth Journey of Happy

05:59 Operational Challenges and Marketing Strategies

09:00 Leveraging Data for Decision Making

11:55 The Importance of Tools in Entrepreneurship

14:54 Financial Reporting and Business Insights

18:13 Supply Chain and Logistics Challenges

20:58 Mental Health Advocacy and Philanthropy

#SmallBusiness #SuiteConnect #NetSuite #ERP #BusinessGrowth #ScalingUp #SupplyChain #InventoryManagement #FinancialReporting #DataDriven #MarketingStrategy #CPG #Retail #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #NAMI #FounderStory #SmallBizSpotlight