And some interesting Small Business focused data.
Surprisingly, small business owners appear optimistic despite the chaotic political landscape during Donald Trump’s presidency. According to a recent survey by PNC Bank, seventy-eight percent of small business owners express confidence in their prospects this year, nearing a twenty-three year high. Bluevine also reported a surge in small business confidence, indicating it is at an all-time high.
Adobe’s 2025 Work-Life Balance Report reveals that nearly sixty percent of entrepreneurs enjoy a better work-life balance compared to traditional employment. However, many struggle to disconnect from work, averaging just eleven days off per year. Entrepreneurs report losing sleep due to work-related concerns, with financial worries being the most common issue. A significant number, eighty-two percent, admit that work impacts their rest, with technological changes affecting Baby Boomers and family concerns troubling Millennials. The report indicates a growing reliance on artificial intelligence, with nearly forty percent of entrepreneurs planning to adopt AI tools in 2025 to save time. On average, they save six hours a week, translating to three hundred ten hours annually. Key priorities for AI adoption include lead generation and sales, along with automating accounting tasks. Despite long work hours—over twenty percent of small business owners work more than fifty hours each week—flexible schedules allow many to spend more time with their families. Financial independence remains a primary motivator for starting businesses, with seventy-nine percent of entrepreneurs achieving this goal. When asked how they would use an extra ten hours a week, younger entrepreneurs expressed a desire for more family time, while older generations would focus on health and wellness.
In March 2025, the National Federation of Independent Business reported a decline in small business optimism for February, as the Small Business Optimism Index fell by two point one points to one hundred point seven. Despite this drop, the index remains above the fifty-one-year average. The Uncertainty Index increased by four points, reaching one hundred four, indicating rising concerns among business owners. The survey revealed that the percentage of owners expecting economic improvement dropped by ten points to a net negative thirty-seven percent, while only twelve percent view the current period as a good time to expand. Inflation continues to be a significant concern, with sixteen percent of owners identifying it as their top problem, just behind labor quality. Hiring remains challenging, with thirty-eight percent of owners reporting unfilled job openings, and a net fifteen percent plan to create new jobs in the next three months.
Why do we care?
You might think that after the last story, clearly this shows I’m off base, right? SMB confidence for the win.
The PNC and Bluevine surveys suggest historically high optimism, yet the NFIB data shows growing uncertainty and a decline in expansion plans. This disconnect is important:
Optimism doesn’t necessarily translate into spending. Business owners may feel confident in their own resilience but still hesitate on new investments, particularly in an inflationary environment with hiring challenges.
Industry-specific factors likely drive optimism. Some businesses—particularly those leveraging e-commerce, AI, or automation—may be thriving, while others struggle with labor costs and economic unpredictability.
And remember, to be a small business owner, you have to believe your business will work. Period. That’s an inherenet optimism both to believe in as an operator – frankly, you have to – yet also to be aware of with customers as a risk.
Hiring challenges mean automation and IT outsourcing are more attractive than ever. Market IT services as a cost-effective alternative to hiring full-time staff.
Work-life balance concerns mean IT solutions must focus on true efficiency, not just adding complexity. Provide technology that actually reduces workload, not just another system to manage.
Small businesses want to work smarter, not harder. IT providers that help them do that—without overcomplicating things—will match to customer demand.
