Small business owners across the country are having a tough time with money pressures, according to the latest report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The new figures for the first part of 2025 show that business confidence is at -40.7 points. This is slightly better than the end of 2024 when it was at -64.7 points, but it’s still negative, which means most business owners are worried about the future.
The numbers show that 85% of businesses are facing higher costs. Almost half (47%) say that taxes are their biggest problem when trying to grow their business.
The FSB is asking the government for help. They want money back for business owners who pay for employee sick leave, action on late payments, and changes to make hiring people easier.
Tina McKenzie from the FSB said: “There is no way to sugarcoat the impact that rising costs and higher taxes are having on small firms.”
For small business owners like me, these aren’t just statistics – they show the real struggle of trying to keep our businesses open when everything is getting more expensive.
Taking Control of Your Business Future
But there’s good news too. While we can’t control the economy, we can control how we deal with it.
Now is a great time to look closely at your business finances.
Understanding your costs, knowing how much money you need to break even, and figuring out how much you need to make to stay profitable isn’t just smart – it’s necessary to survive in today’s economy.
Business owners who understand their numbers sleep better at night and do better than competitors who are just guessing.
This is where a business coach can really help.
A coach looks at your business from the outside, helps you find ways to save money, improve how you work, and create plans that fit your specific situation.
They can help you see opportunities that you might miss on your own.
If you’re worried about your business, why lose sleep over it? I’m offering free, private conversations to business owners who want to talk about their challenges and find solutions.
Together, we can look at your situation and make a plan for stability and growth.
Remember, doing something is better than worrying. Instead of stressing about things you can’t control, focus on making your business stronger.
The business owners who will succeed in the coming years aren’t the ones with the fewest problems – they’re the ones who face problems with good plans, toughness, and confidence.
