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Hustle Handbook

News, Insights, & Perks for Business Owners

Here’s your quick rundown of the news and trends that matter for small business owners today.

Recent articles

Tariff Relief? Not So Fast for Small Businesses

President Trump has temporarily lowered tariffs on Chinese imports, sparking a stock market rally and easing recession fears. But for small businesses like Vermont’s Bivo, which imports stainless steel water bottles, tariffs remain painfully high—up to 47% on some products. The result: cash flow crunches, reworked business strategies, and projections of sales dropping 30%. While big companies like Walmart feel the pinch, small businesses are especially vulnerable, lacking the resources to weather ongoing trade turbulence.

What this means for you: If your business relies on imports, keep a close eye on tariff changes and consider diversifying your supply chain or renegotiating with suppliers.

Digital Checkout Woes: One-Third of SMB Shoppers Still Enter Payment Data Manually

A new global report finds that over one-third of customers at small and mid-sized businesses still manually enter payment details at checkout. Why does this matter? Friction at checkout means lost sales, especially as more shoppers expect seamless, mobile-first experiences. SMBs who invest in unified commerce—think stored payment info, easy navigation, and mobile compatibility—are seeing revenue growth on par with larger rivals.

Quick tip: Upgrading your checkout process (even just enabling autofill or digital wallets) can make a big difference in conversion rates.

Tax Watch: Small Business Deduction Set to Expire

Heads up—unless Congress acts, the 20% Small Business Deduction is set to expire at the end of 2025. This could mean a significant tax hike for many SMBs, impacting hiring, raises, and investments. The House has passed a bill to make the deduction permanent, but it’s now up to the Senate.

Action step: Talk to your accountant about how the potential change could affect your 2025 planning.

That’s your SMB snapshot for today!
Have questions or want a deeper dive on any topic? Hit reply and let us know what matters most to your business.

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