The Small Business Optimism Surge

If you felt isolated and burned-out in 2025, you’re not alone.

But here’s the data that should shift your mindset heading into 2026.

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The Signal

74% of small and mid-sized business owners expect revenue increases in 2026, according to the November 2025 Bank of America Business Owner Report.

Nearly 60% plan to expand their businesses.​

The Deeper Signal

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index hit 99.0 in November, above its 52-year average of 98.

Most critically, the net percent of owners raising prices hit 34%—the highest reading since March 2023.​

What This Means

Operators who felt pressured to undercharge in 2024 are finally pushing back.

Pricing power is returning.

If you didn’t raise your rates in December, the cultural permission structure is now in place to do it in January.​

The Reality Check

61% of operators cited labor shortages as their biggest issue, with 50% personally working more hours due to understaffing.

This is not a “growth without sweat” scenario—it’s “growth with strategic positioning”.​

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