Small Business By The Numbers

Small Business by the Numbers is the NFIB Research Center podcast where we discuss everything related to the small business economy. Co-hosts Holly Wade, the Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, will discuss data, stories, and the economic conditions affecting small businesses nationwide.

Small Business By The Numbers is a business podcast hosted by NFIB, with 14 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

NFIB hosts Small Business By The Numbers, a business show with 14 episodes published.

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  Episode #12

  Ep. 12: Optimism Dips in August, Remains Above Long-Term Average

  Sep 8, 202621 minS1

  NFIB’s Holly Wade, Executive Director of the Research Center, and Peter Hansen, Director of Policy Analysis, discuss how August small business data builds on the positive sentiments from July’s survey. The Optimism Index fell 1.1 points to 98.7 but stayed above its 52-year average of 98.0. Holly and Peter also analyze a surprising result in the inflation metrics, the value of price stability, ongoing labor market challenges, and a bit of concern from sales and earnings metrics. Learn about the Small Business Economic Trends report and more small business data at NFIB.com/SBET. Key highlights include August headline: Optimism Index down 1.1 to 98.7 (4:06) Prices unchanged, and what stability is worth to owners (6:40) Employment and labor quality at 23% (10:36) Capital spending and stalled expansion (14:45) Weakened earnings and actual sales (17:27)

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  Small Business By The Numbers

  Ep. 10: June Data: Small Business Optimism Improves, Inflation Ranks as Top Problem

  Jul 14, 202620 min

  Co-Hosts Holly Wade and Peter Hansen dive into the June Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) report. Optimism rose 2.1 points to 97.4 as lower fuel costs provide welcome relief for businesses as well as consumers. Inflation ranks as small business owners’ top problem, up 3 points from May and at its highest since October 2024. Holly and Peter unpack this plus a rebound in hiring signals after May's anomalous dip. Learn more about the Small Business Economic Trends report and small business expectations at NFIB.com/SBET Key highlights include: Index jumps 2.1 points; sales expectations, capital spending, and business-conditions outlook all climb (0:27) Inflation ticks up for a fourth straight month even as fuel prices retreat (1:31) Employment Index holds flat at 100.2 (7:10) Labor questions outside the core index reverse May's anomalous swings (8:56) What the data means for the Fed under incoming chair Kevin Warsh, plus what to watch in July (17:33)

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  Episode #9

  Ep. 9: Headline Indexes Hold Steady, but the Underlying Data Reveals More

  Jun 9, 202619 minS1

  <p>The Small Business Optimism Index slipped approximately half a point (0.6 points) in May, its third consecutive monthly decline. The Employment Index remained essentially flat, though that’s not the whole employment picture. Beneath those two quiet Indexes are trends pulling small businesses into uncomfortable areas: price increases — both actual and planned — are back to 2022-2023 levels and employment, with unfilled job openings and hiring plans falling to levels last seen in May 2020. Holly Wade and Peter Hansen discuss whether these are early "stress fractures" or a single monthly decline.  </p><p>Learn more about the May Small Business Economic Trends...

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  Episode #8

  Ep. 8: Small Business Optimism Remains Below Average but Stable

  May 12, 202617 minS1

  <p>April’s Small Business Economic Trends data shows that optimism has leveled out from March’s sharp decline but remains below the historical average. As businesses continue to adjust to inflated fuel costs, small business owners’ expectations on improving economic conditions fell seven points to their lowest level since October 2024, while earnings trends overall improved for the month. NFIB Research Center Co-hosts, Holly Wade and Peter Hansen, unpack what the trends and research means for small businesses moving forward.   </p><p>Learn more about the April Small Business Economic Trends report and NFIB’s Small Business Employment Index. </p><p>Other hig...

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  Episode #7

  Ep. 7: Small Business Optimism Falls in March

  Apr 14, 202626 minS1

  <p>The March Small Business Economic Trends data is largely reflective of small business owners’ and consumers’ reactions to a dramatic spike in oil prices. Small business owners are having to absorb those higher input costs and pass them along to their customers. NFIB Research Center Co-hosts, Holly Wade and Peter Hansen, calibrate what are considered significant changes in a month like this.  </p><p>Learn more about the February Small Business Economic Trends report and NFIB’s new Small Business Employment Index. </p><p>Other highlights include: </p>NFIB’s Energy survey clearly showed energy was a large component of cost rel...

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