Skip to content

LISTEN: Small Businesses Can Predict Economic Conditions Long Before Anyone Else

LISTEN: Small Businesses Can Predict Economic Conditions Long Before Anyone Else

October 3, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

NFIB State Director Brad Jones discusses small business economic trends with Faune Riggin.

LISTEN: Small Businesses Can Predict Economic Conditions Long Before Anyone Else

While speaking with Cape Girardeau’s Faune Riggin on 960-KZIM, NFIB State Director Brad Jones discussed NFIB’s recent reporting on small business economic trends. “We’ve got small business folks raising their prices and raising compensation for their workers. When you combine those two things, those are two major triggers for inflation,” Jones said. “And as we’ve seen, it hasn’t gone down. We’re not seeing any break. Consequently, I think this is why the overall optimism index has gone down. [Small business owners] are bummed out because some of these things that are happening in the economy, they’re just not getting better.” Jones continued, noting that expectations for better business conditions dropped seven points. “That is a huge, huge drop in this particular survey. If we’ve got small businesses that are that bummed out, I’m really worried to see what’s going to happen in six months, because they’re a great barometer. Our small business people down there on Main Street, in downtown Cape, they know what’s going to happen to the economy long before any of the big experts in D.C. They feel it first.” CLICK HERE to listen to the full interview.
Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

March 9, 2026
Illinois Tax Collections Continue to Climb
Year-over-year tax collections in Illinois were up in February
Read More
March 5, 2026
Colorado Small Business Community Applauds Effort to Eliminate Credit Card Swipe Fees on Sales Taxes
NFIB supports SB 134, which would exclude sales tax from costly swipe fees (also known as interchange fees) charged by credit card networks.
Read More
Small Business Owner Calculates Taxes Finance Expensive Inventory Inflation Cost
March 4, 2026
Small Businesses Commend Ohio Legislature for Passing Critical Tax Conformity Legislation
NFIB encourages Gov. DeWine to sign SB 9 into law quickly
Read More
March 3, 2026
Small Business Deduction Champion Award Presented to Sen. Roger “Doc” Marshall
NFIB presented the award to members of Congress who played a crucial role in making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent
Read More

© 2001 - 2026 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility