Here’s a strange split showing up in the small-business numbers this year: owners believe in themselves, but they don’t believe in the economy.
In Citizens’ Q3 2026 Business Pulse survey, half of small business owners said they expect revenue to grow over the next three months, the most optimistic reading of the year. But only 24% said they were very confident in the U.S. economy, down from 36% the quarter before. The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index slipped to 97.9 in September, with owners naming inflation and labor quality among their biggest headaches.
If you run a business (or a coaching practice), that split probably sounds familiar. You know your clients and your value. You just can’t control gas prices, interest rates, or the headlines.
Focus on what you control
Know your numbers weekly, not quarterly. Revenue in, expenses out, and how many months of runway you have. Fear grows in the dark.
Tighten, don’t freeze. The surveys show owners aren’t making dramatic moves, and that’s wise. But cutting all marketing in an uncertain season is how you disappear. Cut waste, not visibility.
Use AI where it saves you real hours. LegalZoom’s 2026 survey found that more than half of small business owners plan to expand their use of AI tools this year. Start with the boring stuff: scheduling, follow-ups, first drafts of social posts.
Double down on relationships. In shaky times, people buy from people they trust. Call your best clients. Ask for referrals. Thank people out loud.
Your mindset is part of your business plan
Owners carry a special kind of stress: it’s your name, your savings, and often your family’s security on the line. A business coach gives you a place to think clearly instead of reacting to every scary headline.
For coaches building a practice
If you’re a coach trying to get seen, Life Coaching Today was built for you: directory placement, magazine features, articles, and live TikTok spots. See what’s included on our Coach Start page.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
Book a free discovery call with a Life Coaching Today business coach: Find a Coach.
📕 Red Flags: A Woman’s Survival Guide to Dating in the Manosphere by Georgia Ann Hunter Jones and Kiddada Asmara Grey. Get your copy here.
Just Ask Maxx is a Master Relationship Coach, Master Hypnotherapist, Certified NLP Practitioner and Certified Divorce Mediator with Life Coaching Today. Email justaskmaxx@gmail.com or call 215-888-5362.
