Small business confidence is climbing—but not everywhere. In this episode, we break down the latest NFIB survey showing optimism rising across most industries while construction slips and retailers remain the least upbeat. We’ll talk about what’s driving the mood shift (and what’s still holding owners back), including labor quality concerns and ongoing supply chain headaches.

Then we dig into a new SBA–USDA data-sharing agreement designed to strengthen fraud detection in federal programs—what it could mean for small businesses that rely on government support, and why scammers may pivot as oversight tightens.

Plus: Uber’s air taxi plans with Joby and what “Uber Air” could signal for urban travel and business logistics, Square’s upgraded Register (faster performance, tougher design), and a quick look at deals worth watching—followed by a handful of real-world small business lessons from Reddit.

#SmallBusiness #SmallBizNews #Entrepreneurship #NFIB #SBA #FraudPrevention #Retail #Construction

In this episode, we break down four stories small business owners should have on their radar—plus a few timely deals and real-world lessons from Reddit.

First, Microsoft’s “Project Silica” points to a future where businesses could store critical records on glass for up to 10,000 years—a potential game-changer for long-term archiving in industries like healthcare, legal services, and the creative world.

Next, a new NFIB survey shows how rising energy costs are squeezing small businesses. Many owners say higher utility bills are forcing tough choices like absorbing lower profits or raising prices.

We also look at a big shift in the vehicle market: after key EV tax credits expired, EV sales dipped and hybrids gained ground.

Finally, Zoho marks 30 years with a major milestone—1 million paying customers—highlighting the growing demand for all-in-one software platforms that help small teams reduce tool sprawl, centralize data, and automate core workflows.

Microsoft Project Silica: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/project-silicas-advances-in-glass-storage-technology/
NFIB Energy Survey (PDF): https://www.nfib.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NFIB-2026-Energy-Survey.pdf
EIA on EVs/Hybrids: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67144
Zoho 1M Customers: https://www.zohocorp.com/one-million.html

Moo: https://www.moo.com/us/hello/20-off-everything-at-moo
Microsoft 365: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/premium-upgrade
Visa x Dropbox: https://usa.visa.com/en_us/visa-offers-and-perks/dropbox/168520

Conference overspend: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r86gly/spent_more_on_a_conference_than_i_meant_to_and/
Talking business with mom: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r8k31a/how_do_i_explain_to_my_mom_that_someone_wants_to/
Dump trailer demand: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r5nb8q/i_got_a_dump_trailer_and_now_i_cant_keep_up_with/
Growing secondhand biz: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1r6ii9k/how_do_you_grow_a_secondhand_business_when/

#SmallBusiness #SmallBizNews #Entrepreneurship #TechNews #EnergyCosts #EVs #Hybrids #Zoho #Productivity #SmallBusinessOwners

At SuiteConnect 2026 in New York, I sat down with Craig Dubitsky, Founder & CEO of happy®, to talk about what it really takes to scale a fast-growing consumer brand—and why the right back-end systems matter when things move too fast.

Craig shares a true “we broke the old system” story from his previous company (Hello), where explosive retail growth forced a full ERP migration over a single weekend—and why that experience made starting happy® on NetSuite from day one a no-brainer. We dig into how visibility across inventory, logistics, finance, and performance data helps his team make faster decisions, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and focus marketing dollars where they’ll actually pay off.

He also gets candid about the brutal realities of scaling distribution—component shortages, packaging complexity, supply chain chaos—and then pivots to what happy® is ultimately building: a brand that pairs great coffee with a real commitment to mental health. Craig explains their partnership with NAMI, their mission to reduce stigma, and why they’ve made mental health support a visible part of every product.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Happy and Craig Dubitsky

02:55 The Growth Journey of Happy

05:59 Operational Challenges and Marketing Strategies

09:00 Leveraging Data for Decision Making

11:55 The Importance of Tools in Entrepreneurship

14:54 Financial Reporting and Business Insights

18:13 Supply Chain and Logistics Challenges

20:58 Mental Health Advocacy and Philanthropy

#SmallBusiness #SuiteConnect #NetSuite #ERP #BusinessGrowth #ScalingUp #SupplyChain #InventoryManagement #FinancialReporting #DataDriven #MarketingStrategy #CPG #Retail #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #NAMI #FounderStory #SmallBizSpotlight