Small Biz Breakdown: The Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Small Businesses

On the latest edition of Small Biz Breakdown, our expert panel discusses the latest economic conditions and how they might be impact small business owners and entrepreneurs.

How are the current stock market conditions, tariffs from the Trump administration, and other factors affecting small business owners right now? The panel on Small Biz Breakdown weighs in on this topic and many more this week.

To see what they have to say, check out the always lively discussion on the latest episode below …

Small Business News Roundup

Here are the latest headlines important for small business owners:

Xero and Sumday Partner to Offer Free Carbon Accounting Tools to Small Businesses

Xero has announced an expanded partnership with carbon accounting software provider Sumday, offering Xero customers 12 months of free access to Sumday’s tools to help track and manage their carbon footprint.

Nimble Launches Email Marketing and Template Editor to Support Scalable Campaigns

Nimble, a CRM platform tailored to small businesses and marketing professionals, has introduced its new Email Marketing feature, enabling users to conduct large-scale, HTML-powered, and trackable email campaigns directly from within the platform. The feature, announced on April 3, 2025, is designed to support outreach efforts such as newsletters, webinars, and promotional messages.

Remote Work Gains Ground Despite Return-to-Office Push, Study Finds

A new study by Flatworld Solutions shows that remote work in the United States continues to gain momentum in 2025, even as some major companies reinstate return-to-office (RTO) mandates.

ADP: Private Sector Adds 155,000 Jobs in March; Annual Pay Up 4.6%

Private sector employment in the United States grew by 155,000 jobs in March, while annual pay increased 4.6% year-over-year, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report produced in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. The report offers a high-frequency, independent view of the labor market using anonymized payroll data from more than 25 million U.S.

Instacart Launches Will Call Delivery to Solve Supply Chain Disruptions for Foodservice Industry

Instacart has announced the launch of Will Call Delivery, a new solution designed to address urgent same-day supply needs for foodservice distributors and their business customers. The offering aims to mitigate common challenges such as delayed truck dispatches, warehouse fulfillment issues, and the growing expectation for rapid delivery in the hospitality and food retail sectors.

Fiverr Launches Freelancer Equity Program for Top U.S. Talent

Fiverr has introduced a new Freelancer Equity Program aimed at providing top-performing U.S.-based freelancers on its platform with a financial stake in the company. The initiative offers eligible freelancers up to $10,000 in Fiverr shares, with equity grants distributed over four years based on annual eligibility requirements.

CLEAR Moves Payments and Billing to Stripe to Enhance Customer Experience

Stripe announced a new partnership with CLEAR, the identity verification platform trusted by over 30 million customers, to power its billing and payment infrastructure. As of March 24, 2025, CLEAR has officially migrated its online and in-person payments to Stripe, adopting the platform’s suite of tools including Stripe Billing, Stripe Terminal, and Stripe Radar.

How to Move Past Shame When Your Small Business Fails

A lot of small business owners feel shame when their company fails because they link who they are so much with their business. This is compounded when they lose money from people they know. What do we do with this shame? On The Small Business Radio show this week, I interviewed Dr.

Long Beach Launches Visual Improvement Program Grant for Businesses Affected by Vandalism

The City of Long Beach is now accepting applications for its Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant, a financial assistance initiative offering up to $1,500 to small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime or vandalism occurring on or after October 1, 2022. The grant aims to help cover the cost of storefront repairs, boarding, insurance deductibles, and operating expenses.

Cash App Begins Rollout of Afterpay’s Pay Over Time Services to Millions of Users

Cash App has announced it is beginning the rollout of Afterpay’s pay over time offerings to eligible customers across the U.S., bringing the popular Pay-in-4 product to hundreds of thousands of merchant partners starting this week. The integration marks a major step in unifying the two leading fintech brands under a new identity: Cash App Afterpay.

OpenAI Unveils Image Generation Capabilities in GPT-4o

OpenAI has launched its most advanced image generation technology to date, integrating the capability directly into GPT-4o, its natively multimodal model. The new feature is now rolling out to Plus, Pro, Team, and Free users in ChatGPT, with Enterprise and Edu access coming soon. Developers will also gain access via the API in the coming weeks.

Meta Rolls Out New Threads Features for Personalized User Experience

Meta has announced a suite of new features for its Threads app aimed at enhancing personalization and user control. The updates, launched March 20, 2025, include expanded topic tagging, follower-only interaction settings, a customizable feed experience, and improvements to video playback.

Small Biz Breakdown: Are Small Businesses Suffering from AI Burnout?

On this week’s Small Biz Breakdown, our expert panels debates artificial intelligence and its place in business. They talk about whether AI is the answer for any number of business processes or whether people are getting burned out by all the AI talk they hear day after day, especially lately.

Gas Prices Rise as Spring Travel Begins

As Spring Break kicks off across the U.S., drivers are seeing a modest but expected rise in gas prices, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of gas has climbed three cents since last Thursday, now sitting at $3.15. Gas prices typically begin their seasonal climb in spring and tend to peak during the summer months.

SBA Reinstates Lender Fees to Restore Financial Integrity of 7(a) Loan Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reinstated lender fees for its 7(a) loan program, reversing a Biden-era policy that the agency said contributed to financial instability and undermined the program’s zero-subsidy requirement.

This article, "Small Biz Breakdown: The Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

Raleigh Opens Final Round of Facade Rehabilitation Grants for 2025

The City of Raleigh has opened the fourth and final application cycle for its 2025 Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program, a long-standing initiative designed to support exterior improvements to commercial properties across the city. Applications for this round opened on Thursday, April 3, and will be accepted through Sunday, April 27. Award notifications are expected by Friday, May 16.

Originally launched in the 1980s, the Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program provides matching reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 for eligible small business owners and property owners to enhance the exteriors of their buildings. The program aims to stimulate economic activity and revitalize older commercial areas by making storefronts more attractive and functional.

According to the city, more than 100 businesses have benefited from the program over the years, transforming their buildings to better market their goods and services. To qualify, the proposed improvements must be visible from public streets, and the property must be located within the city limits. Residential properties and interior-only renovations are not eligible.

The grant is structured as a matching program, reimbursing applicants up to 50 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs. Businesses located within the city’s designated Economic Development Priority Areas are eligible for up to $10,000 in reimbursement, while those located outside of these zones may qualify for up to $5,000.

Qualifying exterior improvements include the removal of false fronts, repairs or replacements of windows and doors, façade materials, cornices, exterior lighting, and exterior painting when part of a larger rehabilitation effort. For projects involving murals or public art, funds may be used for artist fees, labor, construction, equipment rental, and related materials.

Routine maintenance and projects that do not require permits are not eligible. Additionally, projects already underway or that have received permits prior to application are disqualified from grant consideration. Murals on façades already in good condition are also excluded from eligibility.

To apply, interested property owners or business representatives must first complete a pre-application during the active cycle to determine eligibility. Upon approval, applicants will receive an official application form via email. Ineligible applicants will also be notified.

The city requires all applicants to review the full list of program requirements available in the official program brochure before submitting a pre-application. Assistance and resources, including a Grant Portal User Guide, are also available online.

Businesses can check if they are located within a designated Economic Development Priority Area by entering their address through a tool provided by the city.

With the application window now open, Raleigh officials encourage interested parties to act quickly to take advantage of the opportunity to invest in property improvements and contribute to the city’s ongoing commercial revitalization efforts.

This article, "Raleigh Opens Final Round of Facade Rehabilitation Grants for 2025" was first published on Small Business Trends

Kansas Launches SIGNS Grant to Revitalize Downtown Business Districts

The Kansas Department of Commerce has introduced a new grant program aimed at enhancing the appearance and economic appeal of downtown districts across the state. The Supporting Innovative Growth through New Signage (SIGNS) grant, launched today, will provide $250,000 in total funding to support high-quality, creative signage projects for retail and commercial businesses.

The SIGNS grant is open to a wide range of applicants, including businesses, building owners, municipalities, Main Street organizations, economic development groups, chambers of commerce, foundations, tribal organizations, and other nonprofit community entities. Funding awards will range from $1,000 to $50,000, with a cash match required based on the size of the community:

• Communities with populations between 2,500 and 50,000 must provide a 50% match.
• Communities with fewer than 2,500 residents must provide a 25% match.

To maintain the historic charm of Kansas downtowns, projects must follow the Kansas Commerce Sign Guidelines. Priority will be given to proposals featuring three-dimensional signage and those that use Kansas-based businesses for design and installation.

Grant funds can be used for various aspects of signage projects, including design, purchase, lighting, and installation. To qualify, applications must propose improvements for a minimum of three signs, ideally supporting multiple buildings or businesses within a downtown area. Projects must comply with all state and local regulations, and signage must be completed within six months of grant approval.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a monthly, first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allocated.

For more information about the SIGNS grant, applicants are encouraged to contact Quality Places Manager Sara Bloom at Sara.Bloom@ks.gov or (785) 506-9278.

Image: Canva

This article, "Kansas Launches SIGNS Grant to Revitalize Downtown Business Districts" was first published on Small Business Trends

Raleigh Opens Application Window for Building Up-fit Grant Program

The City of Raleigh has opened the fourth and final application window for its 2024–2025 Building Up-fit Grant program. The current cycle began on Thursday, April 3, and runs through Sunday, April 27. Award notifications are expected by Friday, May 16.

The Building Up-fit Grant is a matching reimbursement initiative that assists small business owners with interior improvements to commercial properties within Raleigh city limits. Designed to promote job creation, economic development, and the revitalization of underused spaces, the grant matches up to 50 percent of qualified construction costs. Projects must include capital improvements and a change in use to qualify.

Applicants must be small business owners with 49 or fewer employees and must occupy the space being upgraded, either through ownership or a lease agreement of at least three years. Franchises, residential properties, and businesses located outside Raleigh are not eligible.

Eligibility and Application Process

To begin the process, potential applicants must first complete a preliminary form to determine eligibility. City staff will contact eligible applicants via email to provide a formal application. Only applications submitted during the active grant window will be considered.

Projects that qualify for funding include upgrades to HVAC, electrical systems, lighting, plumbing, interior construction, restrooms, flooring, and structural modifications. Accessibility improvements, energy efficiency upgrades, and other work that meets code requirements may also be eligible.

Grant funds are awarded after project completion and require submission of paid invoices and receipts. All projects must require permits and must not begin prior to grant approval.

Certain types of work do not qualify, including like-for-like equipment replacements, simple redecorating, signage, exterior improvements, and the purchase of personal or retail items not tied to the construction project. Ineligible projects also include work that does not constitute a change of use or add significant value to the property.

Examples of eligible changes include converting vacant buildings into active office spaces, transforming old warehouses into restaurants, or modifying empty retail space for specialty manufacturing. Projects that activate adjacent vacant areas or expand a current commercial use to include higher-value activities may also qualify.

Grant Limits and Restrictions

Only two grants are permitted per commercial property within a single calendar year. Business owners may receive only one grant within a three-year period. Business owners who were previously denied funding are eligible to reapply in future cycles.

The program prioritizes projects within designated Priority Areas for Economic Development. Businesses in these zones may qualify for enhanced funding terms and amounts.

For businesses seeking additional exterior upgrades, Raleigh offers a separate Facade Rehabilitation Grant that can sometimes be paired with the Building Up-fit Grant, depending on the project and location.

More Information

Full eligibility requirements, program brochures, and FAQs are available through the City of Raleigh’s website. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to review these resources before applying.

This article, "Raleigh Opens Application Window for Building Up-fit Grant Program" was first published on Small Business Trends

LinkedIn Launches New Thinking Game ‘Zip’ with Enhanced User Features

LinkedIn has announced the release of its fifth thinking-oriented game, Zip, marking another addition to its growing collection of games designed to foster connection and engagement among users. Zip is available to play starting today.

The announcement comes nearly a year after LinkedIn Games first launched, and according to the company, user engagement has remained high. “84% of people who play today will play again tomorrow, and 80% will still be playing a week from now,” LinkedIn reported.

LinkedIn states that the games have become “a fun and valuable way to strengthen connections, spark conversations, and encourage friendly competition within professional networks.”

In preparation for the release of Zip, LinkedIn implemented a series of updates to improve the overall gaming experience. These enhancements aim to make gameplay more interactive and accessible, allowing players to better connect through friendly competition.

The new game continues LinkedIn’s efforts to incorporate social interaction into its platform through light, engaging content designed to support professional relationship-building. With Zip, the company builds on the momentum of its previous four game releases, which have been well-received by users worldwide.

Image: LinkedIn

This article, "LinkedIn Launches New Thinking Game ‘Zip’ with Enhanced User Features" was first published on Small Business Trends

IRS Reminds Disaster Victims in 12 States of May 1 Tax Deadline

The Internal Revenue Service issued a reminder Thursday that individuals and businesses in certain disaster-declared areas have until May 1, 2025, to file their 2024 federal income tax returns and make tax payments. The automatic extension applies to taxpayers in parts of twelve states affected by federally declared disasters in 2024.

The IRS emphasized that taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to receive this relief. “If a taxpayer’s address of record is in a disaster area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra time without having to ask for it,” the IRS stated.

Who Qualifies for the May 1 Extension?

The May 1 deadline applies to:

• All residents and businesses in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
• The City and Borough of Juneau in Alaska.
• Chaves County in New Mexico.
• Multiple counties in Tennessee including Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington.
• Dozens of counties and independent cities across Virginia, including Albemarle, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Bristol City, Buchanan, Buckingham, Carroll, Charlotte, Covington City, Craig, Danville City, Dickenson, Floyd, Galax City, Giles, Grayson, Greene, Lee, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, Norton City, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Radford City, Roanoke City, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe.

A full list of eligible localities is available on the IRS website’s Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page.

Requesting Additional Filing Extensions

Taxpayers who require more time beyond May 1, 2025, may request an extension, but it only applies to filing—not payment. The IRS urges taxpayers to request electronic extensions by April 15, 2025. For those in disaster areas needing extensions between April 15 and May 1, requests must be submitted on paper using Form 4868.

Regardless of how it’s filed, the extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 15, 2025, to submit their returns. However, all payments are still due by May 1, 2025. Additional details are available at IRS.gov/extensions.

Fall Deadlines for Other Disaster Areas

The IRS noted that some disaster area taxpayers face different deadlines later this year. These include:

• Oct. 15, 2025, for taxpayers in Los Angeles County, California, due to January wildfires.
• Nov. 3, 2025, for all of Kentucky and specific counties in West Virginia: Boone, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming.

Special Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Attacks in Israel

Taxpayers living or conducting business in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, or those otherwise affected by the terrorist attacks beginning October 7, 2023, also qualify for tax relief. These individuals and entities have until Sept. 30, 2025, to file and pay federal taxes.

What Returns and Payments Are Covered?

The relief covers various filings and payments, including:

• Calendar year 2024 partnership and S Corporation returns (originally due March 17).
• 2024 individual income tax returns and quarterly estimated payments (normally due April 15).
• Calendar year 2024 corporate and fiduciary income tax returns (also due April 15).
• Additional returns, payments, and time-sensitive tax-related actions as outlined on the IRS Disaster Assistance page.

Automatic Relief and Additional Support

“The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area,” the agency noted. However, those who receive a penalty notice for a due date within the postponement period should contact the number on the notice to have penalties removed.

The IRS also offers support for taxpayers whose necessary records are located in the affected disaster area, even if they live elsewhere. This includes aid workers affiliated with recognized government or philanthropic organizations. Affected taxpayers outside of the declared areas can call 866-562-5227 for assistance.

Additionally, individuals and businesses who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses may choose to claim them on the return for the year the loss occurred or the previous year. More information is available in IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts.

This article, "IRS Reminds Disaster Victims in 12 States of May 1 Tax Deadline" was first published on Small Business Trends

New Survey Highlights How Americans Are Embracing AI-Powered Search

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how U.S. consumers search and shop online, according to a new survey released by adMarketplace. The company surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults using a census-balanced sample by age and gender to gauge perceptions and adoption of AI-driven search experiences. The results highlight significant trends for advertisers and publishers as AI becomes more integrated into native search environments.

The findings show that 45% of Americans have used AI-powered search tools, including chat-based engines and AI-driven results. That figure nearly doubles the 27% who report not having tried these tools. Meanwhile, 17% of respondents said they rely more on AI search than traditional methods.

According to adMarketplace, the growth in adoption is fueled primarily by the relevancy and convenience AI delivers. A quarter of respondents cited accurate, relevant results and ease of use as the most compelling reasons to adopt AI-powered search while shopping online.

AI’s integration into native search environments—within apps, websites, and platforms—was emphasized as a key factor in providing a more seamless and personalized shopping journey. The survey indicates that 69% of Americans have interacted with AI-generated prompts and search results, and 53% fall between somewhat likely and very likely to continue doing so.

Personalization emerged as the most valued feature among AI-driven capabilities. Twenty-seven percent of consumers said personalized results based on their inputs were the most important feature of AI-powered search. Other useful features included enhanced shopping experiences and real-time suggestions based on user intent.

The survey also found that AI is already becoming a digital personal shopper for many consumers. Forty-seven percent of respondents reported using AI tools during their online shopping journey, with a quarter of those using them frequently. These results mirror findings from other industry reports, such as one from Adobe, which observed a 1,200% increase in generative AI traffic to retail websites between July 2024 and February 2025.

Despite the growth, adMarketplace notes that generative AI still trails behind channels like paid search in overall traffic. A key insight from the survey shows the gap in AI tool usage, with 47% reporting usage and 40% saying they have not used these tools in their shopping journey.

Demographic data reveals that younger consumers—specifically Millennials and Gen Z—are more open to using AI-powered search compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers. Men, in particular, show greater interest than women across several metrics:

• 30% of men interact with AI-generated results versus 20% of women
• 30% of men value ease of use versus 21% of women
• 20% of men rely more on AI-powered search compared to 14% of women

Still, skepticism remains. About 1 in 5 Americans surveyed expressed no interest in using AI for search or shopping, indicating a level of mistrust or lack of perceived value in the technology. This segment may require more targeted communication to demonstrate the benefits of AI-powered solutions.

As AI continues to evolve, the survey suggests a growing, though uneven, acceptance of AI in search behavior. adMarketplace concludes that advertisers and publishers have an opportunity to harness this shift by embedding AI into their native search experiences and clearly demonstrating how it enhances relevance, engagement, and personalized results.

Image: Envato

This article, "New Survey Highlights How Americans Are Embracing AI-Powered Search" was first published on Small Business Trends