Why Business Feels Hard Right Now—And Why You’re Not Alone
Why Business Feels Hard Right Now—And Why You’re Not Alone
(Plus: why pulling back on your marketing might be the wrong move)
Let’s just name it: things feel weird right now. Business owners are feeling it across the board, whether you're running a brick-and-mortar, a service-based biz, or managing a team and trying to hit those quarterly goals, things feel ‘off’.
If you’re wondering why things aren’t “working” like they used to… you’re not imagining it. Consumer confidence is down. Inflation is lingering. People are holding onto their wallets a little tighter. And yes, it’s affecting marketing (and business growth) across the board.
So let’s talk about what’s actually going on and why it matters.
The economy is shifting, and people are nervous
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a record 58% of small business owners say inflation is their biggest challenge right now. That’s the highest level ever reported in their Small Business Index.
Add to that recent headlines about tariffs, layoffs, and looming recession fears? People are tired, and they’re spending more cautiously. One article from Newsweek noted that shoppers are starting to pull back, choosing to delay or avoid purchases they don’t absolutely need.
If it feels like it’s harder to get people to click “buy” or book a call, it’s not just you!
Consumers aren’t saying “no”, they’re just taking longer to say “yes”
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: in economic slowdowns, the buying cycle gets longer.
People need more time, more reassurance, and more touchpoints before they convert. That means your content has to work harder to build trust and show value. Remember, getting conversions from your marketing is not about shouting louder, it’s about showing up more consistently and more strategically.
So if you’re still showing up and not seeing results yet? Don’t panic. You’re likely still nurturing people who do want what you offer, they just need more time (and more content that speaks directly to what they care about right now).
Hiring is down. Morale is weird. Burnout is real.
A recent survey covered by Inc. Magazine showed that small business teams are reporting higher rates of stress and burnout compared to employees at larger companies. Hiring is slower. Budgets are tighter. Owners and employees alike are doing more with less.
This affects how people show up to work and how businesses perform.
So if your team feels like it’s at capacity… or you’re wondering why growth feels harder this quarter… there’s a real reason behind that.
Now is not the time to ghost your audience
With all of this going on, it might be tempting to hit pause on your marketing, but disappearing during hard times makes it even harder to bounce back when things pick up.
Your people still need to hear from you. In fact, they probably need it more now. Strategic, consistent content helps you stay top-of-mind, continue to build trust, and nurture leads who are moving through longer buying cycles.
Even if sales aren’t flowing like normal, your marketing can still build relationships and plant seeds that grow into future clients or customers.
So what do you actually do right now?
Here’s what we’re recommending to our clients:
Focus on connection-based content. Let your audience know you see them and understand what they’re going through.
Prioritize quality over quantity. You don’t need to post every day—you need to post things that matter.
Stay consistent. Now’s not the time to disappear and wait it out.
Track what’s working. The data will tell you where your people are paying attention—and where to double down.
The bottom line? You’re not alone.
So many business owners are in the same boat. If your content feels like it’s falling flat or your growth has slowed, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It means you’re marketing during a tough season, and that requires a different kind of strategy.
Hang in there. Keep showing up. And remember: the businesses that stay visible, stay connected, and keep building trust? Those are the ones that make it through and come out even stronger!
Sources
World Economic Forum – In 2025, businesses will embrace risk. Here’s why.
Fortune – Consumer confidence, inflation, and cautious spending
Inc. – Survey: Small business staff struggling more than workers at large companies
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Index, Q1 2025
Newsweek – Americans cut back on spending amid recession fears
Vox – How Trump’s tariffs could cause stagflation
Industrial Distribution – Small business owners feel more uncertain about the future
