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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSmall businesses commonly struggle to reach customers, manage costs and cash flow, find qualified staff, and keep day-to-day operations secure. In the Federal Reserve Banks’ 2026 report on employer firms, reaching customers and growing sales was the most frequently reported operational challenge, while rising costs led the financial challenges. The findings describe surveyed U.S. employer firms—not every small business—and point to problems to plan for, not guaranteed fixes.
1. Reaching customers and growing sales
In the Federal Reserve Banks’ 2026 Report on Employer Firms, 57% of employer firms said reaching customers and growing sales had been an operational challenge in the prior 12 months. Respondents could select multiple challenges, and the figure should not be read as a statistic for all small businesses, including sole proprietors without employees.
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Start with a simple marketing plan. Define the customer you want to reach and the offer you want them to understand. Then choose a small number of channels you can maintain and track whether each one generates inquiries or sales. Compare channels by customer fit, cost, upkeep, and how clearly you can connect activity to results; no single channel suits every industry. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s business-management guidance includes marketing and sales planning. These steps help organize decisions, but do not guarantee growth.
2. Rising costs and uneven cash flow
Cost pressure can make it hard to pay bills on time even when a business is bringing in revenue. In the same Federal Reserve report, 73% of employer firms reported increased costs of goods, services, and/or wages as a financial challenge; 54% reported paying operating expenses as a challenge, and 50% reported uneven cash flow. These are separate, overlapping responses, not mutually exclusive categories. The report also notes that changes to some 2025 survey questions affect comparisons for certain financial measures.
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Use bookkeeping records to map expected receipts against scheduled expenses over a rolling period. Update the forecast as invoices are paid, new costs arise, or expected sales change. Review overdue receivables and major cost categories regularly so you can spot timing gaps and investigate rising expenses early. SBA guidance recommends keeping records of revenue and expenses and using cash-flow projections for planning.
Cash flow and profitability are different. A business can show a profit on paper but still lack enough available cash to cover expenses when they come due. A manual ledger or bookkeeping software may both be workable; choose based on transaction volume, how many people need access, reconciliation and reporting needs, available time, and total cost.
3. Hiring or retaining qualified staff
Finding and keeping people with the right skills is another operational challenge: 46% of employer firms in the 2026 Federal Reserve report said hiring or retaining qualified staff had been a challenge in the prior 12 months. The survey does not establish why firms faced this difficulty or which hiring strategy works best.
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Before recruiting, identify the work that needs coverage and document the responsibilities and skills required. This makes it easier to distinguish essential duties from tasks that could be reorganized or handled another way. If you hire, check the payroll and labor requirements that apply to your business and location. The SBA’s management guidance addresses payroll setup and applicable state and federal labor laws; specific obligations depend on jurisdiction and circumstances. For a concrete compliance question, consult the relevant official agency or a qualified adviser.
4. Managing operations, technology, and cybersecurity
Operational systems—including technology and cybersecurity—can demand time and expertise that a small team may not have. The SBA notes that small businesses may lack the means, time, or expertise to protect digital systems and recommends learning best practices, understanding common threats, and dedicating resources to improvement.
Start with basic safeguards
- Make an inventory of business accounts, devices, and the people who use them.
- Limit access to each account or system to people who need it for their work.
- Keep software and devices updated.
- Train staff to recognize suspicious messages and other work-related communications.
The SBA’s guidance identifies employees and work-related communications as a leading cause of data breaches. Treat that as the SBA’s characterization, not a universal ranking. The agency’s management resources also link to free business counseling and additional support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the survey can—and cannot—tell you
The Federal Reserve Banks’ 2026 report draws on its 2025 Small Business Credit Survey and covers responding employer firms. It offers a useful snapshot of challenges reported by businesses with employees, not a universal ranking for every U.S. small business or a forecast of what any one owner will experience. Its percentages show how often respondents selected challenges; they do not prove that a particular remedy will work.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The SBA Office of Advocacy’s 2025 Small Business Profiles release estimates 36.2 million small businesses in the United States. That broader population is not the same as the employer-firm survey sample, so the survey percentages should not be applied to all 36.2 million businesses.
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