Small Business Rundown: Recent Episodes
National Federation of Independent Business
NFIB, the leading advocacy group for Small Business, brings on experts to discuss and analyze current issues that directly affect small businesses across the nation.
NFIB's advocacy focuses on connecting and building relationships between small business owners and lawmakers. These relationships are critical in informing legislators about the issues that affect small businesses the most. Learn about events small business owners have attended and relationships formed with lawmakers and hear from members of Congress about the influence small business owners’ stories have on their policies.
Take Action on the most important issues for your business: Take Action on Policies - NFIB
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Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting is still a significant threat for small businesses. NFIB member Nancy Marr explains the costs and burden of the filing process. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad discusses the work Congress is doing, and NFIB Director of Federal Government Relations Josh McLeod provides a legislative update and urges small business owners to push for the repeal of BOI and for an unnecessary database of small business owners’ personal data to be destroyed.
Take action: Repeal Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
Learn more: NFIB.com/ProtectPrivacy
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB State Directors explain tax hikes proposed by their state legislatures and their impact on small businesses. They discuss what small businesses nationwide could face as these policies gain popularity and how small business owners can take action.
Learn more:
- Millionaire Tax in Washington
- Oregon Ballot Victory
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB's annual Fly-In connects small business owners with lawmakers from their states to build relationships and make members of Congress aware of the top issues facing small businesses. Elizabeth Parks, NFIB's Vice President of Federal Government Relations and Grassroots, led a panel discussion featuring NFIB members and small business owners Michael Ervin and Clara Osterhage. The discussion explores how credit card swipe fees and Beneficial Ownership Information reporting are top concerns for their businesses. They also discuss their experience with NFIB's Fly-In event and how meeting with lawmakers helps shape future policies.
Amplify the voices of the NFIB members who met with Congress and take action:
- Repeal Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
- Support the Credit Card Competition Act
Learn more:
- Small Business Owners Converge on Capitol Hill for NFIB Fly-In
- Small Business Owners Bring Viewpoint to Capitol Hill
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Creating a user-friendly website is key to building trust with customers and supporting growth for small businesses. NFIB member and small business owner Vince Wondra explains how small businesses can leverage their resources to create accessible websites and develop their online presence. Senior Attorney with the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Rob Smith discusses Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website accessibility considerations and how small businesses can avoid becoming a target of predatory website accessibility lawsuits.
Learn more:
- How to Avoid ADA Website Lawsuits
- Read the Legal Center Blog to see if your website is ADA compliant
- Learn more about NFIB’s fight to stop predatory website accessibility lawsuits.
- NFIB’s Technology Survey Report (June 2025)
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Workplace safety and health law expert Felicia Watson joins Beth Milito, NFIB Vice President and Executive Director of the Small Business Legal Center, to explain how Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections work and what small business owners need to know to avoid costly penalties. They also discuss resources available to business owners to stay updated on the latest OSHA rule changes.
Resources:
- See NFIB’s new OSHA Inspection Guide to prepare your small business.
- View NFIB’s Legal Guide series for additional resources.
- Watch the webinar with Felicia on June 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET and catch up on past webinars.
If your small business has questions on legal or regulatory issues, you can reach us at info@NFIB.org.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Credit card swipe fees have become one of the top overhead costs for small businesses, and small business owners nationwide need legal protection from these rapidly increasing fees. NFIB’s Rosemary Elebash, Alabama State Director, and Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, discuss a recent win for small business in Alabama and activity in state legislatures, the courts, and Congress. Listen to the full podcast for insight from the experts on what small businesses can expect to be done about swipe fees in the near future.
- Click here to tell your members of Congress to lower swipe fees.
- Learn more and stay up-to-date on this issue.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Get expert tips on wage and hour law changes in 2026 and other employment laws to keep in mind. NFIB’s Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the Small Business Legal Center, and Associate at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, Tony Dalimontediscuss the importance for small business owners to know their rights and the current employment laws to protect their business. Listen to the full podcast for more information on best practices to handle employee situations and avoid lawsuits.
- NFIB’s federal employment law legal guide provides information on federal labor, discrimination, and job-protection laws.
- NFIB’s webinar with Tony Dalimonte, New Year, New Laws: How to Protect Your Business from Employee Lawsuits
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Small business owners Bernie Williamson and Averre Marquis discuss how their small businesses make the most of the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction. This year, more than 33 million small businesses like theirs are able to reinvest more of their hard-earned dollars into their businesses and communities thanks to a 2025 federal tax law. NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations, Dylan Rosnick, explains how to check your eligibility for the deduction and why small business owners’ stories need to be heard by lawmakers in Congress.
Take Action: Create a 1-minute video for lawmakers to hear how you use the 20% Small Business Deduction.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
All employers are required to provide their employees with a workplace that is free from temperature-related hazards, yet a rule proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would add an unnecessary new layer of one-size-fits-all red tape for small businesses. NFIB member Kevin Ciak explains how this harmful rule would affect his business and employees, and U.S. Representative Mark Messmer discusses pro-small business legislation in Congress that would stop the unnecessary rule.
- Tell your members of Congress to support the Heat Workforce Standards Act and protect small businesses from unnecessary, one-size-fits-all OSHA regulations.
- Learn more about the proposal from NFIB’s issue explainer.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB member and small business owner Warren Hudak discusses how rising health care costs affect his small business and competition with big businesses. Crucial legislation in Congress would help small business owners contain rising health insurance costs. U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) explains how this legislation would benefit small businesses.
Take action to reform the broken health insurance system
Learn more about the CHOICE Act.
Learn more about the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Small business issues in state legislatures across the nation often have larger implications beyond an individual state’s borders. Members of NFIB’s State Government Relations team discuss some trending legislative issues as well as their impact on federal legislation. They provide insight into state trends, discuss recent victories and challenges, and explain how NFIB works with members to determine their biggest issues.
Take Action:
- Explain how the 20% Small Business Deduction helped your business.
- Urge FinCEN to destroy beneficial ownership data and Congress to repeal the BOI mandate.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB’s Principal of Federal Government Relations, Louis Bertolotti, and Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, Holly Wade, discuss how increasing energy costs affect small businesses, and legislation being considered in Congress. Holly explains the results of a new energy survey, including specifics on the primary sources of energy costs and their impact on business operations.
Take action: Urge Congress to support affordable and reliable energy.
Learn more: Read the full energy report and learn more about NFIB’s work on energy issues.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB member and small business owner, Greg Niewold, joined the Small Business Rundown to discuss the challenges of state and federal estate taxes – often called the Death Tax – and why this issue is especially important to multi-generational family businesses like his. The estate tax results in double taxation but in July 2025, Congress lightened Americans’ federal estate tax burden, promoting growth and longevity for small, family-owned businesses.
Get more information on the new exemption rates.
Please rate, review, or like the Small Business Rundown to support small business issues.
NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team provides their expectations for small business legislative priorities in 2026. They discuss the 20% Small Business Deduction victory in 2025, and new top priorities including beneficial ownership reporting, health care affordability, energy costs, and more!
TAKE ACTION:
- Read the full list of NFIB’s 2026 Small Business Legislative Priorities in Congress.
- Urge Congress to repeal beneficial ownership reporting requirements.
- Take action on the issues that matter to your small business.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
NFIB President Brad Close discusses NFIB’s new list of ways Congress can take action to support small businesses in 2026. Close discusses the current state of small business and victories in 2025. He also explains several federal legislative priorities including credit card swipe fee competition, affordable health care, repealing the Beneficial Ownership reporting law, and reining-in lawsuits funded by foreign, third-party investors.
Read the full list of NFIB’s 2026 Small Business Legislative Priorities.
Take action on the issues that matter to your small business.
Learn more from the Small Business Legal Center.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Get the inside scoop on NFIB’s newest podcast, Small Business by the Numbers, co-hosted by Holly Wade, the Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis. Holly joins the Small Business Rundown to share the background story of the NFIB Research Center’s new podcast and what listeners can expect from each episode. Tune in to learn more about NFIB’s monthly Small Business Economic Trends report, stories, and the economic conditions affecting small businesses nationwide.
Listen to all the latest episodes of Small Business by the Numbers.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business research.
Finding the best ways to market your small business can be a difficult task. In this episode, NFIB member Karen Stanley, small business owner and Marketing Director at Neon Frog agency, provides tips to revamp your marketing strategy, discusses what tactics work, and outlines simple steps for getting started.
Listen to this Small Business Rundown episode for social media marketing tips.
Learn more about marketing during the holiday season from this NFIB webinar.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
A new federal tax law passed this year affects a variety of taxes for small businesses and employees. Clarifying the tax relief for employees earning tips and overtime are Stephen Kenney, an Associate at one of the largest labor and employment law firms, and Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center. They answer pressing questions and explain the impact of the new tax policies for small business owners.
Learn more:
- Watch the full webinar free on-demand.
- Review NFIB’s legal guide series for resources on taxes and other legal issues.
- Contact the NFIB Small Business Legal Center with questions on this or other legal problems at info@nfib.org.
Please rate, review, or like this podcast to support small business issues.
Nationwide, beneficial ownership reporting requirements are on hold for U.S. small businesses, but in New York, state lawmakers are doubling down with a state-level requirement to force small businesses to register personally identifiable information with the New York Department of State. NFIB State Region Director, Greg Biryla, and NFIB Director of Federal Government Relations, Josh McLeod, discuss the impact of the bill heading to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk and what small business owners can do to fight back.
- Tell Governor Hochul to veto this invasive legislation.
- Learn more about the reporting requirement in New York.
- Tell Congress to repeal the federal Beneficial Ownership reporting requirement.
Please rate, review, or like the Small Business Rundown to support small business issues.
NFIB’s Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the Small Business Legal Center, and Senior Attorney Rob Smith, discuss credit card surcharge fees and the impact of rising swipe fees on small businesses. Listen to the full podcast for more information on state and federal regulations and how upcoming legislation could limit growing swipe fees.
- NFIB’s Credit Card Surcharge and Cash Discount Laws Guide offers small businesses with critical information on their state’s laws and regulations.
- Support credit card competition! Connect with your lawmakers and let them know that more options provide freedom of choice for small businesses!
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Research shows a tight labor market, making it difficult for small businesses to find qualified workers. NFIB experts Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the Small Business Legal Center, and Holly Wade, Vice President of the Research Center, discuss hiring and retaining qualified workers through a tight labor market. Get strategies to compete for talent and research-backed insights into the current job market.
- Watch NFIB’s webinar on-demand: Hiring and Retention Tips in a Tight Labor Market.
- The August Small Business Economic Trends report features data focused on small business optimism, labor trends, and the top issues affecting small businesses.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Texas voters can provide immediate, meaningful tax relief by voting ‘YES’ on Prop 9 in the November election. NFIB member and small business owner Tim Green, Region State Director Dawn McVea, and Texas State Director Jeff Burdett, discuss Prop 9, a Texas ballot issue, and the importance of its passage. Tim explains how the inventory tax affects his small business and employees. Dawn and Jeff provide details about what Prop 9 means for the growth and development of Texas small businesses and how to make the voice of small business heard in support of this critical legislation.
- Find resources and voting information at NFIB’s Voting Hub.
- Support Texas small business and vote YES on Prop 9.
- Learn more about how Prop 9 benefits small business growth.
Please rate, review, or like the Small Business Rundown to support small business issues.
Pol. Adv. paid for by the National Federation of Independent Business
Small business owner and NFIB member Kenny Crenshaw with Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Beth Milito discuss recent legal cases and how small business owners can drive change for better laws and regulations. Beth provides an update on court cases in the next U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) term that may impact small businesses going forward.
- NFIB’s SCOTUS recap analyzes wins from key cases in the 2024-2025 term.
- Legal resources and guides are available to support small business owners.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Rodney Wideman, a Missouri small business owner and Congressman Jason Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee (MO-08) explain the impact of a new law that stopped a massive federal tax hike on small businesses by making the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent. They discuss this historic tax victory for small businesses and the importance of small business owners’ voices in the legislative process.
- Make your voice heard! Tell Congress how their action to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent affects the future of your small business.
- Watch NFIB’s webinar on-demand to learn more about small business policies in recent legislation.
If you liked this episode, please help small business owners find the podcast by giving it a rating, like, or review.
John Byers, Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative August Pfluger of Texas, discusses best practices for connecting with members of Congress and how small business owners’ perspectives shape future legislation.
- Make your voice heard! Contact your elected officials today.
Rate and review the Small Business Rundown on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.
NFIB experts Tim Goodrich, Vice President of State Government Relations and Dylan Rosnick, Principal of Federal Government Relations discuss the impact of labor unions on small business and the latest legislation related to unionization. They explore pro-union policy threats in the states and Congress and how small business owners can get involved in advocacy on these crucial issues.
Take Action: Urge your legislators to stop the harmful PRO Act.
Learn more about labor policy issues.
Read an opinion article on labor threats by an NFIB expert.
Get state-specific news and information at NFIB.com.
NFIB member and small business owner Steve Flanagan provides his first-hand experience dealing with the challenges of beneficial ownership reporting. NFIB’s Director of Federal Government Relations, Josh McLeod, explains the status of the mandate and why action is needed to protect small businesses from it permanently.
- Make your voice heard! Tell Congress to repeal Beneficial Ownership Information reporting.
- Beneficial Ownership Information reporting fast facts.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest on FinCEN’s BOI reporting rule.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB President Brad Close and Vice President of Federal Government Regulations Jeff Brabant shed light on a major small business victory. Hear how NFIB members made their voices heard and how the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction was made permanent to stop a massive tax hike on small business.
- Make your voice heard! Tell Congress what the now-permanent Small Business Deduction means for your small business.
- Watch NFIB’s webinar on-demand to learn more about the small business policies passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- See how members of Congress voted during the 119th Congress with our candidate scorecard.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center is joined by Scott Augenbaum, a cybersecurity expert and former FBI agent, to explore how small business owners can protect themselves and their businesses from cybercriminals. They dive into a series of tips for reducing risks and maintaining privacy and data security.
To learn more about cybersecurity and how it can affect your business, watch our free webinar on-demand: Securing Your Small Business: Privacy and Data Security - NFIB
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org. For more information on Scott’s book on cybersecurity, email him at scott@cybersecuremindset.com with the subject line "NFIB Podcast Listener."
Two NFIB members attending NFIB’s annual Fly-In event in Washington, D.C., explain why they took time away from their business to come to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers. Small business owners Shad Hall and April Meier discuss what may happen if the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction expires at the end of the year and the need to repeal unconstitutional and invasive beneficial ownership reporting requirements. Jeff Brabant, NFIB’s Vice President of Federal Government Relations, also weighs in with insights on how Congress may vote on these important issues.
Take Action: Amplify the voices of Shad, April, and all the NFIB members that met with lawmakers during this event.
Learn more:
For more information on how the Small Business Tax Deduction could affect your business, click the link: Stop the Small Business Tax Hike - NFIB
Become an NFIB member and learn more about the benefits of being the voice of small business.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB Member and Pennsylvania small business owner Jim Crooks joins Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center to explore the complexities of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), website compliance, and how lawsuits associated with the ADA could affect your small business. They also dive into steps to take to protect your business from costly ADA website compliance lawsuits.
Learn more:
- ADA Website Accessibility Legal Guide
- Small Business Legal Center blog
- Responding to ADA Lawsuits guide
- ADA updates and lawsuit trends webinar
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s Federal Government Relations experts explain key small business legislation, where it stands in Congress, and predictions on Capitol Hill. Jeff Brabant, Vice President of Federal Government Relations discusses the status of the Small Business Tax Deduction, Director Josh McLeod gives an update on beneficial ownership reporting requirements, and Principal Josselin Castillo highlights the latest health care policy proposals.
Take Action and share you story on the impacts of these critical issues:
- 20% Small Business Tax Deduction
- Beneficial ownership reporting
- Health care costs
- Credit card competition
- Right to repair
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, discusses why credit card chargebacks happen and how to prevent them. Milito explains what a chargeback is, why it is problematic for small business owners, and how they can fight a chargeback.
Learn more in the NFIB Legal Center’s Credit Card Chargeback Guide
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, and Josh Mcleod, Director of NFIB Federal Government Relations explain the recent beneficial ownership victory for small businesses, the current status of the regulatory battle, and what it means for small businesses. Beth discusses what she’s been hearing from NFIB members, and Josh explains what’s next in the fight to repeal beneficial ownership reporting.
Share your story about why it’s important to permanently overturn BOI reporting.
Learn more and stay up-to-date on beneficial ownership news: ProtectSmallBusiness.org.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
This tax season, small business owners discuss how they use the savings from the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction to invest in their business, employees, and community. NFIB members Kellie Loudin and Tim Corbitt discuss specific ways they use deduction savings and why it is crucial for Congress to make the deduction permanent to prevent a massive tax hike. U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16) is a member of U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and gives his perspective on small business policies in Congress as a small business owner, expectations for the tax bill, and the importance of small business owners getting involved and staying engaged.
Find Line 13 on your IRS form 1040.
See state-specific reports on benefits of the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction.
Send a message to urge your elected officials to make the deduction permanent.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB member Michael Ervin, owner of Coal River Coffee Co. in West Virginia discusses the role of the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction in his small business a what a massive tax hike would mean for his business and employees. U.S. Representative Carol Miller (WV-01) explains her legislative priorities including her view on the Small Business Deduction, and NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant provides legislative updates on small business issues in Congress.
To help support small businesses in your community, please take a moment to reach out to your lawmakers in Congress and urge them to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent before it expires this year.
Get the latest information and resources on the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB member and small business owner Aileen Band, located in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, describes how her small business recovered from being hit by two hurricanes in 2022. California’s NFIB State Director John Kabateck and Florida’s NFIB State Executive Director Bill Herrle give details on the ways NFIB connects small business owners with relevant information and ensures the voice of small business is part of the state’s natural disaster response and recovery. Together, they also discuss the resilience of small businesses fighting through the recent wildfires in California and hurricanes in Florida, and the ways small businesses give back to their communities during devastating times.
Find more rebuilding resources for small businesses affected by recent wildfires in California.
Learn more about Florida news, advocacy efforts and resources.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
This bonus episode focuses on federal beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements. Executive Director and Vice President of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Beth Milito and Vice President of NFIB Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant explain the latest on this unconstitutional federal mandate, NFIB’s lawsuit to stop it, and the details of a victory for 32 million small businesses.
Take action and urge Congress to fully repeal the reporting requirement
Learn more on NFIB’s website
Get information directly from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network website
Send questions to info@nfib.org
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB member Marcie Strouse, U.S. Representative and NFIB member Kevin Hern, and NFIB’s Principal of Federal Government Relations Josselin Castillo discuss the health insurance affordability crisis for small business. Marcie sheds light on the challenges small business owners face offering health insurance to their employees, Rep. Hern provides information on key legislation in Congress, and Castillo explains small businesses’ top priorities in health care policy.
Take Action: Tell Congress to increase health care choices and lower costs for small businesses.
Learn more: “Addressing the Health Insurance Affordability Crisis for Small Businesses” policy paper.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
While attending NFIB’s Small Business Deduction Summit, small business owners Tim Boeve, Derrick Roberts, James Tyson, and Angela Zuba discuss what the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction has enabled their businesses to do, and what would happen if Congress allows it to expire this year causing a massive tax hike. During the Summit, attendees met with members of Congress, shared how they use the deduction, and discussed the urgency to make it permanent. NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant explained the impact of small business owners sharing their stories directly with their elected officials and discussed updates on legislation that would stop the massive tax hike, known as the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.
You can help amplify and reinforce their message with lawmakers by sending your own personalized story on issues that affect your small business. To learn more, go to SmallBusinessDeduction.com.
A recent survey provided an in-depth look at the vital role small businesses play in their communities. NFIB member and small business owner Brian Funtleyder and NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade discuss ways small businesses contribute to their communities and NFIB’s recent survey findings. Hear the ways in which small businesses across the nation, including Brian’s are giving back to their communities and some of the ways pro-small business policies help make that possible.
- Urge Congress to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent before it expires at the end of the year.
- Read the full research report on small businesses’ contributions to their communities.
- Urge Congress to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act and relieve small businesses of its beneficial ownership information reporting requirements.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
A federal small business registry deadline, known as beneficial ownership information reporting, was set to take effect on January 1, but an NFIB lawsuit against it has put that deadline on hold. NFIB member Michael Murray, U.S. Representative Warren Davidson, and the NFIB Small Business Legal Center’s Vice President and Executive Director Beth Milito discuss the latest updates on the law, its impact on small businesses, and efforts to stop it.
TAKE ACTION: Send an email message to your lawmakers in Washington in support of the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB President Brad Close and Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant discuss NFIB members’ top small business policy priorities for the next two years with a new Congress and incoming Presidential Administration. They provide details on the current state of small business in America, legislative priorities, and expectations for the first months of the 119th Congress.
TAKE ACTION:
- Sign NFIB’s petition to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent before it expires at the end of the year.
- Urge Congress to fully repeal the beneficial ownership reporting requirement.
- Urge Congress to inject competition into the credit card market and bring down swipe fees.
- Find more issues that matter to your small business and share your story.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
The path to pro-small business laws and regulation starts with electing candidates who support pro-small business policies. U.S. Representative-elect Mark Messmer (IN-08), and Missouri’s Governor-elect Mike Kehoe – both small business owners and NFIB members – join this episode to discuss why they decided to run for office, why it’s important to have small business owners as lawmakers, and their small business-focused policy priorities.
- Learn more about the effort to stop a massive tax hike on small businesses
- Sign NFIB’s petition to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent.
- Learn more about running for office as a small business owner.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Find out what the recent election results mean for small businesses from experts Tim Goodrich, NFIB’s Vice President of State Government Relations, and Sharon Sussin, NFIB’s Senior National Political Director. They discuss the impact when small business owners run for office and take on roles in state government, and they provide insight into ballot measures and the policy outlook in states across the nation.
Resources:
Get candidate resources and learn more about running for office
Find ways to get involved in your state
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s research shows a labor shortage continues to be an issue, with small business owners reporting little success filling their many job openings. NFIB members Jesus Arriola and Brandi Pine own small businesses in the staffing industry and discuss best practices and challenges in hiring. They highlight how they have diversified the ways they recruit, the reasons they have noticed businesses struggling to find skilled workers, and tips employers can keep in mind when trying to recruit and retain employees.
TAKE ACTION: Make your voice heard on labor and workforce issues such as workplace regulations, and hiring or working as an independent contractor.
More information: NFIB Research Center releases a monthly Small Business Economic Trends report with more information on labor shortages and small business uncertainty.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade explains the findings of a new survey including what small businesses are saying about their biggest tax challenges, how tax policy impacts them, and how they would be affected by the loss of the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction. Also hear directly from several small business owners as they discuss how the end of the Small Business Deduction would affect their business, employees, and community.
Learn more about the 2024 NFIB Tax Survey.
TAKE ACTION: Join the fight with over 95,000 others by signing NFIB’s petition urging Congress to make the Small Business Deduction permanent before it expires at the end of 2025.
Stay up-to-date on the latest in the fight to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Political experts join the Small Business Rundown ahead of Election Day with the inside scoop on the races that matter most to small businesses. Hear from National Political Analyst Jim Ellis and NFIB Senior National Political Director Sharon Sussin about the key battleground races, surprise races that could decide the majority, and issues to keep an eye on as results come in Nov. 5.
Take Action: Join over 80,000 small business owners by signing NFIB’s petition for Congressional action to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent before it expires in 2025.
Voter information and resources can be found on NFIB’s Elections center.
To submit your questions, please email podcast@nfib.org.
A deep dive into a new report by EY explains the positive economic impact if Congress protects small businesses from a massive tax hike, and four small employers detail how the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction empowers their small businesses. Hear from Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center, Brandon Pizzola, a partner with the Quantitative Economics and Statistics Practice at EY, and small business owners from California, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and West Virginia.
NFIB’s top federal advocacy priority is stopping a massive tax hike on nine out of 10 small businesses by making the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent.
- Customize an email to your U.S. Senators and Representatives to amplify this effort.
- Find out if your small business qualifies for the deduction.
- Stay up to date on the latest Small Business Deduction news.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
A new small business registry rule, known as beneficial ownership reporting, went into effect Jan. 1, requiring small businesses to report their beneficial owners to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network by the end of the year. NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Beth Milito and Caleb Kruckenberg, the attorney in a District Court case challenging this law join to provide a legal update on where the case stands and what it means for small business as the compliance deadline nears. Listen for more information on the new small business reporting registry, penalties for not complying, and more about the scheduled hearing on this case.
Take Action: Add your voice to the fight to repeal this rule by customizing a message to your U.S. Senators and Representative.
Learn More: NFIB’s Beneficial Ownership Reporting fact sheet.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Without Congressional action, 9 out of 10 small businesses will face a massive tax hike when the 20% Small Business Deduction expires in 2025. NFIB members Wendy and Marci Bittner of LOSHAW Thermal Technology join to share what the 20% Small Business Deduction has allowed them to do and what it will mean to their business if the deduction is allowed to expire at the end of 2025. Representative Lloyd Smucker discusses why this issue is so important to him and his constituents, and NFIB’s Director of Government Relations Lauren Hancock provides an update on NFIB’s advocacy efforts.
Take Action: Join over 80,000 small business owners in signing NFIB’s petition to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.
Learn more about the issue and status at SmallBusinessDeduction.com
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Social media can be used to expand the reach and awareness of any small business, but it can be difficult to get started and create effective posts for your ideal followers. Financial Literacy Coach and Profit Strategist Jamie Trull shares her first-hand experience using social media to expand her small business. She also provides tips for what platform to start with, how to leverage content, and transitioning followers into customers.
During this episode, Jamie points listeners to several resources, including:
· A free guide to reducing taxes for business owners: JamieTrull.com/TaxGuide
· A financial literacy Facebook group: https://jamietrull.com/group
· Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JamieTrull
· Her Instagram profile: https://instagram.com/jamie.trull
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB experts dive into current legislation, small business court cases, and the latest research findings. Hear from Beth Milito, Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, Holly Wade, Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Jeff Brabant, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations on the status of key federal small business issues.
Take action:
- Stop the massive tax hike by using our simple email tool to tell your lawmakers in Congress to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.
- Urge Congress to pass legislation to repeal the new beneficial ownership reporting regulation.
- Email the Small Business Legal Center with any questions: info@nfib.org
- Take action using our simple email tool to contact your lawmakers about issues like healthcare costs, swipe fees, and more through NFIB’s Advocacy Center.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Government mandated wage increases can be a major concern for small businesses as they seek to operate their business, hire, and keep employees. NFIB member and owner of Everyday Fitness in Redding, California, Larry Fuqua, NFIB State Director John Kabateck, and Vice President of State Government Relations Tim Goodrich dive into the impact of minimum wage increases in California and how the changes in California have a national impact. Larry explains changes his business has made to accommodate minimum wage increases, including tips for other small businesses responding to similar wage mandates.
Take action:
- Share your small business viewpoint on minimum wage nationwide in a survey.
- Learn more at NFIB.com/CA and in California, vote no on Proposition 32 in November. Learn more about Proposition 32 here.
- Share your California small business viewpoint on minimum wage in a short NFIB survey.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB member Jared Cochran shares his experience adapting his small business to the ever-changing online marketplace. Jared and his family own Speed Fabrication, a metal fabrication company and The Fixx, a salon and spa in their Missouri community. He explains some of the best and most challenging parts of owning a small business, how he got started selling on Etsy, and the changes he’s noticed along the way.
Take action and tell Congress to support small businesses by stopping Big Tech’s anticompetitive behavior: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f113294%2fRespond
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a new overtime rule that took effect July 1. NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Beth Milito and Senior Attorney Rob Smith join this episode to discuss the details of the new rule and what it means for small businesses. They also answered common questions from small business owners about compliance on issues like worker classification, choosing salary versus hourly status, and hiring teenagers for seasonal help.
- Send questions on the status of the DOL’s new overtime rule to info@nfib.org
- Get more information about the new overtime rule in a recent webinar: https://www.nfib.com/webinars/new-overtime-rule-effective-july-1-2024-what-small-businesses-need-to-know/
- Get answers to questions about compliance with Wage and Hour laws: https://assets.nfib.com/nfibcom/Wage-and-Hour-Laws-Guide.pdf
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s annual Fly-In took place in Washington D.C. on June 11-12. Over 100 NFIB members gathered to hear expert speakers and meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. NFIB President Brad Close and Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant talk about the event and the two issues small business owners discussed with congressional offices during the Fly-In. Those issues included repealing the new national small business registry and stopping a massive tax increase planned for small businesses.
Sign NFIB’s petition telling Congress to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fPetitions%2f4124%2fRespond
Urge Congress to support the bill to repeal the new national small business registry requirement: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/Campaigns/107617/Respond
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Inflation is the top problem for small business owners and has consistently ranked as one of their top two concerns since November 2021. To help small businesses fight inflation, NFIB called on Congress and the White House to take action in five ways. NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade and Federal Government Relations Vice President Jeff Brabant provide an economic overview, explain why navigating inflation is challenging for small businesses, and how these five steps by Congress and the White House will help reduce inflation.
More information on the top five list: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/Inflation-One-Pager.pdf
Take Action:
- Reduce burdensome regulations: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/113396/respond
- Make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fPetitions%2f4124%2fRespond
- Support adding competition into the credit card marketplace and lower swipe fees: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/97182/respond
- Lower healthcare costs and provide more transparency: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/108597/respond
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
A new small business ownership registry went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, but NFIB is fighting to repeal this burdensome requirement for small business owners. In Congress, Senator Tommy Tuberville and Representative Warren Davidson are sponsoring legislation that would repeal the Corporate Transparency Act and its reporting registry. In this podcast, they explain why they are pushing for this change, discussing its impact on over 30 million small businesses and the security threat caused by the registry’s database. NFIB Vice President of Government Relations Jeff Brabant explains the new reporting requirement, what it means for small business owners, and the penalties for not complying.
Take Action: If you have 20 or fewer full-time employees, urge your elected representatives to support a repeal of the small business registry requirements.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
As the 2024 elections approach, now is a good time to focus on not only the presidential election, but every election on the ballot. NFIB Senior National Political Director Sharon Sussin joins the episode to break down what it means to be the voice of small business, the importance of voting for small business candidates at every level on the ballot, and ways to start getting involved now.
Information about upcoming elections and voting resources can be found at nfib.com/elections.
Find your state specific candidates on your ballot for upcoming elections: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fCandidates
Learn how members of Congress voted on key small business issues this session: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/how-congress-voted/
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
What does shopping small mean, and what is considered a small business? Small business owners in suburban and city environments answer these questions and more in this episode. Kim Duncan, owner of Goldenlight Visions in Manhattan, New York, and Amy Morgan, owner of LeFleur in Washington, Illinois, share how small businesses create neighborhoods, the importance of personal relationships that build customer loyalty, and the crucial customer service that small business shopping provides. NFIB State Director Jim Brown from Tennessee broke down how important small businesses are to his state and the importance of getting to know your elected officials.
Learn more about local issues impacting your community small businesses.
Take Action: Sign NFIB’s petition to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. This will avoid massive tax hikes on small businesses if it expires in 2025.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB member Claudia Smith shares her small business story and the power of her voice. Claudia owns Aggieland Carpet One in College Station, Texas. She’s met with U.S. Senators and explains how the power of her message created an impact lasting well beyond those meetings. Claudia’s story shows that one person’s voice matters and helps lawmakers understand small business issues.
Links from the episode:
Resources on NFIB’s website: https://www.nfib.com/
Take action and share your story with lawmakers: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
As tax season approaches, small business owner Warren Hudak and NFIB Executive Director of the Small Business Legal Center Beth Milito provide tips and resources to help small business owners navigate tax season. Warren shares the invaluable insights and knowledge CPAs provide, and Beth discusses avoiding audits, looming tax-related threats, and upcoming compliance issues that could create problems.
Tax-Saving Strategies for 2024: https://www.nfib.com/webinars/tax-saving-strategies-for-2024-choosing-the-right-entity-and-hiring-your-kids/?utm_source=RedirectSideElement&utm_medium=Amped&utm_campaign=Webinar04032024
NFIB Guide to Taxes: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/NFIB-Guide-to-Taxes.pdf
20% Small Business Deduction Information: Smallbusinessdeduction.com
Ask the CPA webinar: https://www.nfib.com/webinars/ask-the-cpa-you-have-tax-questions-we-have-answers/
Death tax action alert: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/110950/respond
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB President Brad Close responds to the State of the Union and provides insights on small business issues addressed. Brad touches on job growth, inflation, minimum wage, and more topics from the speech. He also provides an update on NFIB’s top policy issue, the 20% Small Business Deduction.
- Join the nationwide Small Business Deduction petition drive: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fPetitions%2f4124%2fRespond
- Urge Congress to repeal the Death Tax: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/110950/respond
- Urge legislators to oppose the Pro Act: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/campaigns/68590/respond
- Learn more about the Small Business Deduction and how it benefits small businesses: Smallbusinessdeduction.com
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
The NFIB Legal Center released an updated Guide to the Employee handbook, one of the most popular in its series of legal guides. Elizabeth Milito, NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director, joins the episode to provide tips for creating the best Employee Handbook for your small business. Learn about the importance of having an employee handbook, vital policies to include, and strategies to consider when creating or updating your small business handbook.
Check out NFIB’s Legal Guide to the Employee Handbook: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/Model-Employee-Handbook-for-Small-Business.pdf
Watch NFIB’s webinar on-demand “Must Have Employee Policies for Small Businesses – Hiring, Firing, and Staying Compliant
https://www.nfib.com/webinars/must-have-employee-policies-for-small-businesses-hiring-firing-and-staying-compliant/
Reach out to the Small Business Legal Center at info@nfib.org or at (800) 552-NFIB
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
This episode answers some of small business owner’s most frequently asked questions. NFIB experts explain NFIB’s advocacy process as well as top priority issues such as making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent, the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) law, workforce shortages, and debt collection issues. Hear the answers to questions related to these topics and more.
TAKE ACTION:
- Petition to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fPetitions%2f4124%2fRespond
- Action alert for CCCA: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f97182%2frespond
- Urge Congress to repeal the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) law: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/Campaigns/107617/Respond
- Get BOI compliance information from an expert guest in a free webinar: https://pages.nfib.com/WBN-2024-01-17-NAT-Beneficial-Ownership-Reporting-Is-Here-PDEW_LP-Register.html
- BOI Fact sheet: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/FinCen-One-pager-12-18-23-update.pdf
- Legal Guide Series for Debt Collection Guide and more: https://www.nfib.com/foundations/legal-center/legal-guide-series/
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB experts explain a new law that went into effect Jan. 1, 2024 and impacts over 32 million small businesses. NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Elizabeth Milito and Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant provide their expertise on the new Beneficial Ownership Information reporting law and what it means for small business owners. Find out how to know if your small business needs to report beneficial owners, who falls under the beneficial owner category, and more.
TAKE ACTION: NFIB is leading the fight against this legislation. Urge Congress to repeal the beneficial ownership reporting requirement: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f107617%2frespond
Learn more about the requirements of the new law on NFIB’s fact sheet: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/FinCen-One-pager-12-18-23-update.pdf
Watch a free NFIB webinar with guest attorney discussing the law in more detail: https://pages.nfib.com/WBN-2024-01-17-NAT-Beneficial-Ownership-Reporting-Is-Here-PDEW_LP-Register.html
If you have any questions about the beneficial ownership reporting requirement, reach out to the NFIB Legal Center at info@nfib.org.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s State Government Relations team represents small business in both Washington D.C., and all 50 states. Each state has a State Director who provides advocacy on behalf of small business owners. Small Business Days are a key part of this program and allow NFIB members to meet with their lawmakers face-to-face and tell their stories. Barbara Quandt, a former small business owner who is now an NFIB Region Director shared her experience attending Small Business Days as an owner and her path to becoming an NFIB employee. Tim Goodrich, NFIB Vice President of State Government Relations, and Elizabeth Parks, Senior Region Grassroots Manager, explain why Small Business Days are important and what members planning to attend can expect.
To learn more about Small Business Day in your state, email Grassroots@NFIB.org or go to NFIB.com/advocacy/choose-your-state.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB President Brad Close and Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant discuss the top federal advocacy issues facing small business in 2024. They provide an outlook for the year ahead with numerous pieces of legislative and regulatory concerns being considered. Among those issues is the fight to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.
Take Action:
- Join other small businesses across the country by signing NFIB’s petition to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fPetitions%2f4124%2fRespond
- Tell members of Congress how the 20% Small Business Deduction has helped your business on NFIB’s action alert: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f106664%2frespond
- Urge your elected official to repeal the new beneficial ownership reporting law that took effect Jan. 1, 2024: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f107617%2frespond
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB has been the voice of small business since it was founded in 1943. Small business owner and NFIB member Robert Lycke Jr., the owner of Kuker-Ranken, Inc. shares why he has continued his business’s NFIB membership for nearly eight decades. NFIB President Brad Close describes some of the key moments and victories in NFIB’s history. NFIB Trainer Randy Karschner has worked for NFIB for 37 years and joins to tell the history of NFIB’s founding, how the core principles were developed, and member-driven strategies that are still used today. Learn more at NFIB.com/80Years.
NFIB’s top small business advocacy priority is preventing a massive tax increase that’s scheduled to affect small business owners at the end of 2025. Members of Congress need to hear how crucial the 20% Small Business Deduction is for Main Street. Visit smallbusinessdeduction.com to learn more and sign our petition.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB’s Federal Government Relations Team discusses top federal advocacy priorities for small businesses in 2023. Jeff Brabant explains NFIB’s top small business priority and important credit card swipe fee legislation. Josselin Castillo covers healthcare concerns of small business owners and breaks down legislation that will offer affordable coverage options, provide transparency of benefits, and reduce paperwork burdens. Josh McLeod gives a rundown of massive regulatory expansions that came up this past year including rulings on the Waters of the United States and the Department of Labor joint employer rule. They also look ahead at proposed rules and implications for small business owners in 2024.
Take action:
- Congress is considering the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. Urge lawmakers to act and tell them how the Small Business Deduction has impacted your small business.
- A new reporting requirement for small businesses is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2024 that will impact 32.6 million small businesses. Tell your elected representatives to delay this burdensome reporting requirement.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Small business owner Bonnie Roerig, NFIB State Director in Colorado Tony Gagliardi, and Vice President for State Government Relations Tim Goodrich discuss a key issue in Colorado that was on the ballot this past election day. Prop HH impacts small businesses in the future by jeopardizing the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Bonnie shares the long-term impacts Prop HH would have had on her small business and others if it had passed. Tony and Tim explain NFIB’s advocacy campaign work to defeat the ballot measure, and the importance of this win for small businesses across the country.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
While Proposition HH was effectively defeated, your lawmakers need to hear your voice on other state and federal issues. You can take action on important small business issues today at NFIB.com/advocacy.
Jim Ellis of The Ellis Insight and Sharon Sussin, NFIB’s Senior National Director, give insights on the recent elections and emerging trends going into the 2024 election year. Jim discusses how the results of the Nov. 7 elections could impact small business, and Sharon explains some of the ways that NFIB’s political team helped educate and engage voters leading up to the election. They also analyzed what was learned from these elections that may apply to the 2024 election cycle.
Get more information on small business issues and NFIB PAC-endorsed candidates this election season at NFIB.com/elections.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Looking to make your voice heard? If you’re an NFIB member, your latest NFIB Member Ballot on federal issues is now available! Vote now at NFIB.com/VoteMyBallot.
NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg and NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade talk about the small business economy as NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) report reaches its 50th anniversary. The economic report results from a monthly survey of a random sample of NFIB members and is used by news media, lawmakers, financial analysts, and academic scholars to understand the small business economic climate and shape federal and state policies. Learn more about the biggest changes and trends the report has shown over the last 50 years.
The October report is now available at NFIB.com/SBET and the 50th anniversary report will be released November 14, at 6 a.m. Eastern.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
Looking to make your voice heard? If you’re an NFIB member, your latest NFIB Member Ballot on federal issues is now available! Vote now at NFIB.com/VoteMyBallot.
U.S. Senator Mike Braun and NFIB experts join this episode to explain new U.S. Department of Labor regulatory proposals. NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Elizabeth Milito and Federal Government Relations Director Jeff Brabant break down regulations being considered, including the independent contractor and overtime rules, which would impact small businesses. Senator Braun shares his experience dealing with burdensome regulations as a small business owner and gives his perspective on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. with problematic small business regulations.
TAKE ACTION: Share how burdensome regulations have impacted your small business and submit your comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed overtime rule before November 7, 2023.
To submit your questions or requests for future podcast topics or guests, please email podcast@nfib.org.
NFIB is the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, but what does that really mean? NFIB’s National Grassroots Strategies Director Jessica Cooper and Senior National Political Director Sharon Sussin break down how NFIB advocates for small businesses and make it easy for small business owners to get involved and take meaningful action in the fight for pro-small business laws and regulations. Jessica dives into the first steps for getting involved with issues that matter to your small business. Sharon explains the importance of having pro-small business candidates run for office, the process of endorsing candidates, and the programs NFIB offers to ensure small business owners vote in every election.
Take action on alerts and surveys that apply to your small business here: NFIB.com/advocacy/now. Visit NFIB’s Election Center for resources to run for office, NFIB’s political action guide, learn about early voting, and register to vote: NFIB.com/elections.
Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Elizabeth Milito discusses recent U.S. Supreme Court cases that affected small business and looked ahead to the new term that starts in October. She shares how the Legal Center chooses which cases to pursue, breaks down the Supreme Court’s decisions in last term’s cases, and explains upcoming cases that are a concern for small businesses.
Find resources and more information about the work of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center and cases that affect the rights of small business owners at NFIB.com/Legal and submit your small business questions at info@NFIB.org.
NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade discusses results from a recent survey on small business banking. The survey asked small business owners about their banking activities and experience accessing credit. Wade compares the findings to a previous survey, explains the impact of the March banking crisis, and discusses the economic outlook of small business owners.
Take Action: Participate in NFIB’s latest surveys and calls to action on issues that affect small businesses: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/
In this episode, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and NFIB President Brad Close discuss the importance of making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. A new campaign launched by NFIB advocates for its permanency by sharing how small business owners use the deduction to reinvest in their businesses and plan for the future. Rep. Cuellar, one of the leaders in the U.S. House who introduced the Main Street Tax Certainty Act in July, explains the benefits of the legislation and its impact on small business owners in his district.
Take Action: If you want to make your voice heard, let your Senators and Representatives know you support making the20% Small Business Deduction permanent by signing NFIB’s petition.
In this episode, NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team gives an update on key legislative issues affecting small business. Their discussion focused on legislative developments coming out of the U.S. House and Senate, top legislative priorities, and advocacy efforts this summer. Topics covered include taxes, financial services policies, labor law, and healthcare. They also provide expectations on the future of current legislation that will affect small businesses such as the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, Credit Card Competition Act, submitting small business owners’ information to the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement (FinCEN) bureau, and the CHOICE Arrangement Act. You can also watch a webinar on-demand to gain a more in-depth understanding of these issues.
Take Action: Share how you have used the money from the 20% Small Business Deduction to invest in your small business or reach out to members of Congress about how swipe fees affect your small business.
Small business owner Laura Lucia and the Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center Holly Wade discuss a toolkit of essential tips for owners looking to expand their small businesses. Holly shares key takeaways from the recent NFIB Small Business Legal Center webinar titled Toolkit Essentials to Grow Your Small Business. Laura, the owner of Lucia Specialized Hauling, plans to expand her small business from locations in New York and Virginia into North Carolina and explains how she’s putting several crucial tips into action. She also discusses some of her expectations for the expansion process and offers advice for other small business owners thinking of expanding.
Visit NFIB.com/webinars to watch a webinar on this topic on-demand. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) also has templates available to update your business plan and grow your business. Have a question for NFIB’s Legal or Research Center? Send it it to info@nfib.org.
This week's episode of the Small Business Rundown features Michelle Smith, an NFIB member and Florida small business owner, Bill Herrle, NFIB's Florida Executive Director, and Tim Goodrich, Vice President of NFIB State Government Relations. They delve into the topic of lawsuit abuse and its impact on small business owners. Bill sheds light on the progress made in Florida with the passage of landmark lawsuit abuse reform, highlighting the instrumental role played by NFIB members like Michelle. Listen in as Michelle shares her firsthand experience and how NFIB's support, including access to legislators, contributed to successful advocacy efforts. The conversation also encompasses national trends in predatory lawsuit abuse behaviors. Tim underscores the importance of small business owners getting actively involved in their state legislatures and Congress to share their stories and champion lawsuit abuse reform (also known as tort reform) in their states.
NFIB’s Advocacy Center has numerous resources for how small business owners can get involved and share their stories at every level of government. To learn more about the Florida Lawsuit Abuse victory, go to NFIB.com/StopFloridaLawsuitAbuse.
Over 150 small business owners descended on Capitol Hill June 12-14 to advocate for pro-small business policies, with a focus on preventing a scheduled tax increase for small businesses and injecting real competition to reduce credit card processing “swipe fees.” In this episode, you’ll hear from a few small business owners who attended the NFIB D.C. Fly-In, NFIB President Brad Close, and VP of NFIB Federal Government Relations Kevin Kuhlman about the advocacy event and its impact in Congress.
At NFIB.com/flyinissues, you can learn more about these two crucial Main Street legislative issues and take the opportunity to send a personalized message to your lawmakers in Congress.
If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share. Also, check out the NFIB California podcast!
In this episode of the Small Business Rundown, Beth Milito, Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, goes over how to determine whether your small business’ workers are considered employees or independent contractors by the IRS. This seemingly simple distinction is actually extremely complex—and can cost small business owners who misclassify thousands of dollars in penalties. Beth covers the difference between independent contractors and employees, the different tests used to determine classification, and common exceptions.
The Small Business Legal Center also offers a printable Independent Contractor guide which can be downloaded here: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/Guide-to-Independent-Contractors-2022.pdf
On this week’s episode of the Small Business Rundown, NFIB member David Henrich joins expert NFIB staff to discuss the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). They talk about how federal agencies often fail to abide by it and what it means for small businesses. The RFA is meant to address the disproportionate impact of federal regulations on small businesses by requiring the agencies to consider, and take into account, the needs and resources of small business when making procedures. They discuss the timeline of the RFA since it went into effect in 1981, why lack of compliance leads to one-size-fits-all regulations, and how these regulations hurt small businesses on a daily basis.
To learn more about legislation in Congress that would protect small businesses by enforcing the RFA take action here: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f105282%2fRespond
If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share. Also, check out the NFIB California podcast!
This episode of the Small Business Rundown features U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and NFIB member Lucas Gjovig discussing energy legislation. Under Scalise’s leadership, the Lower Energy Costs Act, or H.R. 1, was introduced earlier this year and he provides a detailed look at the legislation’s benefits. Lucas Gjovig is a small business owner who works in the energy production industry and explains how H.R. 1 will help small businesses, gives his perspective on the permitting process, and explains how it impacts small businesses. Gjovig also describes his experience testifying before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains and why it’s crucial for small business owners to engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
H.R. 1 passed the U.S. House, and the bill is now waiting on action from the Senate. Urge your Senators to pass the Lower Energy Costs Act here: https://www.nfib.com/advocacy/now/
On this week’s episode of the Small Business Rundown, host Adam Temple was joined by NFIB’s Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg and NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade for a conversation about the U.S. debt limit. They explain the debt ceiling, the difference between debt and deficit, debt cliffs, what it means for the U.S. debt to be higher than the limit, and what the Small Business Optimism Index shows owners expect in the next six months.
For the latest Small Business Economic Trends report, you can visit NFIB.com/SBET. Learn more about the U.S. debt, how long until the U.S. hits the debt cliff, and what that means in NFIB’s debt limit fact sheet: https://strgnfibcom.blob.core.windows.net/nfibcom/The-U.S.-Debt-and-Debt-Limit-Explained.pdf.
Hear from NFIB President Brad Close about Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans for expanded enforcement, and The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act currently with the U.S. Senate. The IRS recently released a plan for how they’ll spend the $80 billion added to their budget, but they left many questions unanswered. Small businesses owner Warren Hudak also joined host Adam Temple to discuss his experience dealing with the IRS. Small businesses are the low-hanging fruit when the IRS hires more staff and increases its enforcement activities. That’s why legislation in Congress that seeks to direct the IRS to prioritize serving taxpayers rather than overwhelmingly focusing on expanded enforcement is crucial for small businesses.
Take Action: Learn more and take a few minutes to encourage your U.S. Senators to pass The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act: https://www.nfib.com/content/analysis/national/how-expanded-irs-enforcement-will-hurt-main-street/
In this episode of the Small Business Rundown, Holly Wade, Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, explains the results of NFIB’s new Small Business Health Insurance Survey. Ever-rising health insurance costs are a significant burden for America’s small businesses, and the data reveals that small businesses are facing a substantial affordability crisis in providing health insurance for their employees. The episode also features an interview with NFIB Member Kelly Moore of Ohio, who answers questions about how her small business has struggled with health insurance costs in a conversation with NFIB Government Relations Manager Josselin Castillo.
The Research Center’s Small Business Health Insurance Survey can be read here: https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/healthcare/new-nfib-survey-health-insurance-costs-remain-a-significant-challenge-for-small-businesses/
You can learn more about how to get involved in NFIB’s healthcare advocacy efforts at: www.nfib.com/healthcare
And tell us about your small business’ experiences with health insurance costs here: https://www.votervoice.net/NFIB/Surveys/3586/Respond
In this episode of the Small Business Rundown, hear small business owners Wylie McDade and Tina Miller’s Congressional testimonies on the state of small business economy and the benefits of the Small Business Deduction – a federal tax deduction that allows small businesses organized as pass-through entities like Sole Proprietorships, S-Corporations, Partnerships, and LLCs, to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income. Next, U.S. Representative John Duarte speaks about the importance of making the Small Business Deduction permanent and NFIB’s Director of Government Relations, Courtney Titus Brooks, joins host Adam Temple to explain how small business owners use the deduction and where it stands in Congress.
For more information on the small business deduction ad campaign click here to read an article and watch the ad.
In this episode of the Small Business Rundown, NFIB's Senior Vice President of Advocacy Adam Temple interviews Beth Milito, Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and its impact on small business owners. Beth goes in-depth on various aspects of FLSA compliance, such as:
- Distinguishing between employees and independent contractors
- Minimum wage
- Tipped employees
- Overtime pay guidelines
- Child labor rules
- Record keeping and notice posting
Milito provides useful information on these topics and warns listeners of the penalties for non-compliance.
The Small Business Legal Center also offers a printable Wage and Hour Guide on this topic, which can be read here.
NFIB members can also receive a free federal labor law poster that includes the FLSA requirements by calling (800) 552-NFIB or emailing info@NFIB.org.
U.S. Representative John Duarte (CA-13), a small business owner and NFIB member, joins Small Business Rundown host Adam Temple to discuss how his small business experienced unfair treatment from the federal government on Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation enforcement.
Rep. Duarte explains how he was ordered to stop farming his own land and sued by the federal government for millions of dollars – even though there was no evidence that he damaged a single wetland on his property. Rep. Duarte also describes efforts in Congress to rein in overreaching WOTUS regulation, and how business owners can make their voices heard on this important issue.
Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Beth Milito also joins to discuss the WOTUS legal battle currently at the U.S. Supreme Court.
For more information on WOTUS and how it affects small businesses, see NFIB’s fact sheet here.
Host Adam Temple is joined by Beth Milito, executive director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, and Holly Wade, executive director of the NFIB Research Center. Holly and Beth discuss keys to set your small business on a path for success this year – steps based in part on the findings of monthly research into small business economic trends and the thousands of questions these experts have answered during webinars on topics like taxes, regulations, compliance, and COVID-19 recovery assistance for small businesses. Holly and Beth touch on steps from marketing and employee retention in a tough labor market to financial and operational best practices to tools like the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
Related resources:
- For a deeper dive on this topic, watch their “Seven Essential New Year’s Resolutions for Small Business” free webinar, here.
- NFIB’s free ERTC tips and on-demand webinar “Expert CPA Tips for 2023” can be viewed here.
- NFIB’s free on-demand webinar “What’s Your Digital Marketing Success Plan?” can be viewed here.
- NFIB’s free legal guide series, including NFIB’s Small Business Model Employee Handbook, can be downloaded here.
On the first-ever episode of the Small Business Rundown, NFIB’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy Adam Temple sits down with the head of NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team, Kevin Kuhlman, to discuss the new two-year session of Congress and what small business owners can be looking out for.
Kevin and Adam discuss small businesses’ priorities for the next two-year session of Congress, including taxes, labor, regulations, competition, and healthcare. These priorities are summarized in a pro-small business legislative agenda that NFIB brings to lawmakers, called the Small Business Growth Agenda for the 118th Congress. You can read the full Growth Agenda here.