Small Business By The Numbers

NFIB

Small Business by the Numbers is the NFIB Research Center podcast where we discuss everything related to the small business economy. Co-hosts Holly Wade, the Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, will discuss data, stories, and the economic conditions affecting small businesses nationwide.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    December 2025 and Look-ahead for 2026

    The Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) report provides monthly insights into the operating environment for small businesses with data points such as optimism, uncertainty, job openings, pricing, employee compensation, and the health of small businesses. Podcast co-hosts Holly Wade, NFIB Research Center Executive Director, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, discuss the 2025 SBET data reflecting on the top issues for small businesses over the past year, dive into the December numbers, and look ahead at expectations for economic conditions in the upcoming months.   Learn more about the top issues in NFIB’s most recent Small Business Economic Trends report.

    20 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Ep. 3: The History of NFIB Small Business Data

    Take a look back at the 52-year history of NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends report. The monthly report provides experts with a critical data framework for the small business economy. Special guest Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB’s Chief Economist,joins Holly Wade, NFIB Research Center Executive Director, to talk about the report and explore how this data has contributed to our understanding of economic conditions affecting small businesses over the decades.  Learn more about the NFIB Research Center and the most recent Small Business Economic Trends report.

    34 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Ep. 2: Small Business Optimism Increased in November Data

    Holiday shopping is underway, and small business optimism is increasing in NFIB’s recent Small Business Economic Trends data. Co-hosts Holly Wade, NFIB Research Center Executive Director, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, explore causes for the increase in optimism, including positive news on sales, hiring, and compensation plans. They also discuss less encouraging data in the supply and pricing sphere, where inflation-related difficulties are increasing for small businesses.  Learn more about the NFIB Research Center and get the full report.

    24 min
  4. Ep. 1: October Small Business Economic Trends

    11/11/2025

    Ep. 1: October Small Business Economic Trends

    Each month, the NFIB Research Center surveys a random sample of NFIB members to collect data for the Small Business Economic Trends Report. To kick off the new research podcast, co-hosts Holly Wade, Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Peter Hansen, NFIB’s Director of Research and Policy Analysis, dive deeper into the key findings from the October 2025 survey. Their discussion covers numerous trends that have been difficult to track during the government shutdown data blackout. While NFIB’s Optimism Index is just above its historical average, the conversation covers an outlier in the labor market trend, small business’ concerns and challenges, and what to watch for in the coming months.   Learn more about the NFIB Research Center.

    31 min

  5. 11/10/2025

    Welcome to Small Business by the Numbers

    The National Federation of Independent Business has been collecting and analyzing data focused on small businesses for 53 years. In this introductory episode of Small Business by the Numbers, co-hosts Holly Wade, NFIB Research Center Executive Director, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, explainwhy this data matters and provide insight into the topics that will be covered in future episodes.

    10 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Small Business by the Numbers is the NFIB Research Center podcast where we discuss everything related to the small business economy. Co-hosts Holly Wade, the Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, and Peter Hansen, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, will discuss data, stories, and the economic conditions affecting small businesses nationwide.

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