10 Resources For Small Business Owners: Podcasts, YouTube, News, and More

TL;DR: Key Small Business Trends Right Now

• Burnout is real, especially during a demanding Q4, and more owners are talking openly about the mental load of running a business.
• Rising tariffs, higher customer expectations, and nonstop new tools are adding pressure instead of making operations easier.
• Small business owners are leaning heavily on community advice for everything from mental health support to software decisions.
• Cost control is a top priority as owners take a closer look at what is truly necessary to run their business well.

Overview

November 2025 brought a moment of reset for many small business owners. Between rising costs, unpredictable customer spending, and economic uncertainty, the mindset shifted from “grow at all costs” to simply “stay strong.” Owners tightened budgets. They found scrappier ways to run their day-to-day. They leaned into community. And they looked for tools that could help them save time and protect margins.

This December, we’re rounding up ten small business resources that helped owners get through November and set up for a stronger 2026. Reddit threads where owners are sharing what’s working, creator advice, market updates, and tools from Homebase.

Here’s what’s helping owners wrap up 2025 with confidence and step into 2026 with a lot more clarity and momentum.

Advice from Small Business Owners: Reddit and Forum Conversations in November 2025

“Sooo… Turns Out Running a Small Business Is Hard” (r/smallbusiness)

This candid late-November post struck a chord as an owner openly shared their surprise at how mentally, emotionally, and financially demanding running a small business can be. Commenters responded with empathy and real talk, sharing experiences with long hours, uneven income, customer stress, and the pressure of being responsible for everything. At the same time, many also emphasized the pride and independence that come with ownership.

Community Takeaway: November’s tone was honest and reflective. Small business ownership offers freedom, but it comes with heavy responsibility. Owners are reminding each other that the hard parts are normal and that persistence, not perfection, drives long-term success.

“I Mentally Cannot Do Another 9–5 Desk Job. I Have To…” (r/smallbusiness)

In this November thread, a burned-out professional shared their desire to leave a traditional 9–5 and start a small business for the sake of their mental health. Dozens of owners chimed in with honest experiences about the realities of entrepreneurship, from flexibility and fulfillment to financial pressure and long workdays. Several stressed the importance of saving a financial buffer before making the leap.

Community Takeaway: More people are turning to small business ownership for flexibility and purpose, but the community is clear that success takes patience, planning, and realistic expectations.

Health Insurance Benefits Seem Impossibly Expensive (r/smallbusiness)

This late-November thread captured widespread frustration with the rising cost of health insurance for small business owners and their teams. Owners compared Marketplace plans, high-deductible options, health-sharing programs, and offering stipends instead of traditional benefits. Several said benefit costs are now one of the biggest barriers to hiring or expanding.

Community Takeaway: Healthcare costs are directly shaping hiring decisions. Many small businesses are rethinking traditional benefits and exploring more flexible coverage options to stay competitive.

Am I Paying Too Much for Bookkeeping? $1,000/Month (r/smallbusiness)

In this late-November post, an owner questioned whether a $1,000 monthly bookkeeping bill was reasonable. Responses varied based on transaction volume, payroll complexity, and reporting needs, but many shared that they had recently renegotiated, switched providers, or taken some work in-house to cut costs. Several emphasized the importance of understanding exactly what services are included.

Community Takeaway: Cost scrutiny is intensifying as 2025 closes. Owners are re-auditing recurring services like bookkeeping, payroll, and software to ensure they’re paying for real value.

2025 Is Almost Over – What’s the Biggest Lesson You’ve Learned Running Your Business? (r/Entrepreneur)

As November wrapped, founders reflected on the biggest lessons of 2025. Common themes included focusing on high-value work, setting stronger client boundaries, tightening internal processes before scaling, and avoiding dependence on just a few large clients. Burnout, over-marketing, and unclear contracts appeared repeatedly as hard-earned lessons.

Community Takeaway: Owners are heading into 2026 more intentional, focused, and systems-driven than ever before.

The Voices Shaping the Moment: What Business Influencers Are Saying

The Small Team Advantage in a Slow Economy (Justin Welsh, LinkedIn)

Justin Welsh shared why small, well-documented teams often outperform larger ones during slowdowns. With automation, clear ownership, and fewer handoffs, several businesses said they actually became more productive after downsizing in 2025.

Community Takeaway: Strong systems matter more than headcount. Lean teams are proving to be more flexible and resilient.

What I’d Do If I Had to Restart in 2026 (Smart Passive Income Podcast)

Pat Flynn walked through how he’d rebuild a business today—starting with owned audiences, diversified revenue streams, and less reliance on paid ads and algorithms. Email lists, communities, and subscriptions were recurring themes in listener discussions.

Community Takeaway: Owning your audience is still one of the most powerful long-term resources for small business owners.

How Creatives Are Surviving Higher Client Expectations (Being Freelance Podcast)

Freelancers talked about faster turnaround times, bigger deliverables, and rising pressure without higher pay. Many shared how tightening contracts and narrowing scope helped them protect both income and energy.

Community Takeaway: Clear contracts and scope control are essential for healthy, sustainable client relationships.

Homebase Introduces New AI-Powered Tools for Hourly Teams

Homebase rolled out new AI-powered scheduling, hiring, and shift management tools to help businesses with hourly workers cut back on admin work. These tools help with faster hiring, easier shift coverage, and smarter scheduling - while keeping owners in control.

Community Takeaway: For teams with hourly staff, Homebase’s newest tools can be a big time-saver and a smart way to manage labor costs in leaner times.

The Pulse of the Market: What’s Making Small Business News Headlines

Small U.S. Retailers Face Holiday Supply Chaos Due to Trump Tariffs (Reuters)

Import-reliant retailers shared that late-November shipping disruptions and tariff-related cost increases hit right as holiday ordering peaked. Some delayed shipments, while others cut product lines to avoid shrinking margins.

Takeaway: Tariff volatility is back on the radar. Supplier diversification and built-in pricing buffers are becoming must-haves for 2026.

Manufacturers Shrink for Ninth Month in a Row, ISM Finds (MarketWatch)

Manufacturing activity contracted again in November, with weaker new orders, slower hiring, and rising supplier costs. Many small businesses downstream are already feeling the effects through longer lead times and unpredictable pricing.

Takeaway: Supply-chain pressure is likely sticking around into 2026. Conservative inventory planning and flexible sourcing will remain important.

Holiday Work Patterns Heat Up for Small Businesses (Homebase Report)

According to a Homebase analysis of holiday season work data, hourly employees across the U.S. are logging heavy schedules, with the average worker putting in nearly 200 total hours and significant overtime between mid-November and late December, underscoring how staffing demands ramp up during the busiest time of year. States like New Jersey, New York, and Maryland stand out for especially intense holiday workloads.

Takeaway: Labor pressures, from scheduling to overtime, add another layer of strain on small businesses during peak holiday selling, making workforce planning and flexible scheduling tools more essential than ever.

Looking Ahead

As December unfolds and the year comes to a close, many small business owners are shifting from reacting to planning. Conversations are turning toward what worked this year, what caused the most stress, and what simply cost too much for the value it delivered. There is a growing desire to head into 2026 with fewer tools, clearer systems, and stronger boundaries around time and energy.

Owners are also using this moment to think more intentionally about sustainability, not just financially, but personally as well. Expect to see more focus on steady growth, smarter automation, realistic staffing plans, and protecting well-being alongside profit. The businesses best positioned for 2026 will be the ones that finish 2025 with clarity about what they truly need and the confidence to let go of the rest.