As the economy shifts, small business owners across the country are rethinking what success looks like. New research from GoDaddy shows they’re not stepping back — they’re adapting, staying focused, and moving forward.

49% of small business owners expect the U.S. economy to weaken in the next six months, but 66% still anticipate revenue growth for their own businesses.

A New Kind of Optimism

Entrepreneurship has always been built on belief in progress. But in today’s environment, adaptability is just as important as ambition.

GoDaddy’s latest small business research shows that while confidence in the broader economy is cooling, small business owners remain confident in their own ability to grow.

It’s a powerful sign of resilience and focus, even as uncertainty increases.

• 66% of small business owners anticipate revenue growth for their own businesses
• 49% of those same small business owners expect the U.S. economy to weaken in the next six months

Tanika “Nika” Nelson, Nika’s Cupcake Bar, NIKASCUPCAKEBAR.COM

Building Businesses That Fit Real Life

More entrepreneurs are choosing to stay small – on purpose. Forty percent now say they plan to remain solo business owners, up four points from last year. Rather than chasing scale for its own sake, they’re prioritizing control, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

This is not about stepping back. It’s about building a business that works in real life.

Adapting with Digital Tools That Support Growth

This shift toward leaner business models is not about doing less. It’s about doing more with the right tools.

GoDaddy data shows that small businesses are using digital solutions to streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and stay agile. Access to capital remains a challenge for some, but fewer business owners now name it as their top concern — a sign of growing confidence and resourcefulness.

GoDaddy’s Role: Supporting Small Businesses at Every Step

GoDaddy’s mission is to make opportunity more inclusive for small business owners everywhere. We build tools and solutions that are simple, flexible, and designed to help entrepreneurs succeed on their own terms — whether they’re just starting or scaling up.

From websites and online stores to marketing and payments, GoDaddy supports millions of people turning ideas into action.

Small business owners are not just weathering uncertainty. They are using it to sharpen their focus. They are becoming more resourceful, more committed, and more agile in how they grow.

The future of entrepreneurship won’t be measured by headcount or office size. It will be defined by adaptability, creativity, and the will to keep going.

What is a Microbusiness?

A microbusiness typically has fewer than 10 employees. Many of the small businesses GoDaddy supports are solo-run.

Learn More

Explore the full findings from GoDaddy’s latest small business research and see how entrepreneurs are building for what comes next.

Visit Data Hub