New survey data shows entrepreneurs beat their own expectation—even before the rollout of Trump tariffs—leaving them positive about the next quarter.

BY BRUCE CRUMLEY @BRUCEC_INC

Photo: Getty Images

For most of 2025, leading business executives sounded alarms about the potential negative effects that sweeping import tariffs and other controversial government policies could have on the economy, and their respective companies. Many small business owners joined in, voicing similar worries. Yet new surveys now find a surprising number of entrepreneurs not only expressing optimism about their prospects for the coming months, but basing that on first semester sales that exceeded their expectations at the start of the year.

Uncertainty created by repeatedly shifting White House import tariff policies continues to complicate businesses’ efforts to effectively adjust to them. That disruptive effect dampens the confidence of executives who rely on clarity in establishing future plans. But despite the instability of the last six months, polls indicate a growing number of employers are feeling better about both the present, and near-term futures. The strongest reflection of that came in a survey by email marketing and digital communications company C

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