The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council released its October 2026 Small Business Check Up Survey on October 8. It found that most owners are holding steady or growing, even as concern about prices and credit has sharpened since February.
The poll covered owners with 2 to 99 employees, so it skews larger than a typical solo practice. Still, the mood of small employers is a useful read on the clients and customers that freelancers depend on.
What The Survey Actually Found
TechnoMetrica fielded the online survey from September 11 to 19 among 516 owners, with a credibility interval of plus or minus 4.4 points. Overall, 81 percent said they are meeting or beating their 2026 financial expectations, and 61 percent reported better performance than in 2025 versus 14 percent worse.
Worry is rising, though. Concern about inflation over the next year reached 81 percent, up from 73 percent in February, and 73 percent are concerned about a slowdown or recession. Fifty-four percent said limited access to capital holds back growth, up from 43 percent in February. SBE Council president Karen Kerrigan framed the results as “resilience combined with economic realism.”
Why This Matters For Self-Employed Workers
Customer behavior is the part solo businesses feel first. Thirty-six percent of owners said customer spending fell over the past six months, and many described shoppers choosing cheaper options (34 percent) or hunting for discounts (28 percent).
That caution flows downstream to contractors. When a client owner is comparing prices and delaying purchases, a freelancer’s proposal gets more scrutiny and slower approvals.
What Self-Employed Workers Should Do Next
Build price-sensitivity into your offers. Consider a lower-cost entry package, clear payment terms, and a short scope that helps a cautious client say yes without committing to a big project.
Also look at what is working for owners who are stable or growing. Among them, 28 percent credited technologies such as AI, and 27 percent credited social media marketing, which was also named the most effective way to win new customers (28 percent). Putting effort into those two channels is a low-cost way to protect your pipeline.
What To Watch Next
Gas and energy costs jumped as a concern, and rate moves continue to matter for borrowing. The recent Fed rate hike could keep credit tight, which fits the capital squeeze owners describe.
Next, watch the holiday season, when spending patterns will show whether cautious shoppers loosen up. Also note that 58 percent of small employers said they use AI agents regularly or occasionally, a sign that more of your clients may expect AI-assisted work at lower prices.
