Small business owners aren't losing their dream, but they're paying more to achieve it
KeyBank released its 2026 Small Business Survey, finding one-third of small business owners are absorbing rising costs by cutting their own income rather than raising prices. Inflation remains the top threat, cited by 53% of owners, though financial resilience is improving: 54% of owners can now fund a month of operating expenses from cash reserves, up from 33% in 2024.
Key figures
- Survival mode
- 17%
- Survey respondents
- 1500
- Inflation top threat
- 53%
- Owners cut own income
- 33%
- One month cash coverage
- 54%
AI analysis
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