Survival Mode: The 2025 Small Business Reality Check

Feeling like your business is in survival mode 24/7? You're not alone. The numbers don't lie—41% of small businesses reported profit declines in early 2025, and we're experiencing what experts call a "consumer recession." People feel broke even when they're not, fundamentally changing how they spend money and interact with businesses like yours.

This raw, unfiltered conversation cuts through the noise to deliver actionable strategies that actually work in today's challenging economy. Forget the outdated advice and wishful thinking—this is about adaptation, not waiting for things to "return to normal." I break down four proven approaches that are moving the needle right now: strategic bundling that transforms products into experiences, education-driven content that builds trust before the sale, loyalty programs with viral potential, and transparent pricing that respects today's cautious consumer.

Beyond business tactics, I share critical personal finance strategies every entrepreneur needs to implement immediately. Learn the crucial difference between cutting expenses (good) and eliminating investments that bring ROI (potentially disastrous). Discover how to build a business emergency fund starting with just $25 weekly and why income diversification isn't optional anymore—it's essential. Plus, get my three-part action checklist to audit your offer, fix your funnel, and step up as a leader in your space. Don't miss the free downloadable Business and Finance Comeback Checklist in the show notes—your roadmap to navigating these uncertain times with confidence and clarity. Share this episode with three entrepreneur friends who need a wake-up call, not a pity party. Let's build resilient businesses together!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello world.
Before we get started, I justwant to say today's episode is
sponsored by Galore Candles.
All right, so let's get into it.
Welcome back to Not Just CandleTalk, where we break down the
real, raw, unfiltered truthabout building a business in

(00:23):
today's economy.
If you have ever felt likeyou're doing everything right
but still can't seem to getahead, this episode is for you,
because here's the truth.
In 2025, being a small businessowner feels like being in
survival mode 24-7.
And I'm not here to sugarcoatit mode 24-7.

(00:45):
And I'm not here to sugarcoatit.
I'm here to give you the realnumbers, the real trends and
real strategies that willactually move the needle.
So let's talk about whyeverything feels so expensive,
why customers are ghosting andhow you can shift your strategy.
Not tomorrow, not next year,but today.

(01:07):
So let's start with the facts.
Okay, over 41% of smallbusiness owners in the US
reported a decline in profit inQ1 of 2025.
Inflation is still sneakinghigh, even if the headlines say
it's cooling your expenses.

(01:28):
Don't lie customers.
Spending is shifting.
People are buying less,thinking twice and canceling
faster than ever.
And you ask why?
It's because we're in whatexperts are calling a consumer
recession.
People feel broke, even if theyare technically not.

(01:53):
It's all about perception, fearand caution.
Okay, so what does that meanfor your business?
If your offer doesn't screenvalue plus necessity, you're
getting skipped.
Ok, so let's shift into somesolutions.

(02:16):
Ok, I want to start by givingwhat is working in 2025.
Ok, let's get into it realquick.
Number one bundle offers andstack value.
Customers aren't just lookingfor one product, they're looking
for savings, extras and bonuses.

(02:37):
So, for example, if you'reselling candles, bundle it with
a playlist or some affirmationcards or a care kit.
Number two education-drivencontent.
People don't want to be sold.
They want to learn something.
They don't want to be sold.

(02:59):
So use a podcast like the oneI'm doing.
Your use your social media,your emails teach, you, solve
and inspire.
Ok, go to your emails if youhave to.
Number three do a loyaltyprogram with a twist.
Ok, so instead of by 10, getone free.

(03:23):
Try this.
Bring a friend, get 25% offboth orders.
It's viral, right, that's viral.
It's word of mouth and itbuilds community.
Okay, that's the old school way.
That's definitely something youcan use in a candle business

(03:45):
and we have used it ourselves.
Word of mouth.
Number four cost transparency.
Today's buyers respect honesty.
If you're raising prices,explain why.
Let people know why you'reraising prices.
Don't just hide behind aShopify update.
People want to support realpeople.

(04:08):
Okay, all right.
So business is one thing OK,we're going to go shift it a
little bit but let's talk aboutpersonal financial strategies,
because if your business isn'twhere you want it to be, your
money mindset matters more thanever.
So here are three money moves Iwant every entrepreneur

(04:33):
listening right now to make thisweek.
Number one cut expenses, notinvestments.
I repeat cut expenses, notinvestments.
So you say, what is that?
So?
Cutting your Netflix, that'sfine.
Cutting your business coach oryour ad budget?

(04:55):
That brings ROI?
That's a big mistake.
Number two build a businessemergency fund.
Even if it's just twenty fivedollars a week, start building a
cushion for your business, likeyou would for your personal
life.
Like you would for yourpersonal life, okay.

(05:17):
Number three diversify yourincome.
Don't let one product or oneplatform hold your paycheck
hostage.
Can you create a downloadable,maybe a membership offer, a
consulting?
If you can do that, then do it,okay.
So let me be 100%, let me be100 with you.

(05:41):
If you're waiting for somethingto come back to normal, if
you're waiting on things to goback to normal.
Come you know anything likethat, you're going to wait
yourself out of business.
Ok, 2025 is about adaptability,not perfection, not hustle porn,

(06:03):
not 24-7 grinding.
We're not doing that anymore.
Just smart moves, bold pivotsand staying ready.
Ok, that's that's.
We have to adapt.
Right, it's time, it's beentime.
Actually, it's now.
Okay, it's here.
So here's, here's yourthree-part checklist this week.

(06:25):
If you will, let's get into it.
Number one audit your offer.
Okay, is it irresistible fortoday's economy?
Number two fix your funnel.
Can people find you?
Can they trust you and buyquickly?
Number three show up as aleader.

(06:45):
Stop hiding behind posts.
Start owning your voice.
Give yourself a voice, okay,yourself a voice, okay.
So if this episode hits, hitshome for you, can you please
share it with three businessfriends who need a wake up call,

(07:06):
not a pity party?
Okay, give them, give themsomething with value.
Let them, you know, let themlisten to this episode or listen
to it with them.
And because these are valuablechecklists and things I've put

(07:30):
in here that I'm hoping thatwill help all of us as small
business owners, ok, and if youwant the, if you want the
checklist I have, I'm going to,of course, do a free
downloadable checklist.
It's the business and financecomeback checklist.
You can use it from now untilforever.
It applies.
It's not just for this year,but it applies for every year

(07:52):
Just when you need a reset, whenyou need to look over things.
I'm going to put thatdownloadable checklist it's
going to be at the end of theepisode in the show notes, of
course.
So I just wanted to hit on thisbecause, like I said, I'm here
to provide as much informationto all my entrepreneurs,
creators and business ownersalike.

(08:14):
I'm always here to share what Ican, provide insight and
hopefully people can spread theword that these are the things
that can help us all at the endof the day or the end of the
year, whichever comes first.

(08:34):
So I just wanted to do thisreal quick and, again, as always
, if you liked this episode,please share it, don't forget.
I'm sorry to subscribe.
You can leave me a review.
I have a little text.
You can text me on the websiteand you can follow us on all

(08:59):
podcast platforms, because thisisn't just a podcast.
This is your business supportsystem.
That's what we want to be knownas OK, and I'll see you in the
next episode, but until then,stay bold, stay smart and stay
in the game.
For sure, and for my nextepisode, I am putting together a

(09:24):
mini course downloadable.
That's going to be coming soon,so look out for that.
It's going to be a mini courseto help all entrepreneurs,
creators and small businessowners get their head in the
game and keep their.
Keep your head in the gameUntil next time.

(09:45):
Thank you so much for listening.
Bye.