The hottest Small business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

Underrated ways to change the world, vol. II

Experimental History • 54567 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Small business
  1. Pick useful, unglamorous problems and solve them — small, practical fixes (like pricing parking or improving a statistic) often help more people than chasing grand gestures.
  2. Be the person who shows up: being a present neighbor, a good audience, or an attentive organizer creates social bonds and can prevent harm in everyday life.
  3. Do steady, honest work to make systems better — honest brokers, bureaucracy-fixers, and people willing to take modest risks often multiply their impact far more than lone heroic acts.

At least five interesting things: Buy Local edition (#74)

Noahpinion • 17941 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. Reducing regulatory costs and investing in infrastructure makes it much easier for small businesses to start, compete, and find customers. This kind of "abundance" policy lowers barriers to entry and helps local economies revive.
  2. Building more market-rate or "luxury" housing lowers rents for everyone by giving high earners places to live so they don’t bid up older, affordable units. Increasing overall housing supply acts like a containment for upward pressure on rents.
  3. Tariffs have raised some prices and hurt certain industries, but the broader U.S. economy has been resilient because actual tariffs paid are much lower than headline rates due to exemptions and trade rules. Also, much of the damage from tariff shocks can appear with a year or two of delay.

America's mayors are right to support small business

Noahpinion • 14470 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Small business
  1. Small businesses are a powerful ladder to the middle class and boost economic opportunity, especially for immigrants and owner-operators who gain wealth and mobility from running firms.
  2. A dense network of independent shops and restaurants makes cities more livable and vibrant by creating third spaces, encouraging foot traffic, and supporting safer, healthier urban life.
  3. City policies that cut red tape, speed permits, reduce fees, and fund small-business support are smart investments because they strengthen local economies, broaden capital ownership, and help stabilize pro-market politics even if big chains can be more efficient.

A Wave Is Coming

Midwest Humble • 65 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
💼 Business Small business
  1. Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) is a practical way to preserve local businesses as baby‑boomer owners retire, and it can prevent job losses by keeping companies open.
  2. Targeted programs and investment that help women, POC, and Black leaders buy Main Street businesses can shift regional wealth and ownership with just a few acquisitions each year.
  3. Community and nonprofit leadership skills translate well to business ownership, and buying established companies often offers a higher chance of success than launching risky new startups.

I Opened A Grocery Store

a newsletter • 21855 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Small business
  1. Alison Roman opened a grocery store called First Bloom in upstate New York
  2. The store focuses on providing high-quality, essential ingredients for cooking
  3. Cooking and running the store is a love letter and self-care practice for Alison Roman
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Legalize Cafes Everywhere!

The Discourse Lounge • 1329 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
💼 Business Small business
  1. Zoning now forces many cafes into scarce commercial space, crowding out other retailers that need larger storefronts; letting cafes operate in residential areas would free up commercial real estate for those businesses.
  2. Small neighborhood cafes are low-impact and would provide walkable amenities and community gathering spots, cutting down on driving and helping people who work from home.
  3. Allowing home-based or residential cafes would lower startup costs and barriers for small business owners and diversify local retail without creating major nuisances.

Billionaires Can Flee Mamdani, But Small Business Can’t Hide

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 445 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Small business
  1. The mayor’s ambitious social programs will be expensive and will require new revenue from the state to be paid for.
  2. Wealthy individuals can often avoid higher personal taxes by moving away, but corporations are harder to escape taxing because state and city corporate taxes are apportioned based on where their sales occur.
  3. If Albany raises corporate income taxes to fund these plans, the increases could ripple through the economy and end up hurting small, local businesses.

Top Links 796 The sanctification of small business. How gold is displacing coca. A German drought and the first lawnmower.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. Small businesses are being viewed as really important in America right now. This change may need more discussion to understand its impact.
  2. Gold is becoming a substitute for coca in some areas. This transition could have significant effects on local economies and social structures.
  3. A drought in Germany is impacting daily life, even influencing things like lawn care. Understanding such environmental changes is crucial.

Daily Chartbook #278

Daily Chartbook • 3694 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💰 Finance Small business
  1. The median U.S. asking rent in August was just below the record high set a year earlier.
  2. Commercial real estate prices are expected to decrease this cycle, ranging from -15% for apartments to -40% for office spaces.
  3. Small businesses are facing challenges with credit conditions and labor quality.

4 lessons I learned giving 2 million to small businesses

Kenny’s Sub • 259 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. People often feel too scared to ask for what they want, but pushing through that fear can lead to success. It's important to be respectful when following up and seek solutions when faced with a 'no.'
  2. Making mistakes is a part of learning and won't ruin a business if there’s a solid financial backup. It's wise for businesses to have enough savings to cover expenses in tough times.
  3. Prioritizing getting actual customers is more important than focusing on future revenue hopes. It's better to earn money now than gamble on uncertain future profits.

‘I Don’t Think My Business Can Survive These Tariffs’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 635 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. Many small businesses in Canada are struggling due to high tariffs imposed by the U.S., especially under Trump's trade policies. This means they might face serious financial challenges unless these tariffs are lifted.
  2. Darrin Smith, who runs a successful woodworking tools company, is worried that the 25% tariffs will threaten the survival of his business. He relies heavily on sales to the U.S.
  3. The tariffs were created to address issues like illegal immigration and drug smuggling, but the actual impact on businesses could be quite damaging, raising concerns about the broader economy.

Unfrozen caveman journalist

The Charlotte Ledger • 432 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. The author started The Charlotte Ledger in 2019 to address the lack of high-quality local information in Charlotte.
  2. They chose a subscription-based business model over advertising, focusing on serving readers rather than chasing clicks.
  3. The team at The Charlotte Ledger has steadily grown, expanded their content, and prioritized quality journalism to attract and retain subscribers.

What to Watch in Robotics

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 176 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Small business
  1. Robotics is advancing rapidly, from cooking shrimp to automating tasks like folding laundry and making coffee.
  2. General Robotic Intelligence (GRI) is still missing, but platforms are being developed to enable robots to perform complex tasks in dynamic environments.
  3. Companies are working to make robotics accessible to small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to automate tasks and stay competitive.

#33 Episode - QSBS 2.0 is Here

Law of VC • 134 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
💰 Finance Small business
  1. The new QSBS rules allow taxpayers to earn up to $15 million tax-free on small business stock if held for just three years instead of five. This makes it easier for investors and founders to cash out sooner.
  2. Companies with gross assets below $75 million can now qualify, up from $50 million. This change helps more young businesses benefit from the QSBS tax advantages.
  3. Investors now have better chances to benefit from tax-free gains as early exits are encouraged. This can lead to more investment and innovation in startups.

How did I get on NBC Nightly News?

My Home Office Hacks • 10 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
💼 Business Small business
  1. Put yourself out there — small, simple actions like answering a survey can open unexpected doors.
  2. Say yes to media requests when you can; quick interviews or photos can lead to big exposure even if they don’t directly grow your business.
  3. Being willing to help and show up builds marketing karma and strengthens your personal brand, because people hire someone who reliably gets the job done.

High energy on Mondays. Low on Fridays. Then what?

Kenny’s Sub • 79 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. Finding meaningful work can bring energy and fulfillment, even if it means taking a risk like starting a business.
  2. Challenges and surprises, especially money-related, can be stressful, but learning to manage those moments is key to growth.
  3. As a solopreneur, taking full responsibility for both successes and failures allows for deeper personal growth and resilience.

Developing a Strong Strategy for Your Business

The Small Business Corner • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. Developing a strong strategy is crucial for small businesses to focus efforts, overcome challenges, and achieve goals.
  2. A good strategy involves diagnosing challenges, formulating guiding policies, and taking coherent actions.
  3. It's important to differentiate between goals and strategy, address core challenges, conduct business reviews, focus on strengths, avoid reliance on motivation, and set achievable objectives in business strategy.

March Payroll Preview

Ironsides Macroeconomics 'It's Never Different This Time' • 98 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💰 Finance Small business
  1. The strong headline payroll gains in January and February may be misleading, as demand for labor is slowing.
  2. There are concerns about the labor market catching up due to manufacturing and housing contractions, slowing services demand, and potential issues with small business employment measurement.
  3. The consistency in patterns shown by ADP and NFIB reports compared to the BLS model raises skepticism about the strength in headline payrolls for January and February.

Building Mighty Small Businesses

Investing 101 • 110 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. The American Dream means having the freedom to live as you wish, owning a home, getting an education, and starting a business. Many people still seek these goals, especially the chance to run their own business.
  2. Venture capital often pushes founders to aim for very large, unrealistic goals, which can lead to many startups failing. Most entrepreneurs should focus on building small, sustainable businesses instead.
  3. It's easier to start a small business today than ever before due to new tools and platforms. Don't feel pressured to chase after massive funding; instead, choose a path that fits your goals and lifestyle.

The 1 Person Content Engine

Tiny Empires • 122 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. You can create a lot of content quickly by using a system. Start by thinking of key client wins and common questions to build your main topics.
  2. Break down your stories into different formats for various platforms. One story can give you multiple posts on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
  3. Stay consistent with your content schedule and review it often. Adjust as needed to keep it working well for you.

Open the Books Testifies Before Senate Small Business Committee

OpenTheBooks Substack • 8 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Small business
  1. Federal spending per person has ballooned and the government often spends more without getting better results; rising federal salaries and big safety-net costs are major drivers of debt.
  2. Small-business programs and pandemic aid were often misdirected to large firms, wealthy entities, and dubious borrowers, while fraud and improper payments were widespread and harmed true small businesses.
  3. Increasing real-time transparency and using better data systems and AI can empower citizens to spot waste and fraud and hold government accountable.

You Can't See Me, But I Can Make You Rich

Trying In Public • 15 HN points • 09 May 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. The rise of Faceless Accounts on Instagram allows individuals to build an online presence without showing their face, using stock video footage to create a curated aesthetic.
  2. The popularity of 'Master Resell Rights' courses tied to the Faceless Account trend raises questions about the effectiveness and authenticity of marketing strategies in online businesses.
  3. The pressure to maintain an 'aesthetic' online presence on platforms like Instagram can overshadow the importance of genuine connection, expertise, and trust in building a sustainable business.

The upside of bootstrapping

Seeking Solutions • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. Bootstrapping a business can create a strong connection between the company and its customers.
  2. Having a bootstrapping mentality means doing more with less and being unapologetic about the product being built.
  3. Starting a company is hard, but it's easier when you're proud of the product you're creating.

Blurry seasons

Mindset Mastery • 58 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. Feeling stuck in your business may indicate misalignment in your goals and needs.
  2. During blurry seasons in your business, finding support from a coach, community, or friend is crucial.
  3. Taking action and making changes based on a clear plan can lead to positive transformations in your business.

What IS OCEN? What would it look like?

Turnaround • 494 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
💼 Business Small business
  1. OCEN is a new credit infrastructure that could revolutionize lending in a way similar to how UPI transformed payments.
  2. It is a protocol, not a switch, and its potential lies in the consumer products that can be built on top of it.
  3. OCEN aims to address India's credit distribution problems by making access to credit easier for the Next Billion Users and SMEs, potentially reducing the concentration of capital.

How to use Machine Learning for your Small Business [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 17 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Small business
  1. Machine Learning can be effective for small businesses too, not just large corporations, opening up opportunities for growth and innovation.
  2. Understanding the process of implementing AI can benefit professionals across various roles, not just those directly working in AI fields.
  3. Having the right skills and knowledge about AI implementation can significantly increase your chances of success and career advancement.

First jobs of 11 successful entrepreneurs.

Jon’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs started off doing simple jobs that taught them valuable lessons. For example, Jeff Bezos learned about customer service while working at McDonald's.
  2. Starting young helped these entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work and finding opportunities. Richard Branson sold birds at 11 years old and learned about the challenges of running a business.
  3. First jobs can shape one's future career and mindset. Elon Musk worked as a boiler room cleaner, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.

Defining Your North Star

Mindset Mastery • 19 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. Defining Your North Star is about choosing a direction, not just a destination.
  2. Supporting newsletters financially helps access subscriber-only content.
  3. Consider sharing valuable content with others in your creative community.

It ends today

My Home Office Hacks • 7 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Small business
  1. Celebrating a birthday through personal challenges can create lasting memories. Playing catch to honor a loved one can bring friends and family closer.
  2. Giving back to the community is important and can make a difference. Donations to youth programs can help many young people.
  3. New technology can make everyday tasks easier. Using apps on phones can help improve photos without a lot of hassle.

America's New Business Boom

Apricitas Economics • 52 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
💼 Business Small business
  1. Americans have been forming new businesses at record rates.
  2. The surge in business formations has led to increased entrepreneurship and self-employment.
  3. Despite a recent slowdown, the increase in corporate formation during the pandemic may lead to higher economic growth.

House AI Task Force Signals Bright Future for Open Source, Little Tech

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Small business
  1. Open source AI is important for fair innovation. It allows people to work together and helps prevent big companies from taking over the market.
  2. Regulations can be tough on small businesses. The report shows a need for rules that don't unfairly favor larger companies over smaller ones.
  3. Congress is moving away from fear-driven laws about AI. Instead, they are focusing on real problems and want to create clear national policies to guide AI innovation.

Josh Spector Chats with Ellen: All things content-led growth

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 5 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Small business
  1. Content should support your real goals. It's not just about growing your audience or followers, but about what you actually want to achieve.
  2. Your business model needs to match your content strategy. If they don't align, it could hurt your results.
  3. Choosing a pricing strategy and business model should be based on what excites you, not just what seems safe or easy.

5 reasons why you shouldn’t grow your business

Tiny Empires • 49 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. The purpose of a business is to make money consistently, not just to focus on growth.
  2. Avoid the constant stress and demands of big business by aiming for a solid income and free time with a Tiny Empire approach.
  3. To build a successful business, find a model that suits you, test your idea before investing fully, and optimize your processes for efficiency.

Reflections, Plateaus, and Fresh Starts

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
💼 Business Small business
  1. 2023 was a challenging year with highs and lows, false flats, and personal and professional struggles
  2. Building a house faced delays, conflicts, and sunk-cost fallacy effects
  3. Running a business led to financial struggles, cost-cutting measures, and adapting to changing circumstances