Ladies small enterprise homeowners extra anxious about Trump tariffs, economic system 

Financial uncertainty impacts everybody, however new knowledge reveals ladies small enterprise homeowners are feeling the pressure extra acutely. This rising unease is not only a response to headlines; it displays actual issues about inflation, market volatility, and long-term enterprise viability. And it is shaping how ladies view the economic system and their monetary future at a time when ladies are beginning companies at file charges and play an more and more crucial position in shaping native economies.

In our newest CNBC|SurveyMonkey Q2 2025 Small Enterprise Survey, ladies small enterprise homeowners are extra seemingly than their male counterparts to precise unease about as we speak’s economic system, from the danger of inflation and rising prices to issues a couple of looming recession. Whereas small enterprise possession is commonly related to optimism and self-reliance, these findings recommend that for a lot of ladies, as we speak’s financial panorama feels unsure, if not unsustainable. 

Whereas many male small enterprise homeowners report confidence sooner or later, their feminine counterparts really feel otherwise. When requested concerning the state of the economic system, just one in 5 (21%) ladies small enterprise homeowners say that the economic system is “glorious” or “good”, in comparison with 34% of males. Consistent with that very same sentiment, they’re extra prone to imagine that the U.S. is heading towards a recession (76% vs. 67%) and usually tend to cite inflation as a danger to their enterprise (27% vs. 22% for males).

This hole in sentiment is not only a distinction in temper, it displays a distinction in expertise. Simply over two-thirds (69%) of girls small enterprise homeowners admit they really feel pressured about their enterprise’s funds as we speak, in comparison with solely a bit over half (55%) of males. 

Our knowledge illustrates that the gender hole in sentiment additionally extends to how ladies small enterprise homeowners view the present administration. When requested in the event that they approve of Trump’s presidency thus far, solely 39% of girls small enterprise homeowners specific approval, in comparison with 54% of males. In terms of tariffs, the divide is analogous. Totally 63% of girls small enterprise homeowners oppose the president’s tariffs, in contrast with 48% of males.

This extra adverse view seemingly displays each the actual pressures ladies enterprise homeowners face and the broader realities of how completely different teams expertise financial coverage. Our knowledge additionally affirms that ladies small enterprise homeowners usually tend to establish as Democrats, including complexity to how political and financial sentiment work together.

The unease expressed by ladies small enterprise homeowners does not signify pessimism; reasonably, it highlights a nuanced perspective formed by lived experiences and acute consciousness of financial dynamics. Ladies personal greater than 12 million small companies within the US, contributing considerably to the nation’s economic system. They’re additionally beginning companies at file charges, fueling development in native economies and shaping the way forward for work. 

Their views, particularly in periods of financial uncertainty, supply invaluable insights into the challenges confronted by a considerable section of the enterprise group.

—By Eric Johnson, CEO, SurveyMonkey