Small business owners are no strangers to uncertainty—but today’s environment feels especially unpredictable. For small businesses (SMBs) and solopreneurs, concerns about inflation, rising interest rates, tighter credit, labor shortages, and a potential recession can be especially worrisome. In addition, the disruption of AI and automation along with evolving customer expectations makes small business management even more challenging. These volatile economic signals and ever-evolving digital demands can have even the most experienced entrepreneurs facing challenges that feel new and unfamiliar.
But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean instability. By embracing a flexible business model—especially when it comes to talent—small businesses can stay agile, reduce risk, and take back control. One powerful solution? Fractional, freelance talent and virtual admin assistants.
This blog will take a closer look at recent data regarding small business sentiments that highlight current feelings and what may be looming ahead while exploring the five biggest challenges small businesses face today. It will also discuss how tapping into virtual assistant services can give small business owners an edge in today’s world—and the benefits of freelance and fractional talent go far beyond addressing labor shortages.
Small business owners are less optimistic about the future
The National Federation of Independent Business recently reported that the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined by 1.6 points to 95.8 in April 2025, the second consecutive month below the 51-year average of 98. Business owners report anxiety about inflation, interest rates, and future growth—all signals of a business landscape in flux. According to NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg, fewer business owners are likely to increase business investments in the near future due to economic uncertainty.
“Uncertainty continues to be a major impediment for small business owners in operating their business in April, affecting everything from hiring plans to investment decisions. While owners are still trying to fill a high number of current job openings, their outlook on business conditions is less supportive of future business investments.,” Dunkelberg says.
Fractional Talent bring flexibility and resilience to small business management
If you’re a small business owner or solopreneur who is feeling the pressure of rising costs, labor shortages or credit woes, an agile, fractional talent model can help alleviate the strain. With the wide depth of expertise available in the freelance market, taking advantage of these versatile ‘Swiss army knives’ of talent can help business owners thrive. Here’s how:
Economic Uncertainty: Stop Guessing, Start Scaling Smart
Rising interest rates, stubborn inflation, and conflicting signals about a possible recession are making it harder than ever for small business owners to plan ahead. Do you hire more staff? Pause spending? Double down on growth?
In this climate, committing to long-term, full-time hires can feel risky—especially if your business experiences seasonal demand, fluctuating sales, or project-based needs.
The freelancer advantage: Hiring freelance or fractional talent gives you access to highly skilled professionals without the fixed costs or long-term commitments of full-time staff. This enables you to scale your team up or down as needed—matching talent investments to actual revenue and opportunity, not just forecasts.
AI and Automation Disruption: Adapt with Expert Guidance
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses operate—from customer service and marketing to internal workflows and analytics. But for small businesses, the challenge isn’t just adopting these tools—it’s figuring out how to use them strategically. Multiple challenges actually that people don’t talk about 1) what processes to use A1 in, what are the best tools, setting up and customizing the tools so they work for your business 4) integrating the tools in to a system, managing and staying on top of it all.
What should you automate? Where should you invest? How do you integrate AI without disrupting your current processes?
The freelancer advantage: Many freelancers specialize in emerging tech and AI tools. From AI-powered customer support systems to marketing automation platforms, freelancers can help you evaluate options, implement solutions, and build processes around your technology—without the cost of hiring a full-time tech strategist.
Evolving Customer Expectations: Gain a Market Advantage with Better Experiences
Today’s customers expect seamless digital experiences, fast responses, and personalized communication across every touchpoint. But small businesses often lack the internal infrastructure or manpower to deliver on those expectations consistently.
The freelancer advantage: Freelancers with deep expertise in UX, customer experience (CX), digital communications, and design can help level the playing field. You don’t need a full internal team—just the right specialists to build systems and content that delight your customers and keep them coming back.
Talent Acquisition and Retention: Flexibility Is the New Benefit
Hiring has become more competitive, especially as job seekers increasingly value flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. Many small businesses struggle to compete with the salaries, perks, and benefits offered by larger organizations. But here’s the good news: Not all skilled professionals want full-time jobs anymore. A growing number are embracing freelance work to have more control over their careers.
The freelancer advantage: By tapping into this growing pool of independent professionals, small businesses can access top-tier talent who are looking for flexible, project-based work. Thanks to platforms like ResultsResourcing, finding the right match is easier than ever.
Marketing and Digital Visibility: Stay Nimble in a Noisy World
Digital marketing is constantly evolving. Algorithms shift, ad prices rise, and platforms come and go. For small business owners, it’s hard to know where to focus—or whether your current strategy is even working.
The freelancer advantage: From social media to traditional marketing support, marketing freelancers bring consistency and execution to the table without long-term or overhead costs. They can help you take your vision and strategy from paper to the digital landscape; while keeping you current with the latest digital trends and technology.
Interested in how this might work in practice? Read how outsourced marketing freelancers can help you raise the bar on your marketing.
Freelance Talent: A Strategic Solution for Modern Small Business Management Uncertainty
If you need help finding freelancers during an economic downturn, we can help! Whether you’re a solopreneur looking to offload admin tasks or a growing company needing specialized support, freelance talent offers a strategic way to navigate today’s uncertainties. It’s not just about reducing costs—it’s about building a more agile, adaptable, and resilient business model.
At ResultsResourcing, we specialize in matching small business owners with hand-selected freelance professionals—from virtual assistants to bookkeepers to marketing pros and beyond. For more than a decade, ResultsResourcing has been helping small business owners and solopreneurs find the fractional talent they need, so they can act decisively and keep costs in check, whether the economy is rocking or rocky. We don’t just offer access to freelancers—we offer a guided process that ensures the right fit for your needs.
We work with a wide range of virtual admin assistant teams with diverse skill sets, which enables us to quickly match you with a freelancer who meets your specific needs in 24-48 hours, after a no-obligation strategy jumpstart call. With ResultsResourcing, we have no minimum hours commitment, long-term obligation, or hidden fees. Satisfaction guaranteed. small business management small business management
If you’re looking for flexible support in uncertain times, ResultsResourcing can help. Schedule a complimentary strategy call to explore how freelancers can make a difference for your business.
