Despite the challenges they face, small businesses are optimistic about the economy. Small businesses are facing the labor shortage as well as supply chain issues but, the June report of unfulfilled jobs going down by 2 percentage points gives small businesses hope. With businesses planning to create new jobs in the coming months, the slow but steady increase in hiring signals optimism to small businesses.
See "Small businesses are optimistic as the economy gradually reopens", Evan Sully, Reuters, July 13, 2021