Women's business owners express more concern about inflation, economy and potential stagnation of their male counterparts, according to the last CNBC survey | Surveymonkey for small companies for the second quarter of 2025. Approval of President Trump and his definition policy is much lower among women who have business among small business owners. The high financial pressure comes during a period of time when women have started a record number of new companies by women who have an estimated 12 million American companies.
Economic uncertainty affects everyone, but the new data shows that small business owners feel more pressure. This increased discomfort is not just a reaction to the addresses. It reflects real concerns about inflation, market fluctuations, and long -term action. It constitutes how women look at the economy and their financial future at a time when women begin with record rates and play an increasingly important role in forming local economies.
In the latest commercial survey in CNBC | SurveyMonkey Q2 2025, small business owners are more likely than their male counterparts to express discomfort about today's economy, than the risk of inflation and increase costs to concerns about the recession that is waving on the horizon. While ownership of small business is often associated with optimism and self -reliance, these results indicate that for many women, the economic scene today feels that it is not certain, if not sustainable.
While many small male business owners report confidence in the future, their female counterparts feel differently. When asked about the state of the economy, only one in five (21 %) of small business owners say that the economy is “excellent” or “good”, compared to 34 % of men. In line with the same feelings, they are likely to believe that the United States is heading towards stagnation (76 % compared to 67 %) and is likely to indicate inflation as a risk to their business (27 % compared to 22 % for men).
This gap in feelings is not just a difference in mood, it reflects a difference in experience. More than two -thirds (69 %) of small business owners admit that they feel tension towards their business today, compared to more than half of men (only 55 %) of men.
Our data shows that the gender gap in feelings also extends to how small business owners see the current administration. When they were asked if they agreed to Trump's presidency so far, only 39 % of small business owners cross its approval, compared to 54 % of men. When it comes to tariffs, the gap is similar. 63 % of small business owners completely oppose the president's tariff, compared to 48 % of men.
This most negative opinion may reflect both the real pressures faced by business owners and the broader facts how different groups face economic policy. Our data also confirms that small business owners are likely to be known as democrats, which adds a complexity of how political and economic feelings interact.
The discomfort expressed by small business owners does not indicate pessimism; Instead, it highlights an accurate perspective that is formed through live experiences and sharp awareness of economic dynamics. Women have more than 12 million small companies in the United States, which contributes greatly to the country's economy. They also start companies with record rates, providing growth in local economies and the formation of the future of work.
Their views, especially during periods of economic uncertainty, offer invaluable visions of challenges facing a large segment of the business community.
Thanks to Eric Johnson, CEO, Surveymonkey
