10/28/2026
One in three small business owners are taking home less pay to keep up with rising business costs. That may help avoid a price increase for now, but it can put more pressure on the owner’s personal finances. Here’s what to know if you’re a small business owner:
Know what you’re giving up: A smaller salary can make margins look healthier on paper while reducing what you can save for retirement or emergencies at home.
Set an end date: A pay cut meant to last a few months can quietly become permanent if there’s no trigger for a pricing review.
Raise prices selectively: Adjusting prices on less price-sensitive products or services may help ease the squeeze without making broad increases across the board.
See how to protect both your business and your personal finances as costs rise: https://bit.ly/4ByaOLS
Small business owners are covering rising costs from their own paychecks instead of raising prices. Here's what the data shows and the risks involved.