Many small business owners see 2024 as a ‘make or break’ year, survey shows

By MAE ANDERSON
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — About 40% of small business owners think 2024 will be a “make or break” year for their business, according to a survey by messaging service Slack. After several years of dealing with the pandemic, rising inflation and a tight job market, some small businesses — 32% of respondents — aren’t sure they’ll make it through 2024. Still, others are feeling optimistic about the future. Seventy-one percent of respondents said they are optimistic about the state of their business this year.  But many are still facing tough issues like a volatile economy, a polarizing election on the horizon and declining sales.