Someone remind me why we are better off today? SMALL BUSINESS PROBLEMS - Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages continue to limit the ability of many small businesses to meet the demand for their products and services. 33% of U.S. small-business owners said inflation was their single-most important problem in October. 31% of owners reported supply chain disruptions have had a significant impact on their business. 46% of small business owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, and 90% of those hiring or trying to hire reported few or no qualified applicants (source: National Federation of Independent Business survey).