National Small Business Week: Must-read stories of 2025

This year, National Small Business Week (May 4-10) comes as uncertainty and volatility reign. Inflation is once again on the rise. And CEOs and business leaders must concentrate on managing rising prices, restructuring supply chains and investing in the future.

But uncertainty does not have to derail you.

Toward that end, we will be sharing research and insights from experts in our community so you can make confident decisions that drive your business forward. We’ll also spotlight some inspirational Vistage members who’ve come out ahead after challenging times.

We also invite you to consider what it means to have a peer group that can serve as a sounding board at this time. Our members have a history of outperforming the competition, especially in uncertain times.

It is critical to navigate uncharted waters by engaging others and seeking different viewpoints. If you feel like you have to be the smartest person in the room at all times, you will miss the insights necessary to adjust when times are volatile and unique. This means opening up and getting advice from others like we do in our Vistage meetings.

— Vistage member Carol Eversen, Area Managing Partner and CMO, Chief Outsiders, Long Valley, New Jersey

Member Stories to Inspire

How 2 Award-Winning Small Business CEOs Made a Big Impact
Learn how Vistage CEO members Christine Hopkins and Jake Oakland navigated challenges and focused on culture to expand their businesses, ultimately earning the title of 2025 Small Business Persons of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Game Changer
Meet Brian Raffel, Studio Head of Raven Software, the company that powers the Call of Duty franchise. His company, initially acquired by Activision, was part of Microsoft’s historic $69 billion acquisition in 2023. Discover how Brian transformed Raven, a small business he started in his garage, into a legacy of success.

Soaring to New Heights
Learn how Christa Schott grew her $2M business to $35M with 200% projected growth in 2025. By joining Vistage, she fostered a culture of learning and leadership, achieving a 2% employee turnover rate.

Research & Insights for Small Business Leaders

Volatility and Uncertainty Erode Confidence
The April WSJ/Vistage Small Business index dropped to 69.7, revealing that 57% of CEOs expect a declining economy over the next 12 months as they prepare for more volatility and uncertainty. Read more in our report.

The CEO Pulse: Tariffs Resource Center
Our latest resource center collects insights into tariffs, bringing together expert and peer perspectives to help you make decisions about these changing policies, mitigate risk and plan effectively.

Generative AI: Automating the Knowledge Worker
Learn how CEOs can leverage Generative AI based on data from Vistage Research and trusted experts. This report presents strategies to enhance productivity at all three levels: individual, work groups and the workforce.

Developing Pricing Strategies while Navigating Uncertain Times
Iris Pricing Solutions President Kirk Jackisch shares his insights into managing pricing strategies amid inflation, tariffs, stagflation and other economic concerns.

Handling Tariff Turbulence: Strategies for Stability Amid Uncertainty
Boost Profits President Casey Brown delves into the recent tariffs and shares insights on how SMB CEOs can adjust prices to stabilize profits.

10 Steps to Building Business Strategies & Strategy Development
Vistage speaker and expert Marc Emmer outlines 10 steps to building a business strategy that establishes the goals and actions needed to achieve growth and success.

Mergers and Acquisitions Trends for 2025 and Beyond
M&A momentum started strong in early 2025, but is the wave already losing steam? Marc Emmer shares fresh insights on where M&A is headed in 2025 and beyond.

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