Stop Doing This to Grow

Good morning. If growth feels like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle—welcome, you’re in good company. In this week’s Rivet Report, we’re cutting through the chaos with real strategies (no buzzwords, no hype) that help actual businesses grow without imploding. Whether you're selling cupcakes, carbide tools, or pet sweaters online, the roadmap ahead is worth the read.

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BUSINESS PULSE

Economy: Federal Reserve policymakers are convening today and tomorrow amid heightened global uncertainty—from Middle East tensions to fresh U.S. tariffs. Despite recent cooling in inflation, the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady at 4.25–4.50% and to delay rate cuts until later in the year. Chair Powell will unveil the updated Summary of Economic Projections alongside remarks that will shed light on how policymakers balance inflation risks against trade-driven slowdowns.
Source: Reuters

AI: According to a new report, generative AI has moved from experimental pilots into core enterprise budgets, with CIOs now routinely allocating substantial funds for internal and customer-facing use cases. Multi-model deployments are becoming the norm as businesses seek flexibility, steering clear of vendor lock-in. The era of treating AI as optional has passed—now it’s embedded in workflows, marking 2025 as the year generative AI became indispensable.
Source: a16z

Small Business: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed three points in May to 98.8—just above its 51-year average—driven by increased sales confidence and planned capital expenditures. Still, owner uncertainty remains elevated, with taxes and trade policy top concerns. Nearly a quarter of small firms reported it’s a “good time to expand,” signaling cautious optimism. As costs and uncertainty persist, many are holding off on aggressive growth, though core sentiment has improved.
Source: NFIB

GROWTH

How Small Businesses Can Grow Smarter in 2025

Practical, people-first strategies to help America’s local businesses expand in ways that last.

This is the third article in a multi-part series on Growth. Click here to read the first and here to read the second in the series.

Walk down any Main Street in the Midwest, or scroll through a well-run Shopify store, and you’ll find the beating heart of the American economy: small businesses powered by persistence, community, and a relentless drive to do better.

But growth in 2025 isn’t about flashy marketing or copying what Silicon Valley startups are doing. It’s about steady, strategic moves that align with who you are and the customers who count on you. Whether you run a family-owned machine shop, a boutique with loyal foot traffic, or a digital storefront with nationwide reach, sustainable growth comes from doing more of what already works—and trimming what doesn’t.

Jeff Bezos once said, “In the end, we are our choices. Build yourself a great story.” And that’s exactly what small business growth is: the story you write with your decisions—every email sent, product improved, customer delighted, or process simplified.

Start by doubling down on relationships. Returning customers are your most valuable audience, not just because they spend more, but because they talk. Building a reputation as a business that remembers names, celebrates milestones, or sends small thank-yous creates evangelists. And in tight-knit towns or niche online communities, that’s marketing money can’t buy.

Behind the scenes, even small automations can make a big difference. A local pet store might set up a text reminder for reordering food. A family-owned fabricator could use software to track jobs more accurately. A Shopify seller might use pre-built flows to bring back abandoned carts or upsell repeat customers. The trick isn’t using every tool—it’s picking one that removes friction from your day.

Visibility remains key. If you haven’t touched your Google Business Profile in months, now’s the time. Fresh photos, updated hours, replies to reviews—these small acts build digital trust. For those selling online, short-form video content showcasing how your product solves real problems continues to outperform traditional ads in both cost and reach.

Thinking about new revenue streams? Don’t start with a full-scale launch. Test. A coffee shop might sell cold brew kits online. A service business could offer a short, paid workshop. Even a $500 experiment can reveal whether an idea has legs—without risking your core business.

Perhaps the most overlooked growth driver of all is your team. If you have employees, involve them in the journey. Regular check-ins focused on customer insights, service issues, or creative ideas turn staff into contributors. A line cook might have your next viral menu idea. A warehouse manager might spot a packaging tweak that saves you thousands. People who feel seen are more invested—and more likely to help you grow.

Here’s what real-world, grounded growth looks like in 2025:

• Stay obsessed with your best customers
  

• Simplify one thing every week—whether it’s workflow, service, or follow-up
  

• Use automation to gain time, not replace people
  

• Run small tests before big bets
  

• Let your team in on the “why” behind your goals
  

• Show up consistently where customers search, shop, and talk

Small business growth isn’t about becoming big necessarily. It’s about becoming better, more resilient, more trusted. Keep moving forward, one smart, steady choice at a time—and you’ll write a story your customers and community are proud to be part of.

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