By Cameron Nyack: As 2026 approaches, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the U.S. find themselves at a crossroads, wrestling with one of the most stubborn challenges of the decade: shrinking profit margins caused by rising costs everywhere you look. Input prices continue their relentless climb, labor has never been so expensive, and inflation won't loosen its grip. Main Street businesses are under mounting pressure to remain profitable—sometimes just to keep their doors open. Across reports from the American Business Coalition, Main Street America, and Investopedia's economic analysts, a single theme rings out: the cost of doing business continues to rise, and SMBs must adapt quickly to protect their future. Feeling the Triple Whammy: Materials, Rent, and Energy The current economic landscape has created a perfect storm for businesses, driven by three relentless and interconnected pain points. When the price tags on these three essentials all jump at once, profit m...