In a country where small businesses form the backbone of the economy, many of these owners attach their hopes on presidential candidates who promise transformative change. For some, Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric about tax cuts, deregulation, and “bringing back American jobs” struck a chord. His promises of a business-friendly environment gave many small business owners hope that his presidency would address the systemic challenges they face—from high taxes and limited access to capital to the rising costs of goods and labor.