Small business owners have never had it easy — but in recent years, the pace and pressure of change has reached a new level.
Inflation, interest rate hikes, and supply chain volatility have been joined by new rounds of tariffs, once again testing the margins of Main Street businesses. And yet, many entrepreneurs aren’t just holding steady — they’re moving forward.
According to Bluevine’s 2025 Business Owner Success Survey, 86% of small business owners finished 2024 meeting or exceeding revenue goals, and over three-quarters felt optimistic heading into 2025.
When confidence meets uncertainty
Of course, confidence doesn’t guarantee success. Conditions can shift overnight — tariff announcements can increase material costs within weeks, or customer payments can suddenly slow. Those who succeed in volatile times often share one trait: they stay financially prepared.
“You can’t wait for the environment to favor you. You have to make your own luck — by building optionality into your business,” wrote Bluevine CEO Eyal Lifshitz.
For many small business owners, that optionality takes the form of flexible financing — tools that provide cushion and control without adding unnecessary complexity or debt. That’s where lines of credit come into play.
Funding built for the way you work
Unlike traditional term loans, which are designed around one-time needs, a line of credit can ebb and flow with the business. Funds can be drawn when needed and repaid on flexible schedules, making it an ideal buffer during slow seasons or a bridge during periods of high demand.
Aditya Narula, SVP and GM of lending at Bluevine, explains:
“A good line of credit can be a lifeline when things get lean. Securing it before you need it gives you breathing room if tariffs start stinging or payments slow down — and the flexibility to only have to use it when, or if, you need it makes it a stress-free way to bolster your financial standing.”
That kind of flexibility has given small business owners time to focus on what is most important: growing their business. CBH Interiors LLC, a Bluevine customer since 2021, said:
“Small business owners want an app that’s easy to use — that could save you a lot of time as you’re trying to grow. Opening a Bluevine account was a no brainer!”
Focused on small business, only
Bluevine is one of the few fintech platforms built exclusively for small businesses. That singular focus allows them to create capital solutions tailored to the rhythms, risks, and realities that entrepreneurs actually face — rather than adapting legacy tools built for larger companies.
And while the company’s line of credit, issued by Celtic Bank, is its flagship offering, Bluevine also provides access to additional financing options through a select network of lending partners. With one simple application, business owners can be matched with the product that best fits their needs — whether that’s a flexible line of credit or a term loan to cover larger, upfront expenses. Bluevine’s curated approach removes the need to shop around or manage multiple applications, giving customers access to trusted capital solutions with less time and hassle.
Staying ready, not reactive
Despite the challenges, many business owners are staying measured and strategic. Nearly half plan to maintain their current spending levels this year, and a growing number are focused on strengthening their financial resilience before the next disruption hits.
In a world where volatility has become routine, the businesses that thrive won’t be the ones that guess right — they’ll be the ones that stay ready.
To learn more, visit bluevine.com
