Monica Leo, managing director and lead puppeteer at the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater Company in West Liberty, Iowa, talks about her craft and how she’s navigating a cloudy economy for the arts.

In Burlington, Vermont, extensive construction on Main Street has left many small businesses struggling to stay afloat.

Peckham, a neighborhood in South London, attracts immigrants from all over the world. On Choumert Road, small business owners are struggling with high costs.

Steve Anyiwo started DATSiT, a line of organic body butters four years ago, and is working seven days a week to grow his business.

Kai Ryssdal visits Samantha Wallace, co-owner of a honey shop in London’s Borough Market. He’s been talking to her about business in the U.K. for more than six years.

Rachel Rozner, owner of Elden Street Tea Shop, recently purchased a wholesale tea company to attempt to avoid tariffs and charges from middlemen.

Businesses are having to figure out whether to absorb the cost of import taxes, pass them along, or a mixture of both approaches — all up and down supply chains.

New business formation surged early in the pandemic and has stayed high ever since.

“Business has been better than I ever expected,” said Joy Schmidt, owner of Moxie Salon and Spa in Yulee, FL.

Small businesses might be pulling back on investments like advertising, contemplating layoffs or closures.