📚 Libraries, Loans & Leafy Lies—Plus: AI Shopping, Tax Relief & Brand Hijacks

Welcome back to the AI for Small Business newsletter!

This week’s stories range from surprising power plays in your local library to the quirks and challenges of small-business loans and AI run amok in houseplant communities. We’ll also look at how lenders are tightening access, public libraries are stepping up as community tech hubs, back-to-school shoppers are leaning on AI for deals, and one entrepreneur reveals the ugly truth behind Amazon brand hijacking.

Let’s dive in.

📘 Small-Business Resources at Your Local Library

Yes, it’s sponsored (not for this newsletter, but on the site), but it is sponsored by the local library! Local libraries are more than books—they’re becoming free business incubators. From market research databases and legal templates to networking events and 3D printers, many libraries now offer tools and training most small businesses can’t justify buying.

These aren’t gimmicks: dozens of entrepreneurs report launching or scaling businesses thanks to library-hosted workshops. Definitely worth a visit—these community hubs are quietly leveling the playing field. Plus, you’ll meet a ton of folks in your neighborhood.

Have you used your local library for help with your business? Let us know so we can give them a shout-out.

🤖 Small Business AI Use Surging

A new CNBC report reveals 70% of SMBs have adopted AI tools—from customer chatbots to smart inventory tracking—driven largely by productivity gains and cost savings.

Most are small implementations, not full digital transformations, but owners say even a chatbot or AI scheduler frees up time to focus on growth and creativity. As one owner put it, “AI has become my silent partner.” I know I basically talk to ChatGPT for every question - it’s gotten so much better than even 3 months ago - and it’s been crucial to building MarketStreet.

🌱 AI is Ruining Houseplant Communities Online

The Verge highlights a bizarre trend: AI-generated plant images (like pastel succulents or floating cactus) are flooding enthusiast forums, misleading hobbyists and fueling scams.

Fake chatbots and AI-generated misinformation are further confusing beginners—and garden centers are now forced to educate customers on spotting fakes, detracting from their core mission of selling real plants. Why does everything nice get ruined?

💸 SBA Loans Just Got Harder to Get

Tightening is underway: SBA now requires a higher SBSS credit score (165, up from 155), reinstated guarantee fees, mandatory hazard insurance for smaller loans, and stricter underwriting standards.

Good news? Express or microloans may still be viable—but many small business owners will need deeper documentation and stronger credit to qualify. Have you used an SBA loan? Thoughts on these changes?

🎒 Back-to-School Shoppers Turn to AI Deals

A PwC survey finds 20% of parents plan to use AI tools like browser extensions or deal-finding apps to snag discounts on school shopping.

As AI shopping assistants go mainstream, retailers who fail to surface in these results risk being bypassed entirely—it’s no longer just about coupons, it’s about AI visibility. Have you used Perplexity or another similar AI tool to find deals?

🧾 Shopify Pushes for Tax Relief

Shopify is lobbying for an extension of the 20% pass-through income deduction (“199A”), warning that its expiration next year could hike taxes and squeeze small businesses. If Congress doesn’t act before December, the relief disappears—so consider planning around potential tax hikes if you operate an LLC, S Corp, or partnership.

🛍️ Amazon Brand Hijacking: Klein Bottle Case

Cliff Stoll recounts a bizarre Amazon hijack: a foreign seller took over his product page and diverted his reviews to sell a blackhead remover. Amazon’s systems failed to help until public backlash forced a fix.

I’m a proud owner of one of his Klein bottles, and he’s a super nice guy. It sucks that this happens (do better Amazon!) and if Cliff wasn’t famous I don’t think he’d have gotten this resolved.

📣 Your Turn

Are you tapping into free library business resources? Feeling the squeeze of stricter SBA requirements? Have AI shopping tools changed how you sell or buy? Hit reply and tell us what’s helping—or hurting—your small business right now.

Until next time,
—The MarketStreet Team