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This is CBSI in the world. I'm John Bashler.

The business of America is small business. That's where the hiring is. That's where the innovation is.

That's the energy of the United States of America.

And I welcome Jean Marx, the small business columnist for the Guardian newspaper UK and US edition.

You can find Jean's works at medium, his medium site.

He also writes for our hometown newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer and other distinguished publications.

We're going to begin with the state of the economy.

We're waiting for inflation and inflation numbers that please the Federal Reserve.

The 11 hikes in the last year have left us right now undecided.

Jean, a very good evening to you. The CPI, the Consumer Price Index, did not disappoint, did not please.

It was, I believe the way that term is written these days, meh.

It's not how they do it. Meh. Meh. Okay.

So we know there's not another Federal Reserve meeting until September.

Are the small businesses you're dealing with and you're observing?

Are they seeing price resistance in their stores?

Are they seeing any change in the direction of their suppliers prices? Good evening to you.

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