By Vicky Sidler | Published 14 June 2025 at 14:00 GMT

Running a small business lately has felt a bit like trying to drive with your foot on the brake—load shedding, price hikes, and quiet customers all grinding progress to a halt. But there’s good news on the dashboard: the brakes might finally be coming off.

According to S&P Global’s latest PMI report, South Africa’s private sector is growing at its fastest rate in four years. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.8 in May, a jump from April’s 50.0 reading—and the first clear sign of growth since November 2024.

What’s Driving the Uptick?

The PMI measures overall business activity. Anything above 50 indicates expansion—and May’s data shows:

• A surge in private sector output

• More new domestic orders

• Increased inventories and purchasing

• Shorter delivery times and improved supply chains

In short, it’s not just a fluke. There’s real momentum building behind the scenes.

Despite ongoing export struggles (blame tariffs), South African demand is picking up, and businesses are finally recovering from a slow first quarter.

Why This Matters for Small Business Owners:

As a Duct Tape Marketing Strategist and StoryBrand Certified Guide, I help businesses make the most of moments like this—when economic signals say, “Go,” but the internal voice says, “Maybe we should wait.”

Here’s the thing: hesitation is the enemy of growth.

Yes, some businesses are still holding back on hiring. But others are ramping up projects, launching new products, and seeing more demand roll in.

So if you’ve been sitting on a marketing plan, a new offer, or a site update—you might be about to miss the wave.

What You Should Do Now:

You don’t need to launch something huge tomorrow. But if momentum is returning to the market, you want to be visible, be clear, and be ready when buyers start searching.

Here’s your next best move:

1. Revisit your marketing message:

If someone lands on your homepage, do they get what you do and why it matters? No jargon. No fluff. Just one clear message. If not, fix it now.

2. Highlight your wins:

Customers are regaining confidence. Remind them why you’re the trusted choice. Post a review, share a quick case study, or show a behind-the-scenes project.

3. Make your system work while you’re busy:

Use this window to set up an automated email sequence, schedule your next few posts, or update your lead magnet. That way, you’re still selling—even when you’re swamped.

Want to Be Ready When the Market Starts Moving?

Don’t let momentum pass you by because your messaging isn’t ready. Download my free 5-Minute Marketing Fix—a one-page printable that helps you write a sentence so clear your customer gets it instantly and wants to take the next step.

👉 Grab it here.

Because when the brakes come off, the last thing you want is to realize your engine still isn’t tuned.