Family-owned businesses, some operating for over a century, are voicing concerns that the traditional “American Dream” of upward mobility is increasingly unattainable. These long-standing enterprises are facing unprecedented challenges due to current economic conditions. Soaring inflation and dramatically increased costs are significantly reshaping the business landscape, making progress far more difficult than in the past. Business owners report that maintaining profitability and even survival requires significantly more effort. The changing economic rules are impacting their ability to thrive and pass the business on to future generations. This raises questions about the future of family businesses and the accessibility of economic success in the modern era. They suggest the conditions for building prosperity have fundamentally shifted.