open channels with them is the last missing piece for me. I'm lucky these people are even on custodial lightning wallets... Maybe I should get into Uncle Jim mode just for this purpose...

do people running their own businesses and providing goods and services have time to manage a LN node?

not yet, no. do they have time to manage relationships and integrations with credit card companies? no, they don't have to - they use Square or something. well get there

As a business who operates own LN node, the biggest issue is requirement to lock-in BTC in significant amount.