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Businesses That Are Up in a Down Economy

July 13, 2010 by Barbara Weltman with 2,811 views

The economists say the recession is over, but many business owners I talk to don’t share this belief. They continue to struggle to get customers and close sales. Their costs, such as health care premiums, continue to rise but can’t be easily offset by raising their own prices for fear that they’ll lose the precious customers that they do have. NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index for June 2010 showed a slight gain over the previous month and the best reading since September 2008, but still a long way from the level of optimism that would support a strong economy. Still, some businesses are managing to do well, even growing; some are stars glowing with success. Why? I think there are three categories for successful businesses today, and you need to find your fit. [read more]

Jobs and Pay Both Getting Worse

November 10, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall with 142 views

Each passing month, each passing quarter, the news gets no better. The economy is going nowhere.The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism remains wallowing near its lowest levels since the NFIB first began this survey decades ago. In the 1980-82 recession the Index was below 90 in only one quarter... [read more]

Survivors Remain Cautiously, Very Cautiously, Optimistic

September 18, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall with 177 views

The latest survey by American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor reports similar results to the NFIB survey I wrote about earlier this month.  Like the NFIB survey, this one also found entrepreneurs to be somewhat more optimistic, but still very cautious.  More than half (55%) of entrepreneurs have an optimistic outlook on... [read more]

Looking for that Pony on Christmas Morning

September 8, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall with 145 views

This month's NFIB survey of small business owners shows a slight improvement in their overall optimism. Granted, the index is still very near its all time low, but small business owners see some hope for their businesses over the longer term."The gain in the Index clearly signals that the worst is likely over, but so far there has been... [read more]

Entrepreneurs' Spirits are Up

May 12, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall with 120 views

My read of the entrepreneurs here in the Nashville area is that they are feeling a bit more optimistic. Those who have weathered the storm seem to feel that the worst may soon be over.The latest national survey from the NFIB seems to support my anecdotal observations, as their Index of Small Business Optimism rebounded in April.This... [read more]

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