Small Business Owners Still Optimistic

Times may be tough, but the gloomy economy can't dampen the hopes of America's small business owners. According to an American Express Open survey released last week and reported by the Reuters Shop Talk blog, business owners are pushing ahead with plans to grow, despite losing a large portion of sales this year to soaring energy costs—among other financial obstacles. Though small business owners are natural optimists—the survey reports that 9 out of 10 say they "see the glass as half-full"—many expressed concerns about the future of their businesses.
Despite their reservations though, more than 70 percent of the survey's respondents said they plan to grow their companies in the next six months, with half saying they are willing to take a financial risk to make that happen. Even if their businesses don't weather the economic storm, few expressed regrets about owning their own businesses. In fact, 75 percent said they would still recommend entrepreneurship to a family or friend.