Small Business Outlook Survey - July 2011

Summary

• Vast majority of small business owners say U.S. economy is on the wrong track (84%)
  • Only 20% believe that the country's best days are ahead
  • 79% believe Washington should get out of the way of small businesses, instead of offering a helping hand (14%)
• Almost half of all respondents say that uncertainty about U.S. economy is one of the top three important challenges facing small businesses
  • Uncertainty is fueled by growing debt and deficit (46%)and over-regulation (35%)
  • Economic uncertainty is greatest obstacle to hiring more employees (55%)
     
• Nearly 80% of small business owners view current regulatory environment as unreasonable
  • 85% say that they are somewhat or very worried about the impact of regulations on their business