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    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.
    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.
    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.
    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.
    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.

    Small Businesses Growing More Confident in 2015

    Jan. 2, 2015
    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.

    A new year means new hope for small businesses, according to a recent story from The Wall Street Journal.

    A recent survey by Wall Street Journal and Vistage International, conducted in December 2014, found that about half of 830 small business owners and executives believe economic conditions will continue to improve in 2015.

    In addition, roughly 80% said they anticipate better sales in 2015, up from 77% who felt that way heading into 2014.

    In contrast to the “fits and starts” of economic growth in recent years, Mr. Sugai says, recent steady gains in the U.S. this time around “feel more solid,” especially following an upturn in his sales. “The time is right” to boost capital spending and hire new workers, Mr. Sugai adds.

    The upbeat forecasts for the coming year should be tempered by dashed expectations a year ago, when a similar rise in optimism among small firms was dampened by a harsh winter and weak sales. Apart from the weather, the issues facing small firms in the year ahead include health care, access to capital and hiring, and each one is capable of deflating a buoyant outlook.

    Visit the Wall Street Journal’s website to read the rest of the report, one that should be very comforting for many small contracting businesses to start the New Year.