Florida small business owners are unlike the majority of the country who are implementing a “wait and see” approach in terms of growth. Fifty-four percent of Florida business owners have a positive outlook on the economy and 82 percent (compared to 69 percent nationally) are planning to grow their business over the next six months.
The findings are part of American Express’ OPEN’s 2012 Fall Small Business Monitor, based on a nationally representative sample of small business owners/managers of companies with fewer than 100 employees.
Among other findings in Florida, 65 percent of respondents say the economy stresses them out, up from 55 percent in the spring.
Sixty-one percent pay themselves a salary (up dramatically from 39 percent last fall). On average they earn $62,100 per year (down from $68,100 last year). And 56 percent offer their employees healthcare benefits, up from 52 percent in the spring. Over the last six months, 30 percent say the morale of their employees has worsened.
Read more and find the full report here.
INA PAIVA CORDLE