Top 3 Barriers to Small Business Growth - Your Bottom Line NFIB Series

Uncertainty over business conditions in an economy recovering at a glacial pace is the single biggest factor holding back small business growth, according to a recent NFIB survey. "Twenty-six percent of small business owners say the major barrier to growth is uncertainty about the economic and political outlook," says economist Bill Dunkelberg."That's stunning." In the latest edition of Your Bottom Line With Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB's chief economist looks at the three biggest barriers to small business growth: 1) Uncertainty over business conditions (26%) 2) Weak sales (24%) 3) Financing issues (20%) Financing issues are particularly worrisome because banks have money to lend, but business owners can't take advantage of it because of concerns over being able to repay loans. Dunkelberg says the recovery won't pick up steam until small businesses begin hiring again. "We lost 8 million jobs during the recession. Those weren't lost at the big firms - they were lost in the small business sector for the most part," Dunkelberg said. "So we really worry about the things that keep our small business sector from experiencing healthy growth." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFIB's web series Your Bottom Line With Bill Dunkelberg helps small business owners learn more about what drives the economy and how economic issues affect their businesses. William Dunkelberg, NFIB's chief economist and one of the nation's top experts on small business, entrepreneurship, consumer behavior and consumer credit policy, hosts the series. 3:45

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