If you live and work in Silicon Valley, you might think that startups and other small business are all fun and games, full of perks and wacky recess days.
But economic statistics across the country paint a darker picture. While the major corporations that make up the S&P500 are projected to report earnings 13% higher than last year for the second quarter, small companies have yet to see a post-recession pop.
In fact, 78% of small business owners surveyed by the National Federation of Independent Business say that the economy will continue to be in recession a year from now, according to reports. Only half predicted that their businesses would see increased sales. Only 13% of small businesses surveyed said they would be hiring in the coming year and just 20% anticipated making any capital investment.
Small businesses are getting squeezed on commodities and through inflation and have generally been unable to take advantage of major cost-saving advancements that larger corporations have implemented.
Small companies are often the first employers to lead an economy out of recession since their
