Us Small Business Confidence Rises; Firms Expect More Sales

The data suggests the unemployment numbers will stay in this lower range, says Dunkelberg. U.S. small business sentiment improved in December, with firms more optimistic about future business conditions and future earnings. The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index edged up 1.4 point to 93.9 last month. Heshphoto | Image Source | Getty Images Workers examine swatches in a screen printing workshop. Small manufacturing firms led job creation in November, according to the NFIB. The increase was driven by more information a net increase in the number of firms who expect better business conditions six months from now. Companies also were more optimistic about revenues and profits. NFIB economist William Dunkelberg noted that the index remains well below pre-recession levels, and is also below the highest levels reached in 2013.

Constant Contact's Small Business Innovation Loft to Help Entrepreneurs Launch Products and Services for Small Businesses

Startups selected for the program will reside at a new SMB InnoLoft space at Constant Contacts Massachusetts headquarters and will receive resources and mentorship to build their early-stage startups. The SMB InnoLoft is now accepting submissions until March 31 to participate in the inaugural class of startups scheduled to begin in the summer. Weve created a culture where the number one goal is helping small businesses succeed, said Andy Miller, chief innovation architect at Constant Contact. While many entrepreneurs share our passion, bringing a new idea to market is not easy. So, wow, what a powerful opportunity to bring together entrepreneurial innovation and ideas with the technology and small business marketing expertise of Constant Contact. The Small Business Innovation program will serve entrepreneurs in a unique way through a combination of mentoring, insider access, and real dollars, all backed by the power of the leading small business marketing partner. Unlike other accelerator programs, the Small Business Innovation program is focused on helping entrepreneurs scale their business. With a commitment to rapid learning and collaboration, the program will provide participants with mentoring from marketing and technology experts as well as members of the Angel and venture capital communities over the course of their four-month tenure. In addition, participants receive: Dedicated office and meeting space in the SMB InnoLoft Access to a group of small businesses that have opted in to trying new offerings $10,000 to spend on marketing activities, with coaching from Constant Contact marketing experts on how best to spend those dollars Priority access to and support from Constant Contacts AppConnect integration team We couldnt be more excited to get to work with our first class of entrepreneurs, said Miller. Innovation to igniteour small business customers success is at the heart of everything we do at Constant Contact and was the driving force behind our decision to launchthe SMB InnoLoft. The space will provide our internal team of innovators and developers a place to collaborate, test ideas, and create new value for our customers.Working side-by-side, were confident that our internal team and the Small Business Innovation program participants will learn from each other and collaborate to driveinnovation that benefits small businesses everywhere. For more information and to apply for the Small Business Innovation program, please visit http://smbinnoloft.com/ and follow #SMBInnoLoft on Twitter. About Constant Contact, Inc. Constant Contact wrote the book on Engagement Marketing the new marketing success formula that helps small organizations create and grow customer relationships in todays socially connected world. More than half a million small businesses, nonprofits and associations worldwide use the companys online marketing tools to generate new customers, repeat business, and referrals through email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, local deals, digital storefronts, and online surveys. Only Constant Contact offers the proven combination of affordable tools and free KnowHow, including local seminars, personal coaching and award-winning product support. The company further supports small organizations through its extensive network of consultants/resellers, technology providers, franchises and national associations. Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. (CTCT-F) For the best deals on these products, shop at big-box and grocery stores instead. MarketWatch 'The first-time buyer, unfortunately, remains pretty well locked out of the market," one analyst says.