Survey: Owners put business before health

Small-business owners are likely to put their work before their health, according to a survey released today by Manta, an online community for small businesses.

Almost half (44%) the owners surveyed say the 2011 business climate has taken a toll on their personal health:

·         one in three is working out less

·         22% have gained weight

·         14% are more short-tempered and argue more with family and co-workers

·         63% work more than 40 hours a week with 10% working 70-hour weeks

All that hard work paid off, most business owners said, with 72% saying 2011 was a successful year for their companies.

A slowly recovering economy was also good for new business activity, Manta reports, based on such data as fictitious business name filings, new corporation creations and other reports from local and state governments.

California leads with the most new-business activity, followed by Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. This result is expected because these are the high-population states.

Some industries are doing extremely well, Manta found. For example, e-commerce and information technology has grown 1,052% in 2011, apparel (including clothing and furniture repair) up 1,046% and electronics up 881%

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"Despite the challenging economic conditions, small-business owners are charging ahead," said Manta President and CEO Pamela Springer. "In fact, our survey found 37% of small-business owners expect their profits will increase this year."

The owners surveyed are not thrilled with the government's efforts to help small businesses in the slow economy.  Unemployment and job creation ought to be the number one issue for politicians, 38% of respondents said, the top vote getter. Second, with 17% was the budget deficit.

However, 69% said they are highly unsatisfied with the effectiveness of the federal government, and 63% said the Obama administration has hurt small businesses.

Despite that, when asked "which potential presidential candidate do you feel best supports small businesses, "respondents ranked President Obama highest with 21%, followed by Rick Perry, 14%; Ron Paul 11% and Mitt Romney, 9%. Newt Gingrich was not listed on the survey. The top scorer with 31% was none.

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