While the Great Recession seems a thing of the last, the small business owners still recovering. And while optimism is increasing, the owners say top challenges small businesses for 2015 are financial security, recruiting quality employees, providing the benefits of employees want, and creating a competitive advantage.
These trends were identified through a 2015 survey by Bank of America, which interviewed about 1,000 small businesses (defined as employing 2-99 employees) in March 2015 . 
to summarize, here are 20 compelling small business owners stats on the economic outlook, finance, recruitment, benefits, employee recognition, and politics of the government.
Small Business Perspectives - optimism, recovery and concerns
1. Small business owners " confidence in the national economy growing - 40 percent in 2014 to 48 percent in 2015.
2. Millennials (61 percent) are more positive about the direction of the national economy as the baby boomers (30 percent) and Gen X (58 percent).
3. Two of the three small business owners (63 percent) plan to grow their business in the next five years.
4. Recovery of the great recession persists. Only 21 percent of small business owners report a full recovery and 41 percent say they have recovered somewhat.
Chart source - Bank of America
5. the four main concerns of small business owners include: health care costs (70 percent), the effectiveness of US government leaders (69 percent), spending consumption (59 percent), and the strength of the US dollar (59 percent)
Related -. 3 major challenges for small businesses
How Small Business Owners Make Ends Meet
6. When asked that they would do if forced to make ends meet in a difficult financial situation , 67 percent of small business owners said they would delay or reduce their own compensation.
7. The majority of small business owners work long hours 55 percent work 50 hours per week with 10 percent working 70+ hours per week.
8. To make ends meet, most small business owners assume personal financial liability . For example, 35 percent use personal credit cards, 32 percent deferred compensation, and 29 percent were taking a personal loan. Only 11 percent said they laid off employees or compensation of employees delayed
Source Chart - . Bank of America
small businesses struggling to recruit, hire and retain qualified employees
9. Less half of small businesses (46 percent) plan to hire in 2015 , down from 52 percent in 2014.
10. Why is it difficult for small businesses recruit candidates ? small business owners indicate a lack of qualified candidates (59 percent), meeting the expectations of the wage difficulties (45 percent), competing with bigger brands (29 percent), and not offer good benefits (26 percent)
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11. According to the survey, 94 percent of small businesses have employee appreciation programs. Popular activities include team outings (46 percent), spot bonuses (44 percent), recognition (35 percent), additional leave (34 percent), and increased off cycle or promotion (25 percent).
12. Regarding the advantages and benefits small business owners are more likely to offer flexible hours (56 percent) of vacation out (48 percent), and paid leave (46 percent).
13. Only a third (37 percent) of small business owners say they offer health care benefits and only 18 percent say they offer a paid maternity leave
Related -. A Way Savvy to Afford benefits for employee health
Chart Source - Bank of America
How small businesses Meet customer and community needs
14. More than half (57 percent) of small owners companies believe strong customer relationships are the main induction motor.
15. To meet customer demand, small business owners adopt the technology (62 percent), expansion of products or services offered that cater to a younger clientele (41 percent), more environmentally friendly (32 percent), and changing locations (16 percent).
16. The large majority (84 percent) of small business owners say they use social media for business growth.
17. To determine where to place their businesses, the majority of owners (68 percent) favor the local communities where they already live and work . Other determining factors include location potential for future growth (67 percent) and customer base (66 percent).
owners of small businesses Split on the government
18. Views differ greatly to the government by generation, with only 14 percent baby boomer small business owners feel appreciated by policy makers, compared with 40 percent of Gen-X and 39 percent of Millennials.
19. political agenda Top for small business owners are needed health care (39 percent), mandated sick leave for employees (29 percent), and a minimum wage increased (26 percent).
20. Small business owners say they appreciate new policies that expand tax breaks for automatically enroll employees in retirement savings accounts (36 percent ) and incentive companies to keep jobs in the US (31 percent).
Read Bank of America full report here.
Conclusion
small businesses are an important part of our American economy. As these results suggest 20, small business owners are cautiously optimistic about the economy. They struggle to recruit and retain quality employees, focus on the customer, and are divided on how the government can help small US businesses.
As a small business owner, you agree with these feelings? What are your greatest concerns or challenges this year? Join the discussion in the comments.
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