According to the 2005 QuickBooks® Small Business Survey, conducted by an independent market research firm, 57 percent of respondents say they are optimistic about the overall business outlook for the 2005. Moreover, only 31 percent cited the economy as the top issue facing small businesses this year — down from the 36 percent that reported concern in 2004.

With this optimism comes a focus on growth. The QuickBooks Small Business Survey found that 34 percent of small business owners are focused on actively growing their businesses this year. When asked about how they would invest to achieve growth, 39 percent reported purchasing new software and equipment, 27 percent said marketing programs, and 11 percent cited adding new employees. Further demonstrating this growing optimism, 69 percent would encourage others to start small businesses at this time.

"People who think about starting a business may feel that they haven't got what it takes. I was terrified that I wouldn't succeed. It's a big step and there's no one there to tell you everything will be okay," said Danya Henniger of Imagic Digital. "My advice to those looking to start their own company in 2005 is — go for it! You just have to believe in yourself and choose a trusted solution like QuickBooks that is easy to use and get started, giving you the confidence needed to take that first leap."

The QuickBooks Financial Software Family
QuickBooks financial software gives small business owners the power to manage their businesses more effectively by providing tools for fast and easy accounting. Built on Intuit's philosophy of customer-driven invention, QuickBooks offers the ease-of-use and simplified business processes that small businesses rely on and trust. In addition, QuickBooks is available in industry-specific solutions for construction, manufacturing and wholesale, nonprofit, accounting, professional services and retail industries. More information on QuickBooks products and services is available at www.quickbooks.com.

Survey Background and Methodology
Decipher Inc. is an independent, full-service market research firm based in Fresno, Calif., and conducted the QuickBooks Small Business Survey at the start of the New Year. A sample of 755 small business owners with less than 250 employees and at least two years in business was contacted and accessed the survey via Decipher's online system.