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ArkNet Media CEO Ryan Alovis and FullContact CEO Bart Lorang on small business owners’ perceptions of the economic outlook.
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Some great data out today means things can be looking up for small businesses the National Federation of Independent Businesses say small business optimism increased in February.
For the third straight month here -- money we talk a lot about the real pulse of our economy.
-- what's going on bringing you the truth and facts from CEOs and executives that are actually out in the trenches.
And today's no different here to tell us.
If these numbers are true signed the economy is making a -- are -- this -- -- fire rang he's the CEO -- contact and Ryan hello this founder and CEO of -- net media.
Thanks to both of you for joining us some -- let me ask you does this ring triggering feeling more optimistic.
Absolutely Melissa I'm feeling great.
It's spring time.
Business is about to bloom and I'm I'm feeling the worst is behind us why why what does that signs that you're seeing that make you feel that -- just besides your own sunny optimism.
So you know just sort of my interaction with community -- -- here out here in Colorado.
Just attended the -- to Denver startup we planning meeting the number of attendees was through the roof.
People are just have a lot of energy right now I've never seen more people involved in arms from -- Activities.
In in -- last decade.
I think people are really excited and and that energy momentum begets more energy and more momentum -- it does -- reflect how you -- mean I was I would a lot of since CEOs from very large companies last week and they seem to reflect that they felt like everything you -- it was a disaster.
The economy was only getting better slowly but the same time I mean at some point you have to get on with your life.
So -- like sort of putting blinders on to all of that and just moving forward with their business plans how do you via.
I think -- a whole America is as resilient as it gets and we've always been.
A solution countries that of a problem country I think that.
For the most part.
We've been dealt a lot of bad hands in recent months -- recent years.
I think the positive outlook is contagious.
I think that in spite of all that yeah I mean.
People have to do what they need to do to survive as a business owner you you plow ahead I mean there.
I think you gotta be really cautious because a lot of people are on shore.
What -- health insurance policy even means and I think that's the scariest.
Part of this whole story.
Yeah but for example in your own business -- -- we were talking during the breaking you wanna contact -- -- yes.
Our our people buying more they freer with their cash -- -- trying to save money -- -- trading down our consumers being next.
People are buying people have been buying and it's it's it's not like it's a necessity -- glasses get away with -- but people are buying -- -- the -- were having bigger days today than we had yesterday.
Mobil's huge for us.
People are connected it every second of the day and I think that's just that's testament to the growth tonight another February outlook was very bright and but you still have to be -- yet to be skeptical yeah.
Start with some word artist you're investing bar -- -- your customers behaving I mean are they spending freely are they still cautious how would you characterize them.
Our customers are buying.
And there's no doubt about it I I see it every day sales have been ticking up greatly in the last three months coming -- -- 2013.
Much more so than Q4.
Of -- twelve so you know I'm bullish yeah.
Where -- -- -- NFIB survey and one thing that they found you know as they said while fortune 500 earnings.
Have been through the roof.
More businesses.
Small businesses -- advance sales quarter over quarter were down.
Rather than up so I understood why are we not seeing the same reflection in sales quarter over quarter for small verses its small businesses vs -- right you start well.
I mean I think when you have a small business you're you're capable of exploring different opportunities.
Different partnerships is -- a lot of red tape in there so I think you're gonna find.
And I I just think there's some regulation going on that when you do you have something small you're able to kind of -- it.
There's just no there's so much more that you can give back your customers.
Bark and why do you think are reporting sales that are down quarter over quarter small businesses -- a more of them reporting down -- up purses SP 500 companies that seem to be killing.
Well.
I think you.
-- -- I think -- and 500 businesses to smooth out earnings little bits you know diseases are more seasonal we just give them a holiday season.
So -- I don't -- I'd I think it's more new financial engineering -- -- -- yeah that's probably true Ryan what's your outlook for the next year record before each of bright things you're good -- keep reinvesting.
Build the infrastructure of your company.
Hire the right talents and just smiled and do would you after this but finally I am so envious of your T shirt -- collar on where we should just move lets you spoke to -- -- -- I'm out there I'm all for it got thanks coming on thank you grabbing us aren't.
