Study: Florida small business optimism rose in early 2012

A recent survey of Florida small business owners conducted by TD Bank found that more than two-thirds (69 percent) expect to match or exceed their revenue forecasts for the first quarter.

Compared to a TD Bank survey conducted in the final quarter of last year - at which time just 54 percent of entrepreneurs expressed an optimistic outlook - the latest figures show a significant improvement.

Additionally, 24 percent of participants in the latest study plan to hire at least one employee this quarter.

"Florida's small business owners are upbeat and resilient, and they've shown that they'll persevere in order to bolster their sales and enjoy increasing success as the economic recovery continues," said Kevin Gillen, TD Bank's regional president for Florida, in a statement.

The March Small Business Scorecard from SurePayroll saw even greater optimism. Positivity among entrepreneurs reached 70 percent for the first time since May 2011, and nearly 80 percent of respondents said the amount of business they did in the first quarter of 2012 either met or exceeded their expectations. More than two-thirds (67 percent) plan to maintain their current employment level, while 31 percent aim to hire later in the year.