"After the past few years of tough economic results, it is significant that so many small business owners expect to make gains this year"
Marc Joseph, chief operating officer for DollarDays

Small business owners are anticipating strong economic gains for 2004, according to a poll conducted by DollarDays International.

The poll of small business owners, conducted during April 2004 showed that 57 percent of those surveyed describe themselves as "generally optimistic" about the economy.

Additional results:

* 70 percent of small business owners expect to expand their business during 2004;

* 75 percent expect to make more money this year than last year;

* 22 percent plan to hire additional workers this year;

* 13 percent plan to seek a business loan in order to expand their businesses; and

* 73 percent of small retailers are increasing the number of products they carry in their stores.

"Small business owners often are the first to see the economic trends ahead," said Marc Joseph, chief operating officer for DollarDays. "After the past few years of tough economic results, it is significant that so many small business owners expect to make gains this year."

But according to Joseph, the survey suggests that small businesses are trying to obtain more productivity out of their current staff and aren't hiring new people. "With only 22 percent of small business owners planning to hire additional workers, it appears they are trying to expand with their current staff-maintain overhead, but increase profits."