This week is National #SmallBusinessWeek, a time when entrepreneurs take time to both celebrate and assess their businesses.

Small business owners are considered the driving force behind the U.S. economy, and for the first time since the recession, their optimism is at an all-time high, according to the Capital One Small Business Confidence Score. The Small Business Confidence Score leverages Spark Business Barometer quarterly survey data from as far back as 2009, and links small business viewpoints on several factors, including National and local economic conditions, current and future business sales, as well as employment figures. Despite their positive outlook for 2015, small business owners still face unique challenges. This year, in recognition of National Small Business Week, Capital One will release its latest findings on the challenges in marketing and mentorship that affect small business owners.

While marketing is critical for small businesses looking to grow their customer base, the survey found that a high percentage of small business owners do not have enough time or money to use it effectively. More than 75 percent of them admit to facing marketing challenges – yet only eight percent of them have a mentor who can lend advice on how to overcome them.

During a recent interview, national recognized business management columnist Gene Marks and Head of Small Business Banking at Capital One Keri Gohman joined me to share some of the best tools and strategies to get your small business on the path to success, and to keep it successful for years to come.

.

Take a look at the interview below.

.

.

To learn more, visit:  BusinessAdvising.org.

#smallbusinessweek

Meet the Experts: 

 

About Gene Marks:

Gene Marks is a columnist, author, and small business owner. He writes on business, politics and public policy every day for the Washington Post and weekly for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur and the Huffington Post.  He has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small- and medium- sized companies. Gene owns and operates the Marks Group PC, a highly successful ten-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses.

#smallbusinessweek small business week

 

About Keri Gohman:

Keri Gohman is a veteran executive with an extensive track record of increasing shareholder value and customer loyalty through new business models, sales and channel strategies across multiple industries.  She currently serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Capital One’s Small Business banking segment, managing the strategy, P&L, offerings, credit and customer experience for small business across retail and direct banking.

#smallbusinessweek