Survey: OC Small-business Owners Optimistic Despite Dismal Statewide Report Card

Despite overall rankings that put California among the least friendly states for small business, small-business owners in Orange County rated themselves healthier and more optimistic than those in any other part of the state, according to results released Tuesday from a survey conducted by Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation.

"After a two-month survey of over 6,000 small-business owners nationwide, it's clear that California is failing in the eyes of its small businesses," said Sander Daniels, co-founder of Thumbtack.com. "Orange County is doing its best to lift up the state, but it's difficult to overcome the damage done by California's other regions."

Thumbtack.com surveyed 6,022 small businesses across the United States. The survey asked questions about the friendliness of states toward small business and about small business finances, such as:

• In general, how would you rate your state's support of small business owners?
• Would you discourage or encourage someone from starting a new business in your state?
• How would you rate your company's financial situation today?

California earned F's in six of the 12 categories in the survey, including overall friendliness, tax code and regulations. Despite the difficulties business owners said they face doing business in the state, Orange County ranked first in California in terms of overall health for small businesses.