Small business-Atlanta July results

[bga4444]

We are a flooring company in North Atlanta. Sales for July(11) vs.July(10) are down 39%. Consumer spending has fallen off a cliff! I mean absolutely all but stopped.... very scary!!!! I hope you all are doing better!

[lifewasgood]

Small Business - Arizona 3rd quarter starting off very very slow. Projection will not match Q2 performance. Store owners telling me folks just don't have any money to spend. Necessity purchases and that's about it. At this pace, we will be 30% less gross sales in Q3.

[The Virginian]

We are seeing the same thing in Virginia. People just don't have money for anything but essentials however I do see a lot of spending in Restaurants and Entertainment in our area.
It's a struggle to hold on! I haven't placed any inventory orders for over 2 months now.

[bga4444]

Life & Virginian, The first quarter was good. I thought we were coming out of the bottom. But in mid April it was like someone turned off the faucets. These idiots in Washington need to come up with a idea that will help all the states. It must be rocket science to those idiots!! Damn!!

[The Virginian]

Well, They are not going to collect Taxes on all the Businesses that go under so they better do something fast!

[kman]

First quarter was slow. Busy as hell now. I cater to the higher end with my business,. That customer base is strong. I wonder if there is an ETF we could buy to take advantage of just how stupid Washington really is.

[lifewasgood]

FYI,

My Arizona business was started in the beginning of 2010 with full knowledge of a sour economy. However, we managed to grow every quarter through Q2 2011. However Q3 has started out flat and is still not robust to say the least. It would help a lot if we could get the price of fuel down as we consume plenty of it with shipping and deliveries.

Being small is no bargain as politicians talk big talk about small businesses but in reality only care about the big guys contributing to reelection coffers.

My idea is simple, if you employ less than 50 people or produce less than 10 million in product, the business should be exempt from all taxation for 5 years at all levels of government. From my perspective, this would help take pressure off my Arizona Business.

[OldCoyote]

June 2011 was the worst month ever in 24 years in business!
At this point it looks like it is only going to get worse.

[The Virginian]

At this point it looks like it is only going to get worse.

I agree - We have battened down the Hatches. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Our sales continue to drop every single month. I've got one employee leaving in a couple of weeks - otherwise I would be laying someone off.

[bga4444]

Old Coyote, Where are you located?

[OldCoyote]

bga4444, Phoenix

[Small Biz Owner]

Business still growing but just barely, profits flat. We also have taken a hit from the higher gas prices. The only consolation is that we still have market share to gain from some competitors going under. Had one larger account declare bankruptcy last month, there goes those accounts receivables!
We also have had a steady increase of applicants for no open positions. I hate to see what happens in Jan 2012 after the Federal extended unemployment benefits end.

[decoy409]

Small Biz Owner, I think I found the problem!

A little hoo-doo going on.