86% of small businesses report that they achieved their goals for 2023, according to a new survey by American Express. While SMBs seem to have come out of 2023 relatively unscathed, SMB owners weren’t always this optimistic. Only last year, 80% of SMB owners reported that their long-term financial confidence was negatively impacted by macroeconomic conditions. But having survived uncertainty, SMB owners are feeling more optimistic about the new year, with 50% planning on growing their business this year. Customer retention and acquisition are top priorities for these businesses at the moment. With expansion on the mind, 28% of SMB owners are also thinking about increasing hiring activities, and 46% of businesses report increasing their workforce as a top priority. However, 42% of SMBs are also considering increasing investment in 2024 as a way to expand their business, with 65% expecting to experience an increase in revenue.