MORE AND MORE SMALL BUSINESSES SAY TAXES ARE THEIR BIGGEST PROBLEM—AND THAT'S A GOOD SIGN (BusinessWeek)

This week in Small Business

The latest National Federation of Independent Business’s Small Business Optimism survey was released yesterday, showing that small businesses are feeling sunnier than at any time since the financial crisis. The survey asked small business owners what their biggest problems are now, and most companies said “taxes” are at the top. Here’s why that’s a good sign. Also this week: Over the last four decades, Richard Branson has turned music retailer Virgin Records into a global conglomerate that includes Virgin airlines, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Mobile, and dozens of enterprises under that brand. Now anyone else trying to get into the virgin business had better watch out for Branson’s trademark lawyers. A loophole touted as a way for employers to wiggle out of the Affordable Care Act’s insurance mandate has been closed. Here’s what happened. This year’s flu season looks to be worse than normal—lousy news for the economy and employers. Jawbone wants to become a part of the workday with a new service that sells discounted fitness trackers to corporate customers. The target: employers who think nudging their workers toward healthier habits is worth the investment. Finally, L.L. Bean, the Freeport, Maine-based clothing and camping company, has been making its signature leather-and-rubber Bean “Duck” Boots by hand for the past 102 years. The company sold about 100,000 pairs of the classic boots annually. Or, at least, that’s how it used to be. This winter, the boots are so popular among urbanites that the company can’t keep them in stock.