Small business owners reported an unstable global economy as their biggest concern for 2016, according to Manta's semi-annual Small Business Wellness Index. The study asked small business owners to evaluate their businesses and share what issues they expect to cause concern this year.

The top concerns hindering small business owners at the end of 2015 were longstanding business issues such as lack of capital (29 percent), competition (17 percent), lack of good employees (16 percent) and taxes (13 percent). For small business owners, public debate around minimum wage increases and healthcare reform has seemingly been overblown. In fact, small business owners listed cost of healthcare (6 percent), lack of government support (6 percent) and the rise in the minimum wage (2 percent) at the bottom of their list of concerns in 2015.

Though they were not fearful about breaking news and regulatory changes in 2015, small business owners intend to keep an eye on these trends in 2016. When asked which current issues could hinder their growth this year, an unstable global economy topped the list at 29 percent followed by quality of partnerships and vendors (25 percent), healthcare costs (22 percent), presidential election results (12 percent) and a rising minimum wage (11 percent).

Entrepreneurs surveyed felt slightly less successful in the second half of 2015 compared to the first half (69 percent vs. 71 percent). Yet 83 percent of respondents are still optimistic about business prospects in 2016, up slightly from 82 percent in 2015. On the hiring front, 39 percent of respondents plan to hire in the first half of 2016, up from the 35 percent that hired in the latter half of 2015.

Business performance in 2015 may have been hindered by poor hires and a lack of long-term vision. Sixteen percent of entrepreneurs found that the lack of good employees hindered business performance in 2015. Only half of entrepreneurs surveyed had any type of marketing plan, business plan or growth plans for their businesses.

John Swanciger, CEO of Manta, said that small business owners will increasingly look to their local governments and communities for guidance this year.

“This year will bring major changes at the federal and state levels,” Swanciger said. “Small business owners especially must be cognizant of what's going on within their industries and adjust accordingly. Entrepreneurs are dealing with the moving parts that come with running a business. They're trying to figure out where they should focus in 2016, and they're looking to their communities for help.”

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