Economic Optimism Surfaces at Intuit Town Halls
Small Business Owners, Teens and Consumers Discuss Recovery Economy
April 29, 2010 06:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time
NEW YORK--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Spending, saving and a growing sense of optimismwerecommon
topics heard from small businesses, teens and consumers at the Intuit Money Matters Town Hall this week in New
York City.
As the Great Recession has taught Americans they can’t afford to ignore their money matters, Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:
INTU), maker of QuickBooks and Quicken, gathered groups of East Coast-based small businesses, teens and
consumers to hear how they are surviving and thriving in the “recovery” economy.
Town Hall Highlights
l Small Business – New York-based small business owners are optimistic, with many willing to take risks and
expand, despite the uncertain economy. Among their concerns: the ability to offer employee benefits,
especially healthcare; the effectiveness of marketing expenses, and getting paid. The session was hosted by
Rhonda Abrams, small business expert and author of best-seller, “The Successful Business Plan: Secrets &
Strategies” and “Hire Your First Employee,” and Cameron Schmidt, vice president of Intuit's Employee
Management Solutions Division.
l Kids and Money – New York area high school students want to make the most of their money today and
learn how to save for the future. Whether it’s paying for prom, or saving for college, becoming financially
literate is a priority for today’s teens. Anya Kamenetz, author of “DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the
Coming Transformation of Higher Education” and “Generation Debt,” and Aaron Patzer, vice president and
general manager of Intuit's Personal Finance Group and the founder of Mint.com, moderated a lively
discussion focused on financial literacy. Emmons Patzer, Aaron's father, also joined the session.
l Personal Finance – Residents from in and around New York discussed how they’ve changed their financial
habits as a result of the recession.