Following two years of pessimistic feelings among business owners, they report being more optimistic for 2013, according to the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.

In fact, optimism improved 20 points to positive nine in January 2013, an increase from negative 11 in November 2012, the study finds. Respondents report feeling more optimistic about revenues, capital spending and jobs over the past 12 months. In the upcoming 12 months, respondents say they are more optimistic about their overall financial situations, revenues, cash flow and jobs.

Still, 71 percent of respondents do not anticipate work force changes in the next 12 months while only 17 percent of respondents plan to bring in more workers, which remains unchanged. Of the respondents that hired in the past 12 months, 35 percent say they are hiring fewer employees than they need, a jump from 29 percent in January 2012 but under 42 percent of November 2010.