Temple University economist William C. Dunkelberg has been shepherding the Index of Small Business Optimism for the National Federation of Independent Business since the 1970s. This week, the group said the index rose 1.3 points in January over December, but pessimism is what the measurement reflects. According to Dunkelberg, "Small-business owners entered 2010 the same way they left 2009. The biggest problem continues to be a shortage of customers."