SmallBusinessNewz

Small business owners are tough people.  Other folks might have focused on (figurative) hospital time or the possibility of permanent disabilities, but a survey discovered that small business owners have by and large taken a "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger" approach to the recession.

Kelly Faircloth reported, "The American Express Open small business monitor surveyed 727 owners of firms with fewer than 100 employees and found 77 percent think managing through the last few months has made them better at managing their businesses."

And given the size of the group that was involved, plus how large the majority is, the survey's finding is hard to argue with.

Admittedly, some owners could have answered that one question in an upbeat-sounding manner while waiting to add that they're nonetheless going out of business.  But even if that's the case, it looks over 75 percent of small business owners are poised to start something new on the right foot.

Alice Bredin, a small business advisor to American Express Open, also said something mildly encouraging according to Faircloth: "I think entrepreneurs are seeing the beginning of the final days of this, and they're doing whatever they have to do to get through to the end, to find a way to stick around."