ABSTRACT
Political figures and economists alike routinely point to small business as a key component of the U.S. national economy. In one recent example, data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in 2014, businesses with less than fifty employees accounted for 34 percent of new job growth (BLS 2015). Small businesses contribute in many areas beyond job growth, often described as the “backbone” of the American economy and a cornerstone of the American dream. The importance of small businesses in the local, state, regional and national economies is without question. However, all businesses are not created equal: not in size, sales or scope. This is true both in the normal business operating environment and when disaster strikes.
