In October 2008, when the credit crunch hit, small businesses were really crushed by the lack of capital.

Small businesses are really the engine in the economy.

Small businesses, you can give them capital, but what they often need as much is mentoring, advice and help with their business plan.

Small businesses have told us that having cash in their pocket is one of the primary things that they need.

Small businesses want things streamlined, and one of the great successes we're having is less paperwork, faster turnaround times.

Among our responsibilities is to make sure that 23 percent of all government contracts go to small businesses. That's about $150 billion annually, from all the government agencies.