America's Money: In their own words

Restaurant owner, 38, Johnson, Iowa

I took a calculated risk seven years ago to venture into the world of owning my own business. With some help from my father-in-law, I purchased a pizza restaurant.

I am at the same salary as I was when I started, which is only $5,000 more than what I made with my previous employer. We have shown a profit in the last two years but all was reinvested into a very old building and new equipment that is incredibly expensive.

Small business owners are being pinched so much that one of two scenarios is happening. In my geographical region, the Midwest, now more than ever, we are either closing our doors because we can't keep up with the inflation rate, or thinking about selling our business and giving up on our dream before we have to go through bankruptcy.

I used to think that my wife and I would not have a problem putting our kids through college and keeping a decent roof over their heads. But now I wonder if our restaurant, OUR LIFELINE, is going to survive this recession or stagnation --whatever you want to call it.

NEXT: Laura Martin-Wilson: No jobs anywhere