The economy's biggest risks

• The entrepreneur: Rieva Lesonsky
• The company: Founder and CEO, GrowBiz Media

"Generally, I think the economy is getting better. Most stats we see reflect that. Housing, jobs, and consumer confidence numbers are all up. But it's also observable -- at least where I live in Southern California. Parking lots seem more crowded than a year ago. Restaurants too. (And not the 'fancy' ones, either.) Several of my friends who own wholesale and retail businesses say they're doing better now as well.

"I'm not saying we're out of the woods by any means -- the recovery is a fragile one. And, I believe, one of the biggest threats to the economy is the election. Seriously, there are too many people invested in pushing doom and gloom, and trying to ensure their side wins. There is no side when it comes to small business. Entrepreneurs need common sense solutions that defy political rhetoric.

"Most business owners would likely agree that health-care reform is necessary -- my company's insurance bill is too high -- and that there is too much regulation on small businesses. The banks aren't lending to small businesses for a variety of reasons, but one is that the regulatory environment is too strict.

"Compromise did not used to be a dirty word."

NEXT: Global risks...and housing too