As I watched what looked to be a couple, husband and wife, working together vigorously to please their customers, with individuals happily entering the well established restaurant, I could not help but wonder how much they sacrificed.

Opening a business in the U.S. is no small feat; maintaining and keeping a successful one in the sprawl of fierce competition while riding recession's coattails is miraculous. There they were; looking amazing I must add. I wondered how many loans had they taken out; how much of their savings had been surrendered. Did they have a backup up plan should things fail? If they had to shut down, would they be okay? Seemed to me, if things got worse, they would be the ones issuing a hand.

Why did I think that? Because, they weren't born here perhaps. It just seemed to me that they were working against insurmountable odds to keep everything going. Is it because I have seen a number of small businesses go under?

Maybe because the prices on their menu were surpassingly reasonable for food prepared so well—what you have to do in order to serve a plate just short of 25 US, and deliver a pleasing dining experience assured to be worth it.

It's people like them that I wish to emulate and continue on in their tradition. How do we make it to where more seats are filled, as much throughout the day as at night? When will things like dining out, or going to the mall, or watching a movie not have to be a closely budgeted prospect?

Are we on the rise of economic growth, is our behavior changing for the better, how long will we be able to make a living in such a fashion? They give me hope because they haven't given up. Businesses are still growing, and we are definitely still spending money. However, I do wonder how long this particular means will last.