How to finance small businesses? President Obama responded to the question during TV6's one on one interview at the White House.
"What I want us to do are have discussions with bankers around the country to figure out what is holding them back. I think there are a lot of small businesses out there that are ready to grow, they just need to be able to get some credit that's traditionally been extended to them."
The question came from Martha Spears of Moline, who owns a small business. We spoke to her about what she thought about the President's response.
"Owning a small business is fun and it's hard a lot of hours, but we enjoy it."
Martha and Al Spears have owned A+ Plumbing for more than 25-years. The business is based in Moline, but the company would like to expand.
"Of course our main concern is keeping our business going and acquiring more business," says Spears, "The way we're able to do that is to obtain business loans and things like that."
Spears has applied for small business loans, but they're hard to come by.
"We have gone through the SBA and done all the classes, all the workshops and all the things that are offered to no avail. So, I would like to know if there another avenue that we can pursue."
When Spears saw TV6 asking for viewers questions to ask the President, she saw an opportunity.
"I wanted to know how he felt about it. I know he's been talking about helping small businesses and I wanted a direct answer."
She emailed in a question asking what the President is doing to help small businesses obtain loans. When she tuned in, she heard her question.
"I was ecstatic and I thought it was a good answer," says Spears, "My first thought was can some of the small business owners be involved in that discussion."
Spears is writing a response to the White House. She hopes it leads to her being on the front lines of trying to find ways to help small businesses start and grow.
I would like to sit down with the President and with the banks and have a discussion I want to find out what is really going on and how can we actually help small businesses."
