Disastrous effects: How does a business survive when it's too close to a national crisis for comfort?

Entrepreneur, Jan, 2002 by Mark Henricks

But financial assistance may not be enough. SBDC advisors suggest many firms, especially those whose markets were seriously hit, look for new markets and even business models. "You could break out of the working in before," Ross says, "and take a look at some new opportunities."

HELP IS ONE THE WAY

You're not the only one trying to get back to business as usual SBTV founder lane Apple-gate has set out to rally entrepreneurs for the struggle with her Back on Track America (BOTA) program in cities nation wide. BOTA is holding workshops and town hall meetings focused on giving you the tools your business needs to recover after the September 11 attacks. January dates include Boston, 1/8; Palo Alto, California, 1/14; Los Angeles; 1/16; and San Dieqo; 1/18.

A SHOT IN THE ARM

"Sold out" signs went up on flag stores everywhere as Americans, suffused with patriotic spirit and sadness, snapped with patriotic spirit and sadness, snapped up symbols of their country for display. Sales were also booming for such business as survival supply distributors and wedding chapels. Security companies, business aircraft dealers and insurance brokers may all get more business in both the near and intermediate terms. Still, it's hard to forecast how customers will respond over the long haul. As director of the Pace University Small Business Development Center in lower Manhattan, the closet SBDC to Ground Zero, Ira Davidson says he sees few permanent opportunities emerging from the attacks. "I don't think anything is in short supply," he says, "except large-scale commercial space in midtown."