In the recession of the mid-1970s, Frederick Smith needed financing to get a national distribution system for air cargo off the ground. He was able to get $5.8 million through the SBA's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. Today, that company is known as FedEx.

Tommy and Maria DeLaune are a prime example of small business owners who suffered a one-two punch from Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater BP oil spill. They run Tommy's Seafood, a New Orleans seafood processor and wholesaler that employs about 20 people.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, the business suffered...