“Dare I suggest that there should be a methodology and system to give every business a grade on its overall accounting and bookkeeping practices?”

“I have a diversification problem: 95 percent of my revenue is derived from one government program. This is an issue that I have been aware of, and I am actively working on.”

“Do you understand what has changed in your business that has created your situation? Is the change temporary, or is it permanent? “

“The business cases for expansion are tougher to make with higher rates - for capital, labor, or anything else - and they should be. But this doesn’t mean every scenario is dead.”

“ I really do feel as if I’m in withdrawal. It is extremely difficult not to open my email box throughout the day and take a sneak peek. When my phone pings, I need to know: Is it important?”

“The problem weighing on me back then is precisely the same problem weighing on me now. In the three months that have passed, I have not moved the needle. “

Fortunately, the Covid crisis has passed. Sadly though, it doesn’t seem as if the SBA has learned the right lessons from this experience.