I really have a knack for the unconventional, like quitting my job on one of the worst days for the U.S. stock market ahead of today’s anticipated jobless numbers.

The United States economy shed 20,000 jobs in January, the government said Friday, deepening concern that relief from the deepest economic downturn in a generation would be slow to come. But even as the economy struggled to start creating jobs again, the unemployment rate fell to 9.7 percent from 10 percent in December.

As the broader economy gains steam and crucial sectors like manufacturing spring back to life, analysts say the recovery appears to be intact. But the nation’s stubbornly high unemployment rate remains a persistent thorn in the side of optimists, and economists expect the situation to worsen before it gets better.

The real story behind this slow recovery is the entrepreneurial spirit of America’s small businesses. More than half those employed today own or work for small businesses.

Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills was on NPR this morning announcing what more the federal government is doing to help America’s small businesses rebuild our economy. A companion story on NPR also outlined some details behind today’s announcement.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity because the president hadn’t yet announced the proposal, a White House official said the plan would temporarily increase the cap on Small Business Administration Express loans from the current maximum of $350,000 to $1 million.

Obama’s plan would also expand the SBA’s program to support refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real-estate loans.

To be eligible, business owners must have first mortgages and be current on all loan payments for the previous year. The White House said the proposal would help refinance up to $18.7 billion each year in commercial real estate that might otherwise be foreclosed and liquidated.

New federal incentives for small businesses are just one opportunity for America’s entrepreneur. Over the past two years, I’ve witnessed a lot of very talented people lose their jobs through no fault of their own. That’s created an extraordinary pool of talent available to start-ups and small businesses.

Here in Tennessee, I’ve come across a few small family-owned businesses, some who have weathered decades of ups and downs. One common element of that subset is an inspiring passion and a determined drive to live the American dream.

If you know of a small business in Tennessee with a unique product and story, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a link in comments.