While the Nation Slept: The Struggle of Innovative Small Business in the U.S.

This book takes a closer look at small businesses, but not all of them. It focuses on a particular set of them small, innovative firms, the 'gazelles' of the small business family. Like the fast, light, and agile member of the African antelope family, these fleet-footed and rapidly growing small firms attempt to take an idea from invention, through research and testing, to development of a marketable product, design, or service. Along this continuum, such firms create jobs, expand the economy, support families, and introduce new products.

They also encounter a daunting set of problems and obstacles in this remarkable journey. All small businesses face problems. The main street barber, hardware store or grocery owner, restaurateur, clothier, mechanic, electrician, individual working out of his or her home, and other small businesses all face problems. They metaphorically ride the rough ocean of the economy in a small rowboat, battered by waves larger than they are. In general, however, high technology entrepreneurs face even more complex and baffling obstacles as they enter uncharted waters to bring new ways of doing things to market.

This is not a value judgment in favor of some small firms and against others. All small businesses contribute to the economy.

Many of the recommendations presented in this book could apply to all small businesses, not just these 'gazelles'. But these rapidly growing firms, when they finally hit the product cycle, create jobs at a rapid rate, introduce new and unique products, designs, and methods into the economy, and transform our existence. This book focuses on those firms and their journey.

David P. Metzger was formerly a partner in the Government Contracts group of the national law firm of Arnold & Porter LLP. Before recently retiring, his practice encompassed all aspects of federal contracting law including litigation, bid protests, claims, contract administration, intellectual property, and enforcement.

Metzger is widely known for his work on the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), and has presented more than 160 times on the subject. His familiarity with SBIR goes back to his experience on Capitol Hill where he was Staff Director for the Energy, Environment, Safety and Research Subcommittee. He also served as Director of Innovation and Procurement Policy at the U.S. Small Business Administration. As part of his intellectual property practice, Metzger assisted mostly small businesses, including a large number of SBIR firms. While practicing law, he provided legal advice on data rights, patent protection, licensing, and other issues under a wide variety of federal laws and regulations. He regularly advised small businesses on matters involving SBA programs including size status, the 8(a) program, mentor-protégé joint ventures, socially disadvantaged business status, women and veteran business ownership, and other small business programs.

Metzger is proud to be the son of a small businessman, who owned and operated a small furnace and boat trailer manufacturing company with his six brothers. Metzger's forty-year career has provided him with an intimate knowledge of the struggles of small businesses.