Working for an independent media company in a down economy has its advantages.

We don't have layers of bureaucracy weighing us down. We aren't the profitable arm of a company with its lifeblood being sucked out by the elderly, non-profitable wing of the company. When we see something coming down the pike we react to it, even if we couldn't plan for it. We are nimble and make our own decisions quickly.

The turbulence in the economy has made us refocus on our strengths at OnMilwaukee.com. Yes, we are a local publication, OnMilwaukee.com is our flagship and will always be our love.

We are also a 11-year-old Web development company who knows how to design for usability and clarity. With The In Click Network we have also extended our reach beyond our backyard and can easily establish topical Web sites quickly like DannyGokeyMilwaukee.com, when Milwaukeean Danny Gokey moved ahead in the ranks of Fox's "American Idol" show. A move OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff describes as "capturing lightning in a bottle."

And if I get my way, we'll be developing a simple, advertising / project management tool for small to medium-sized businesses like ourselves.

It's an exciting time to be part of a small business. Scary sometimes, but man, it gets your creative juices flowing, it builds camaraderie among your team and it makes your business a lean, fighting machine. So when we come out of this recession, expect OnMilwaukee.com to sprint ahead.

Where will your business be?