ROAD SHOW MEANS BUSINESS.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

Seeking to stoke the fires of small businesses, Back on Track America rolled into Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Part economic development forum, part rock 'n' roll tour, the campaign travels nationwide with business and government leaders to help small firms navigate the rough economy.

``I was very concerned about what would happen if we stopped doing business,'' said organizer Jane Applegate, chief executive officer of Small Business Television. ``I was afraid the entrepreneurial spirit had been snuffed out.''

Local economic experts agree, pointing to the high number of firms seeking government aid to stay afloat.

``It's getting tough,'' said Roberto Barragan, president of the Valley Economic Development Center. ``We're seeing more companies and individuals come to us who are starting to have big problems. And we haven't seen the worst of it yet.''

Attended by a medium-size crowd of regional business people, the event combined a town hall-style forum with productivity workshops. Though speakers acknowledged the miserable conditions confronting many companies, they encouraged them to maximize efficiency to stay alive.

``In economic times like this, it's driving our need to be efficient,'' said Patty DeDomenic, chief executive of Los Angeles-based PDQ Personnel Services. ``We've got to find 100 ways to make $1 work.''

And if firms are willing to go out on a limb, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Rusty Hammer figures they'll end up all right.

``It's a time to take risks,'' he said. ``Fortunately, the Los Angeles economy is very diverse and it will weather the storm much better. So if you as entrepreneurs can recognize that this is a cycle, and how to move ahead, then we'll all come out OK.''