Lisa Sharp is part of what many call the backbone of the American economy: a small business owner.
She bought a salon near Old Towne Bellevue two years ago after renting a chair for years from other owners.
Fast forward, she recently expanded her online marketing efforts, remodeled her shop and says she's ready to hire more hairstylists and a nail technician.
Not once does she mention anything about the stock market as she breaks down her business plan, and some local experts believe that's a good thing.
"The stock market lately has been driven by tech and media companies," said Dale Eesley, director of the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
The backbone of the metro's economy relies on agriculture, insurance and transportation, he said.
"In Omaha, we don't tend to ride the highs as the same level as we do nationally," Eesley said. "But, we also don't ride the lows at the same level."
The professor said Nebraska's historic unemployment rate also drives up the entrepreneurs' rate.
As Sharp looks to grow her staff, she says she doesn't think about when the economy will bottom out.
"Business has been pretty much steady on the up and up," she said.
