SEATTLE – The quarterly business confidence index for the Puget Sound region is showing trouble on most economic fronts through 2009. That creates big challenges for small business owners.

Elaine Way's small business, Brown Dog Productions, is about as small as you can get. She’s the only employee. She's been cleaning homes in Seattle for five years and knows right now she can't afford to lose customers.

"Satisfied clients mean profits, so for me, it’s about keeping my clients happy and exceeding their expectations,” said Elaine.

She's making changes by offering more flexible hours and payment options. She's added move-in and move-out cleaning, post construction clean-up and holiday party help to her normal services.

"I'm not comfortable raising my rates in this climate and that’s why I have decided to extend my services,” said Elaine.

She has even added pet sitting to her business. She’s staying flexible, looking to expand her services and working extra hard to keep the customer happy.

We asked Seattle University and Albers School of Business professor Leo Simpson to give Elaine a report card. He cautions that Elaine should be planning for the long haul and not just short term survival by looking constantly for cost-cutting opportunities.

Overall though, he gives her a solid “A.”

"She's doing exactly the right thing that all businesses should be considering right now,” said Simpson.

For more on Elaine’s strategies and Dr. Simpson’s predictions for the length of the current recession, watch KING 5 News Up Front Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. on KING 5.