As the economic recession swept the country during the last two years, many small businesses had to close.

Four women small business owners, who are next-door neighbors in a strip mall on Northwest Seventh Avenue and 62nd Street in Liberty City, opened their businesses just before or at the height of the economic storm.

Eugene Lomando, landlord of the properties on Northwest Seventh Avenue for more than 24 years, said business attitude was what made the women get through the recession without having to close.

``[They] are an example for every American that you can make it if you want to,'' Lomando said.

Lomando gives his tenants some leeway if they get behind on their rent. He said being flexible by lowering the rent, canceling late fees and working on different due dates is good for business.

``When you work with good tenants, tenants work with you,'' Lomando said. ``It's my responsibility as a landlord to assist the tenants in making money, because when they make money, I make money.''

Linda Laguere owns Queen's Exotic Wear, an exotic-dancer clothing store that offers custom-made pieces. After six years of making outfits for exotic dancers and being a dancer herself, she decided to open shop 18 months ago.

The business will soon come out with its own clothing line.

Laguere said she lowered prices by 5 to 10 percent, some even to half-price, because of the economy.

``If it's not for the sales, I don't make money sometimes,'' Laguere said.

To supplement her income, Laguere designs ballerina clothes and networks at clothing fairs as a vendor in Atlanta and Orlando.

Next door is Nicole Peguerro's Mazaka La Croix, a Haitian botanica that opened seven years ago to help people cure illnesses and psychological or spiritual problems through Vodou techniques.

Peguerro sells spiritual products like candles and provides tarot card readings, medicinal herb concoctions and spirit invocations for $57 a session. She said business was profitable when she first opened, but since the recession started she hasn't been able to make as much money.

``Customers still come in and want my services but don't have the money,'' Peguerro said. ``I cannot work for people and get the money later.''

To complement her business income, Peguerro sells cakes on the side. Because of the Internet, Peguerro has also expanded her business to include phone sessions with people calling from many parts of the world including Georgia and her native Haiti.

The largest of the four businesses at 7,400 square feet is Blessed Catering. Owner Denise Ross-Layton has only one employee: herself. The business opened in late 2008 and is divided into the front takeout restaurant part and the back catering banquet hall.

Ross-Layton's business strategy includes building personal relationships with her customers, giving out business cards and menus and praying. Some months, funds from her husband's janitorial services business help boost her company.

The last business in the quartet is Enterprise Tax Service, which provides tax preparations for low-income people in the community. Rev. Lishonda Essix opened the company in late 2008.

According to Ross-Layton, there's something that goes beyond planning and strategy that makes or breaks a business: ``That's the power of God; I can't give credit to anybody else.''

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