When it comes to small business, the nation is not created equal. But which region in the United States fared the best in the recession, which does the most business overseas, and which is seeing the most growth?

Everyone loves to talk about small business being the backbone of the country. But what about the smallest of the small? Who are the entrepreneurs leading businesses with between one and four employees, and how do these companies stack up?

The very look of American small- and mid-sized businesses is changing with the growth of black, Asian and Hispanic entrepreneurs in the United States—increases that are far above the level of growth for all companies.

When it comes to business, women-owned companies are coming on strong, especially in the universe of the nation's smallest firms. But when it comes to overall net worth, women owners find themselves far behind their male counterparts.

Many thriving companies don't report earnings and don't answer to a board of directors. A look at the largest private players around the country. (Sponsored by Deloitte)