>> reporter: i think they do it, in part, suzanne, by being what small companies can be -- very nimble, very adaptable and emphasizing that one-on-one relationship with their customers that is often hard for a big company to manage that way. sure, they have individual people, but here the owners themselves speak directly to the people who are their clients if they need to to work out any problems, any product supply, they're fast, nimble and responsive. that's allowing them to be competitive even in these tough times. they'll say right up front, this is a tough business, success is not assured. they're sleeping a little bit easier with the form that they've put together right in the heart of the furniture and textile making country. >> great story, tom. thank you. having a lot of fun with our "talk back" question today. we asked are politicians revealing too much? brian says it just goes to show you that what's on the outside has become more important than what's on the inside. carol costello has more of your responses. her morning begins with artitis pain.