Stories about small businesses today can sometimes focus more on hardship than health. Jim Hodge’s is one of the refreshing “good” stories. As some companies struggle, Hodge has managed to build and grow American Pumping, his Camden, Ind.-based company. Even more impressive is that often, growth has been not only in spite of, but because of the economy.Part of Hodge’s success in recent years can be attributed to his ability to capitalize on economic conditions: Specifically, he has picked up skilled and talented employees laid off from manufacturing jobs, and has also employed liquid waste transportation and storage practices that
