After being around so many small business owners at America’s Small Business Summit earlier this week, I still have small business on my mind (that's not a bad thing). Yesterday, human resources firm ADP released its monthly job numbers.

Last year we set an audacious goal. On the heels of conducting Hiring Our Heroes fairs in 100 cities and towns across America, our team said “Go big or go home” in our second year. And we took our grassroots campaign to 400 communities bringing employers together with talented veterans and military spouses. Jumping from 100 to 200 fairs would have been a challenge, but jumping all the way to 400? Some called it ambitious; others said it was aspirational.

Don’t expect the energy boom in Montana and the Dakotas to end anytime soon.  According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the formations below these three states hold double the amount of oil and triple the amount of natural gas than was believed five years ago.

In the Institute for a Competitive Workforce report Help Wanted 2012: Addressing the Skills Gap, to which I was privileged to contribute, business and education leaders shared their visions for ways in which both sectors can collaborate to provide our nation with the 21st century workforce it needs.

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue jumpstarted day two of America's Small Business Summit by urging attendees to "tell our leaders what small businesses want and need to grow, compete, and succeed."

The theme of this year's Summit is "Big Impact," and Donohue expanded on that theme: