Business owners don't fear fiscal cliff

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - For months, Americans have been told going over the fiscal cliff could plunge the nation back into recession, but some Indianapolis business people on the front lines refuse to live in fear of a big fall.  

Silver in the City has survived economic ups and downs from its store on Mass Avenue for a dozen years. Owner Kristin Kohn says 2012 has been a good year.

"We've been having a great holiday season and sales are up from last year," she says. 

Jennifer Short has been a realtor for Flock Real Estate Group in Indianapolis since the early 2000s. She's survived the great recession. 

"We've had an amazing year in 2012," says Short. 

Neither realtor Short nor retailer Kohn want to see their customers absorb a tax hit. Higher taxes can affect spending habits. It's estimated a fall off the cliff would mean about $2,000 a year and $160 a month in higher taxes for the average wage earner. 

Neither is in a panic. 

Silver in the City says Kohn would weather the impact of the fiscal cliff.  

"We are a store that's always had price points starting with great gifts at $10 and going on up from there. So it doesn't really affect us as much," she says. 

Short's real estate business might suffer more than retailer Kohn's. 

"Interest rates go up. People tighten their belts and not wanting to put money down on a property. They may say hey, we'll rent for another year, or we'll just stay put and not sell right now," she says. 

Short says, the real estate business is in a much different place than when it tanked in 2007. She believes she'll be able to get through whatever the fiscal cliff brings more easily than what she's already experienced, referring to a philosophy she and her husband adhere to.   

"We lose and gain and it's just the tide we roll on. You just have to stay on that tide and hopefully things will come out good in the end," she says. 

Other business owners told 24-Hour News 8, falling off the fiscal cliff is out of their hands.  

The toughest thing for a small business owner they say is uncertainty. Owners say they can deal with whatever happens. Waiting to find out is the tough part.