Murdock , Minnesota ( CNN ) -- Jannet Walsh is not waiting for the presidential candidates to encourage more jobs . Instead , the unemployed Minnesotan is trying to create one on her own . `` I think it was February , after I do n't know how many ( job ) rejections , '' the 48-year-old told CNN Radio , the frustration still clear in her voice , `` I actually remember sitting here kind of yelling , 'This is it ! This is enough ! ' `` That moment , Walsh decided to create her own business , a one-woman photography and media company based in her family 's century-old home . With that decision , the energetic former newspaper photographer took a gamble that is central to the debates over the economy and the White House . Small businesses generated 65 % of the new jobs in America over the past 17 years , according to the Small Business Administration . And such firms , defined as having fewer than 500 workers , employ half of all workers in the private sector . Both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have spoken about the importance of small businesses and their commitment to supporting them . But Walsh already understands the bigger issue : how to make sure a nascent business survives . `` Right now , I 'm not making much money , '' Walsh sighed , her laptop perched on the antique writer 's desk that used to belong to her grandfather , `` but I think once more people know who I am and actually see me out more , I think that could change . '' Better off than four years ago ? Watch Jannet Walsh 's iReport . In addition to the normal steep hill involved with starting a business , this entrepreneur faces a hurdle with her location . Walsh moved back to the small town of Murdock , Minnesota , two years ago to help her mother , who was ill and died last fall . She has stayed in the farming community of 278 people for a number of reasons . Her aunt is ill and in a nearby nursing home , and after returning to Murdock , Walsh has had a renewed sense of family and easy-going community . `` There 's not a lot of nightlife here , '' she admitted . Then the former newspaper worker paused , her face then lighting into a smile , `` but in the evening , when it gets cooler , you 'll see people walking , and they 'll walk through town or through the old cemetery . It 's very nice . '' Walsh pointed out the homes of relatives , friends and perhaps the town 's most knowing resident , Mrs. Clark , whose house has a clear view of the church steps . Now , she hopes she can beat the odds and make a small business thrive in this quiet town . According to the SBA , a third of all small businesses shutter in the first two years , and half call it quits in the first five . This is what the men running for president say they want to change , and both men say they 'd try to help by changing the tax code . Romney would like to cut all individual income taxes by 20 % . But critics say the Republican 's plan would result in higher tax rates for the smallest earners , like Walsh , and lower tax rates for some bigger companies . Romney vs. Obama on taxes . Obama has not made a specific proposal for individual income tax cuts but insists that he is for tax reform that would lower most rates . He has signed and proposed other specific tax help for small businesses , including a deduction on $ 125,000 worth of expenses . As with Romney 's plan , critics point out that larger businesses could end up with lower tax rates than some small companies under the president 's proposal . Embed America 's behind-the-scenes video with Walsh . In Minnesota , Walsh 's business , with just five paying clients , is about as small as they get . In part , that is because her starting strategy has included a few nonpaying events so that she could get more attention for her work and name . `` Hopefully ... someone will see , wow , there 's this woman in Murdock , Minnesota , and she has a lot of skills and talent , '' she mused , `` I think we should hire her . '' How are you coping with the economy ? Share your story with CNN iReport . Walsh has invested money in equipment and advertising for her new venture . But , like many people starting a small business , she is not counting on that as her only source of income . She 's not sure the candidates understand the juggling act a startup requires . `` How we 're going to work has changed , '' Walsh said , her wide eyes getting narrow , `` It 's possible , and this is scary , I never receive another full-time job . ... We need to rethink how we earn our money to live , and it might have to be through several flows of income . '' iReport Debate : Two unemployed voters talk jobs . Walsh wo n't say which candidate she believes could improve her life more , adding that she does n't want to push away potential clients with political thoughts . But , she added , `` I do want something to change . '' See all of the Embed America coverage here . And track the Embed team 's progress on our map .
Small Business Administration defines small business as having fewer than 500 workers . Small businesses have generated 65 % of new jobs in Minnesotan for century-old . Obama , CNN Radio 's offer competing tax cut plans to help small businesses . Follow Small Business Administration Embed America 's trip on our map .