Shop Talk reporter Virginia Bridges asked small-businesses owners about their message to state legislators. This is what they said.

•  “Please don’t make it so difficult to open a business,” said Beth Flynn, who plans to open Groovy Duck Bakery on Raleigh’s Edwards Mill Road in April.

• “Promote the mom and pop business more; make it easier for the real small businesses to get going,” said Norman Couture, director of business development and co-owner of General Store Supply, which supplies fixtures and other equipment to businesses. A majority of businesses are small, but “government is all about big business.”

• “Give us a break,” said Lisa Perez, co-owner of On the Books, which provides on-site and off-site bookkeeping services. “We are just starting out, and the tax implications are high on small-business owners, especially if you have payroll.”

• “My concern is the legislature in its haste to try to cut costs and services may wind up doing more damage to the citizens who will ultimately need to keep our economy going,” said Bob Bedi, senior partner at marketing firm Media Integrations.