A lot of small business owners wish they could tell the president exactly what it’s like to run a company these days. This week, Valerie McCaw got a chance to do just that.

McCaw, the president of VSM Engineering, was one of four Kansas Citians picked to eat a barbecue dinner with President Obama on Tuesday night at Arthur Bryant’s. Each of the guests was selected because they had written a letter to the president, who has a nightly habit of reading 10 letters from normal Americans.

McCaw had emailed the president just last week. She wrote the message to share her frustration about her son’s student loan debt and how tough things are, even for people who are working hard. She operates a civil engineering firm that has worked on several municipal infrastructure projects. It is a certified WBE and DBE with four employees.

The dinner on Tuesday lasted about an hour. McCaw said she could tell the president had done his research because he recognized each guest on sight.

“I think the thing that surprised me the most was how everyman he was,” said McCaw. She and another guest actually got to eat a few fries off the president’s plate.

During the conversation, McCaw told the president that she had recently been approved for an SBA loan. The president high-fived her, she said, though he added, “Of course, you know, I had nothing to do with that.”

VSM Engineering has also received help through an SBA-backed Small Business Development Center and the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center. “I can just call them at any time and say I need help,” McCaw said.

McCaw attended the president’s speech on the economy Wednesday at the Uptown Theater and even got a shout-out.

“You got Valerie McCaw,” the president told the crowd. “Valerie is a single mom, engineer, owns a small business. She’s doing great things. Even though sometimes it’s a struggle making sure she keeps her business afloat, she’s persevered and is helping her son get his college education.”

(photo courtesy of June Teasley / SBA)