Between 2007 and 2009, the United States experienced a financial crisis. Many businesses experienced difficulties obtaining funds for projects and working capital due to the great recession. As a result, many business owners filed for bankruptcy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that some small business owners in the construction industry used when implementing internal control processes to improve profits. The study population entailed 6 individuals in the southeast region of the United States who successfully implemented internal control processes to improve profits. The data collected were from face-to-face interviews, analysis of company documents, and observation. The data analysis process included coding the information to develop patterns and themes. The themes identified in the study included operational strategies, methods to measure the effectiveness of internal controls, barriers to implementing internal controls, and ways internal controls improved profits. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide construction business owners with effective strategies to implement internal control processes that may lead to increasing employment opportunities for individuals in local communities.