The effects of bancarrota were devastating.  Having to do this was the last thing we expected.  Last year at this time we were doing quite well.  Business receipts were way up and we had managed to pay down quite a bit of personal and business debt.  Things were looking the best they have looked in about 10 years.  Then I got too cocky and agreed to go into production for a large German corporation.  This opportunity came to me through my contact in Italy, whom we have worked with for many years.  I made the mistake of not vetting this company myself.  I took my friend's word for it, and it proved to be a disaster.  It didn't start that way though.  Everything was going well in the beginning.  I flew to Frankfurt to meet with the German contacts.  They were fairly straightforward in what they needed, and they produced financial statements and it all seemed quite above board.  When I came back I went to the bank with the order and told them I needed to ramp up production.  The bank looked at the orders and thought that I had a sure thing too.  They agreed that they would take a look at the German company too.