Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

6 Steps to Starting a Business Successfully During the Worst of TimesThree founders talk about starting businesses during a downturn.

ByThomas Edwards, Jr.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Luis Alvarez | Getty Images

I successfully started and grew two coaching businesses during the 2008 economic recession and 2020 pandemic, respectively. Although I wish the world's circumstances were better when I chose to start these businesses, the truth is sometimes those harsher conditions make a better business.

How do you create and grow these brands when all warning signs are telling you to wait? I asked three other people who started or grew their companies under seemingly dire circumstances and used our collective stories to give you a six-step plan for starting a business at any time.

Take advantage of forced conditions

This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+today for access

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

'No Question, We Probably Went Too Far': Delta Airlines CEO Backtracks on Sweeping Changes to SkyMiles Accounts, Sky Club Access

The unpopular changes set to roll out in 2025 were announced earlier this month.

Business News

Jeff Bezos Lost $5 Billion in 1 Day After Amazon FTC Lawsuit News

The lawsuit accuses Amazon of engaging in anticompetitive practices, which has led to a sharp decline in the company's stock value and a substantial reduction in Bezos's net worth.

Business News

凯蒂·佩里是Fighting the Founder of 1-800-Flowers for a $15 Million California Mansion He Doesn't Want to Sell Her

The eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom estate sits on nearly nine acres in the Santa Ynez foothills in Montecito.

Business News

Why Barbara Corcoran Chose Her Business Partner After Looking Inside Her Purse: 'Best Hire I Ever Made'

Esther Kaplan served as President of the Corcoran Group until 2000.

Growing a Business

So Your Company Is Talking About Transformation — But Is It Ready? Here's How To Tell.

Transformation is one of a company's many choices — but if a team opts to do it, they have to be sure the business is ready, willing and able.