Entrepreneuring in a Recession

"Don't bunt. Aim out of the ballpark. Aim for the company of immortals." - David Ogilvy

"You're the only one who can make the difference. Whatever you dream, go for it." - Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

"Serving the needs of others is the only legitimate business today." - A.P. Giannini

I could go on. Or rather, Evan Carmichael did, in his site to provide inspiration and education for business leaders (scroll over the faces...new ones are added, so go back).

It takes at least a daily dose of inspiration for entrepreneurs to lead these days. Is it worth starting a business in this economic climate? Is it worth persevering in an enterprise you have started? My resources say that actually this is one of the best times. It is a boot-camp that sets the culture and the operations that provide for strong character and growth in a business.

"Everybody says this is a good time to start a business. Well, is it?" In Is this a good time to start a business? BNET Feb 12, 2009 , Steve Tobak weighs the pros and cons, as well as letting us know what the gurus at BusinessWeek, Wall Street Journal, and others have to say. "If you’ve got an idea, can get your business plan ducks in a row, can find capital, and have a long enough runway to survive until customers have money to spend, then it’s a good idea. If not, then it’s not. But that’s just me."

In the January 19, 2009 issue of BusinessWeek, Emily Thornton outlined for entrepreneurs a game plan "Managing Through a Crisis: The New Rules." "In times of turmoil, opportunities abound. But taking advantage of them will require fast reflexes, an aggressive attitude, and serious changes to the status quo."

Executive coach Marshall Goldsmith advises, "Judge less, help those who are down, focus on the future, and understand your own emotions."