The Lessons Learned By Entrepreneurs From This Recession

1. Choose Not to Participate

My biggest lesson from the recession: Choosing not to participate in it.

My highly specialized catering business (smoothies and espresso bars for college, corporate and social events) is up dramatically in sales (40%+ over 2008) and profit margin over the past two years. I believe this is the result of very focused marketing, extreme customer care, little or no competition, unique product quality, and charging for based on value, not cost.

Thanks to: Mitchell York of Maui Wowi Coffees & Smoothies.

2. Prosper BECAUSE of it!

The lesson of the recession parallels in many ways what we saw by the
volcano that shut down Europe's skies.

There are ways to profit off every change;some people win and some
people get hurt. Instead of being depressed about the recession, its
much smarter to think "I can't change the recession, but what can I do
to help my business grow and become stronger and better because of it?

Thanks to: Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg of Small Business Marketing.

3. Wedding Planner

The biggest lesson I have learned and still am learning from this recession is that as a Wedding Planner/Coordinator brides are thinking smarter as far as using their money. Everyone is on a tight budget but they way they are thinking is whether something they need is worth it or not. I have learned to compromise with brides if they really need a Planner/Coordinator and will work with their budget.

Thanks to: Arsineh Alenkin of AB Weddings & Special Events.

4. Recession management

This won't be our last recession and while this one hit the finanical markets, it is a good lesson to monitor your cash on hand- against your available credit. Don't carry too much debt- that you could have trouble paying off- if the economy takes a downward spiral. Keep your finances and your cash flow in balance.

Thanks to: Janet Boulter of Center Consuting Group.

5. Opportunity for Reflection

The recession has been an opportunity for me to reflect on the values of my business. It's challenged me to serve my clients even better by offering them more value for their hard-earned money, and only recommending products and services that I personally would recommend to my best friend. I had that attitude from the beginning, but it's pushed me to take it to a deeper level. I think my customers appreciate that. By adding more value and giving more results - you'll better weather the storm.

Thanks to: Nicole Dean of Busy Marketers Coach.

6. Get Creative Be Flexible

Being in recruiting I've learned that the people who were most open to change and open to being creative with their skill set were the ones who did the best. I think going forward people will get more creative about promoting themself as well as the company or "job" they have and flexible to new opportunities.

Thanks to: Shannon Myers of Walton Search.

7. Stick it out!

When business times are tough, it is testing your passion. How much to do you love what you do? Do you love it enough to stick it out and ride the recession wave? I have learned that during a recession it forces you to reinvent yourself and your business. It is a wonderful opportunity for growth in areas that you least expected. You learn to be patient, and persistent. I have learned that some things you have no control over, but you do however have control on how you handle that change!

Thanks to: Phyllis Pometta of Baby Swags.

8. I can do!

The need to survive, keep my house and my family fed and finances in some form of check drove me to succeed. With a substantial paycut in my day job, bills and debt rising I would have been bankrupt without my supplemental income business. The recession, the need to survive drove me to focus on my business and to find ways to succeed. Following Mike Michalowicz advice amongst others helped me build confidence, clients and helped me prove to myself that I can build a future and grow. I CAN DO!

Thanks to: Chris Moore of Help It Crashed Again.

9. Luck

... when preparation meets opportunity. Try different things and you'll meet different opportunities.

Thanks to: Monica Tombers of Just So! Jewelry.

10. #1 Lesson: Be In Good Hands!

The #1 lesson I learned in this recession is to rely on the true Source of my prosperity and that source is God. It's like how Allstate Insurance commercials say, 'You're in good hands with them.' I say you're in good hands with HIM.

Thanks to: Stacey Smith of Naive Christians Don't Get Rich.

11. No More Money Trees

When people have less money to spend, entrepreneurs in any size business have to use more creative marketing to get people to still buy the product. Nobody wants just throw their money away.

Thanks to: Jason O'Neill of Pencil Bugs Plus.

12. "Variabilize" Your Costs!

Keep all expenses variable! By avoiding any "overhead" costs for my business, my business operates on positive margin no matter the level of revenue impact a recession might bring! It leaves me with only upside! Also keeps me from having to hunker down or "chase" business to cover expense and free to focus on finding the great opportunities that exist to continue to grow! It is totally worth whatever creativity and resourcefulness required!

Thanks to: Ann Farrell of Quantum Endeavors, Inc. .

13. Get a Life......Coach!

We know that life coaches are typically not affordable to everyone. The lesson I am taking away from this recession is people still need help BUT they don't need the high sticker price. Many of my clients need jobs AND they need their money. So, I have changed my pricing models and partnered with Compass Coaching and now offer powerful and affordable life coaching! It is a win-win situation for all! I can now offer group coaching to my clients for $39 or $59 a month!

Thanks to: Julie Novalinski of Crazy Amazing, Inc..

14. Basics Basics Basics

Don't do complicated business models. Don't believe the paper math about your business. The basics are: How much did we make, How much did we spend, The rest is profit/loss. Don't think you are clever with accounting gymnastics... Accounting gymnastics is what cased Enron to collapse, the Housing market, the Internet bubble, and more.

Lesson learned is cash is king.

Thanks to: Gary Unger of Gary Unger.

15. Listening to the Media?

The media will waste your time and pull your focus away. my number 1 lesson was to turn off the TV, Radio and stop listening to the media. I found that I stopped worrying about the economy and gained focus on my business. My business started to grow in spite of the economy, and that was a direct result of focus, work, and not participating in the dooms day attitude of the media.

Thanks to: Dotty Scott of Premium Websites.

16. What Recession?

If there's a recession going on - someone forgot to tell us! In the past 30-days we've managed to sign on a few clients who know and understand unlike most - now is not the time to cut your marketing and public relations dollars!

The first thing a lot of companies want to do is cut unnecessary expenses and some mistakenly assume that they can cut marketing dollars and continue to drum up new business. Wrong!

Marketing and Public Relations are the tools needed to bring in new customers.

Thanks to: Ericka Alston of Pyramid PR.

17. Recession Lesson

Financial Wows for all companies provides opportunities that may not have been available prior to present economic condition. From Entrepreneurs to a large company, budget cuts realigns structures of all businesses and corporate America must refine strategic planning internally. Working to resolve internal issues together, partnerships have been formed to satisfy larger corporate needs with smaller company capabilities.

Thanks to: Bob Morris of Velocity Solutions, LLC.

18. Get Creative to Survive

In a recession, the old processes and strategies may not work. You have to be resourceful to survive. Opportunities exist, even in a down economy. You just have to work harder to find or create them.

Thanks to: Susan Greene of Job Hunting Strategies.

19. Control your Cash!

The biggest business and entrepreneurial lesson I have learned from this recession is that a credit policy is as important to your business as a business plan and a marketing plan!

Cash is one of a businesses biggest assets and when you don't have a credit policy, you are letting your customers be in charge of your cash! A big NO NO if you want to stay in business.

Thanks to: Michelle Dunn of American Credit & Collections Assoc.

20. Nothing New Under The Sun

With all of the Chicken Little's running around claiming that this time it was different - the truth is that clients still have needs, the supplier that meets those needs best wins the business, and competing solely on price is never a winning strategy. Recognizing what value is being provided and justifying costs on that basis is as appropriate in flush times as it is in recessionary times.

Thanks to: David Zahn of ZAHN Consulting, LLC.

21. Cautious Spenders Count!

During a recession, folks still buy, they just buy way more judiciously. And, if your product or service is recession-friendly and actually helps people save money in a solid, value-added way, then recessionary spending can work in your favor!

Thanks to: Nancy Rielle of VerveCards.com.

22. Amp-up salesforce motivation

At first indication that the economy is softening - even if your sales still appear strong - it is time to amp-up your efforts in motivating your sales force. Otherwise, it's very common for some salespeople (hit hard by decreasing commissions) to go into a steep downward spiral. That negativity - if not dealt with swiftly - can spell the end of a salesperson's career, and your profits. Keep in mind that the urgency to act is in direct proportion to the length of your businesses' sales cycle.

Thanks to: David Sears of YouFloral.com.

23. It's all about Twitter, Baby!

In this recession I have learned that it's all about using Twitter to make those smart business connections. Those connections enable you to maintain a presence on other sites by sharing links and participating in joint ventures with these contacts. Having a presence on Twitter has helped me find those TPE businesses in my market that are bootstrapping as I am and looking for ways to generate additional income.

Thanks to: Suzanne Shaffer of Parents Countdown to College Coach.

24. STOP THE BLEEDING EARLY

A lesson hard learned a little late during these inconvenient economic times is when you see your sales off do not try to hang on to employees longer than you know you should. Even though most are like family you should cut ties early. Do not continue to pour your personal money into the business to pay them. We feel that it is our responsibility to keep a roof over their head also; but for the company to survive you must cut the strings as early as possible. In the end everyone is out for #1.

Thanks to: Thomas White of BuyBigTires.com.

25. Get Your Head Out Of The Sand

The biggest lesson learned from the recession is that this is not the time to stick your head in the sand waiting for things to get better, for the government to bail you out or for money to magically appear.
It's a time for working hard, creating great ideas and networking. Keep plugging away at it until someone says YES! There are people with money out there so do not let the news, your competition, the naysayers or your own fear and doubt bury you in a pile of ...sand.

Thanks to: Siobhan Shaw of The Broke Wives Club.

26. Life Goes On

Since my product applies mostly to babies and toddlers, I keep reminding myself and being reminded that there will always be new life. For the most part people keep having babies because they are ready to, so the market for baby and toddler products remains. It might not be as strong as it was, but even in a recession people will still have babies and will still need products for them.

Thanks to: Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper, LLC.

27. Focus, Focus, Focus

The biggest thing I've learned through this recession is to FOCUS. Sure, it was absolutely important before, but it is 100 times more important now. By forcing myself to focus and get clear on the direction I want my business to go in, I'm saving myself time, energy, and resources in the long run. As a result of FOCUSING during this recession, I've honed my niche, created new services, and worked with more ideal clients than ever before.

Thanks to: Alaia Williams of One Organized Business.

28. Be the one for someone

Especially when the economy is slow, trying to be all things to all people will do a diservice to your clients as well as to your business. Focus your offering, to broaden your appeal! Be the one-of-a-kind solution to the wishes and needs of a specific group of clients, who understand, value and treasure what you bring to their lives.
Our photography studio for instance is for families who appreciate a fun, free-spirited experience and exceptional personalized photographic artwork.

Thanks to: Oana Hogrefe of Oana Hogrefe Photography.

29. Everyone Is Not Broke

I learned valuable lessons from three people in my life. My wife, my father and Mr.TPE himself. My wife showed that if you live right there is nothing a recession can do to you. My father showed me that he prepared for the recession by pulling his money out of the stock market before it crashed. Michael Michalowicz along with others helped sponsor me at an event. The power in these stories is that everyone is not broke and they will support you if you have a quality product or service.

Thanks to: Derrick Hayes of WOE Enterprises .

30. Don't Stop Spending

Don't make the mistake of cutting back your marketing budget during a recession. It's a great short-term fix. However, once the economy picks up your prospects will have forgotten about you and your brand. Spend your marketing money wisely with targeted email campaigns, press releases and direct mail. You're ROI may seem low during the recession, but you'll be miles ahead of the competition once things pick up.

Thanks to: Tad Dobbs of Creative Squall.

31. Bad Times? Offer New Products

The most important lesson from this recession may seem counterintuitive: expand your product line. Remember the 80/20 rule of business? 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers. Not only is expanding your product line excellent customer service in that you're offering the customer MORE but also you're giving the customer the opportunity to spend MORE. It's a win/win for both your customers and your small business.

Thanks to: Eugenia Francis of TeaCHildMath.

32. Reduce Expenses!

Try to reduce your overhead as much as possible, and keep your variable expenses in line with your sales. Try to tie compensation to performance as well. Now is the time to negotiate with suppliers to get the best pricing, and get at least three quotes on all services.

Once the market bounces back, you'll have survived the storm and be ready to capture market share from those that didn't.

Thanks to: Michael Ayalon of Petwebdesigner.com.

33. Don't neglect the sales trail

My lesson learned is "don't find excuses to NOT sell", whether it's a poor economy, workload, or your own fears. At the very least you'll grow a thick skin during a weak economy and when it picks back up you might even have become that rockstar salesman/saleswoman. I've taken the "new" sales role and have focused since we hired additional employees. We had our largest quarter ever this year and are on our way to a banner year.

Thanks to: Ed Wenzel of RedEye, Inc..

34. Entrepreneurial Spirit Booms

The one thing I've found to be very true in this current state of economy between working with clients and helping newbies get started online is that entrepreneurial spirit booms, and loudly!

What I mean by that is that our society as a whole has really had to dig deep, find their creativity, and bring out that little entrepreneur that's hiding inside all of us.

Lately I've been in awe of the creativity and overwhelming spirit that people have for creating a whole new lifestyle.

Thanks to: Loretta Oliver of EasyWAHM Helping You Work From Home.

35. Employees As Great Bargains

The most important less that we have learned in this recession is to aggressively expand as much as you can. The worse the economy has gotten, the pool of applicants applying for jobs with Assets International has gotten both deeper and better qualified. This has given our company the opportunity to secure a great staff.

Thanks to: Michael Zwick of Assets International, LLC.

36. one lesson from the meltdown

I'm still trying to find my way, but the one lesson I'm learning from the recession is "fight the lizard brain".

Try to find some way to differentiate yourself / your brand or you risk being lost and overwhelmed in the Sea of Mediocre.

(oh, and to hug my 3 boys a LOT more...I totally cheated on the "one lesson" thing)

Thanks to: erik yuzwa of Wazoo Enterprises Inc..

37. Lessons from the Recession

What I personally learned is to keep your head down, be open to change, stay positive, and stay the course. The last three years have been full of change for our company, but we have just put our heads in the sand and kept our attitudes up. And most of all be open to the idea that your business may not look like you thought it would, but that doesn't mean it's anything less.

Thanks to: Michelle Gamble-Risley of 3L Publishing.

38. Focus on growth

We were very well positioned for the recession because we shifted our focus to growing companies about two years ago.

Even if your clients were affected by the downturn, focusing on growing their capabilities to better serve their clients could work for your business too.

It's a win-win. Your clients make more money and so do you.

Thanks to: Steve French of Infomatix.

39. Barter, Exchange Services

You can't do it all, regardless of the recession. I'm still learning this and paying dearly for not learning it sooner. We may be cash strapped, but that doesn't mean we have to do everything ourselves. I've learned to barter with other business owners in exchange for work I need done, exchange banner ads with other businesses to increase brand exposure and have developed partnerships with other businesses in a joint effort to provide more value and grow our businesses. Every little bit helps.

Thanks to: Julie Northrop of FreeBirthdayTreats.com.

40. People may say they're broke..

But the truth is, they still have credit cards, and they're still willing to use them. Rule #1: Make it easy for people to pay you. You'll make more money. And no, PayPal doesn't count.

Thanks to: Jim Kukral of TheBizWebCoach.com.

41. Keep On Keeping On

I have learned to keep on keeping on when times are tough. This is not the first time in my life I have experienced hard financial times. What has worked for me is to think creatively for solutions to problems, network and share my experience, strength and hope with others and to pray. I have surrounded myself with positive pursuits and positive people to uplift my spirits. Lastly, I pay it forward.

Thanks to: Esther Denn of eDenn Property Management, Inc..

42. Recession? What recession?

The one lesson I've learned from the recession is to appreciate the fact that I'm an entrepreneur! I never have to complain about having to punch a timeclock for a job I hate. I live in an area with a low cost of living (NE Iowa), so the financial pressure is less than in the "Big City." I haven't had a "real job" in 15 years, yet I've helped writers from 23 countries reach for their dreams via the Net. My advice: find something you LOVE to do...and then find a way to do THAT for a living!

Thanks to: Gary Anderson of ABC Iowa Writing & Editing.

43. I didn't "sell"

The recession resulted in measurable business loss. But business the past two months has has been the best in some years! What did I do? I didn't "sell" during the rough times. I steadfastly maintained contact through items & articles - new products, how someone else had benefited, how "Higher Quality Costs Less" benefits even more during tightened budget times, and sincere inquires on what I might be able to do to help a client. 'No pressure to buy' was foremost. It worked for me.

Thanks to: Harry Rakfeldt of AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants Dealer.

44. Don't Over Extend Yourself!

One of the best lessons I learned during this last recession was not to over-extend yourself by borrowing to support your expenses. Luckily for me this is a lesson that I learned early on from my father. In 2007 I was looking to purchase a home and ALMOST purchased one that I knew was beyond my means, but I decided to opt for a more prudent choice in a home. Good thing I did, because I would have most likely lost my home if I had gone for the more extravagant purchase.

Thanks to: Eric Kates of Mortgage Leads.

45. In Tough Times Give More Value

The single most important lesson that my company has learned throughout this recession is to provide more value to your customers. Some companies raise prices because of lower sales. I take the opposite approach and work harder to give my customers more. This builds customer loyalty and increases referrals. By micromanaging each customer experience, you increase the likelihood your customers will stay loyal. If you focus on your customers, a recession will be less relevant.

Thanks to: Mark Hall of Input Ladder.

46. Money Is Just a Thing

If the recession has taught me anything, it is that money isn't everything. Behind every business struggling due to a bad economy is a family. While the tighter budgets hurt, there are always things we can cut back on. One thing you should add, though, is time spent with your family. If you save money by not going on vacation, still take the time off to be with your family. You can live on less money if you have more love.

Thanks to: Bradford Shimp of All Business Answers.

47. Give 'em what they want

Our business had been based primarily on high end and custom jewelry. With the recession we realized that our customers became focused more on enhancing relationships over spending money on themselves. We added a new low end line that is an affordable gift and makes people laugh together. That line has now become hugely successful.

Thanks to: Jenny Pellitteri of Jenny and Jimbob.

48. Relationships Matter

Our biggest lesson from this "interesting" time is that it is very important to work on your relationships with your customers. Business owners have had to weather the storm of laying off employees, taking little or no pay, plus re-design their businesses. They need the support of honest, caring service providers to stay in the game. Creating honest and supportive relationships is the best way to go forward in this or any economy.

Thanks to: Kathy Mason of Mason Works, LLC.

49. Listen, Listen, Listen!

The most important thing you can do in ANY economy is listen to your market. They will always tell you what they need and how they need you to deliver it to them.

In our case, teaching women about money, they wanted less information, delivered in bite-sized pieces, so that they could work on one little change at a time. In response to learning this, we're about to deliver short pieces of our program over the internet so they can listen and learn at home for less. They love it this way!

Thanks to: Elisabeth Donati of Creative Wealth Intl., LLC.

50. Persistent Collaboration

By gathering together like-minded people we have presented our sustainability expertise very professionally - and will continue to do so until the market opens up.

We've generated responses and opportunities even though revenue has to catch up.

By connecting with others we are raising our own profile, gaining spectacular associates, learning a lot, having fun and are well positioned to take off as things shift.

Courage is acting in spite of fear and doubt!

Thanks to: Kathryn Alexander of Ethical Impact L3C.

51. It's all about the 3 C's.

When economic times are less than perfectly perky you got'a stay with the 3 C's. So what are they?
1. Content- what ever you write,blogs, articles,tweets, etc. Offer the reader something of value.
2. Credibility- You need to be honest and sincere with your readers/customers.
3. Consistent- Stay on topic/products. Stick to a schedule. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by bright shiny new ideas,diverting you from your goals.
Always look up!

Thanks to: Karen Hobson of Start 2 Finish Writers Workshop.

52. Ya Still Gotta Market

The only way to survive a downturn is to stay in front of your prospects. Eventually they’ll start buying again and they can’t buy from you if they don’t know you’re there! “Free” ways to market your business include unpaid public speaking, submitting articles to web and print publications, responding to blog posts and getting active on discussion forums. Always offer something intelligent and include a link to your web site.

Thanks to: Leslie Guria of SpeakingBonanza.com.

53. Recession Lesson

I have found that when you route people to FREE things, the response is always overwhelming. It doesn't even have to be FREE things that YOU offer, just show your subscribers, fans, and friends where to get FREE Stuff.

For example, I posted where to get FREE Mars Chocolate Candies (M&M's, Snickers, etc.) and 8 Things to Do in NYC for FREE (movies, kayaking,concerts, yoga, etc.,)and people loved it!

When you can't give Free, point the way to FREE! You'll get lots of new e-friends that way!

Thanks to: H. Luiz Martinez of H. Luiz Presents....

54. Unstuffing the Business Box

1. Look more in your own backyard for business Vs from the internet. Personal contact and being local goes a long way.

2. Follow your target audience, not the marketing gurus. Your audience will tell you what to provide, charge and where you need to go to market to them.

3. Streamline and systemize your business and cut your time to only tasks that will bring in money.

4. Think outside the box and be creative.

5. Be you, not a 'seller'.

6. Show you really care.

Thanks to: Tonia Boterf of The Practical Expert.

55. Tell the Lone Ranger 'adios'

You can't do it alone. Collaborating with others is key. Finding out--Who you can help while they're helping you. For an example, in my business as a visual artist, I have found it helpful to work with an interior designer where I provide her with photo decor samples and, and she refers me to her clients-- or we work on designing a room together, using our respective talents.It is stretching me as a business person and artist. I'm also making myself discover new ways to collaborate.

Thanks to: Joan Rudder-Ward of the Image Maker.

56. Recession means Reinvention!

Tough economic times have taught me to think expansively. Most of my work since the recession started has been from people calling or emailing and saying, "I know this isn't what you normally do, but I'm wondering if you could help us." Saying yes more often and staying nimble and flexible in my business thinking has helped me navigate the choppy recession waves.
Reinvention is challenging but it's also fun to think of yourself, your abilities and your work in alternative ways.

Thanks to: Tammy Brackett of Moonstruck Promotions.

57. We've Got Balls

Credit options shrinking, manufacturing costs increasing but we never give up,we’ve got balls. Against advice we give more discounts and longer terms in order to serve others. We live simply and consequently we enjoy every thing more. Our balls, Thumballs remind us what’s important: getting to know each other better, making learning fun and feeling connected. Our families think we’re crazy to do for others before ourselves but we’ve got balls, always will, recession or not. Let’s play!

Thanks to: Mary Pembleton of Answers In Motion.

58. Back to Ground Zero

Recession took me to same stage when I started my 3rd & current business. I call it "Back to Ground Zero". To sustain this period I started working with more aggression as business was on a slippery road. Clients had their own share of worries.

This is the time when I re-wrote my business plan navigating it to new opportunities. I created a clear niche with very encouraging initial results. Through e-commerce solutions I am offering flexibility to clients to place small multiple orders.

Thanks to: Naresh Vij of Kaveri Consultants, India.

59. Stop Flailing--Be Fearless!

Fear is the biggest stumbling block for any entreprenuer. What each succesive business startup has taught serial entreprenuers is to be fearless in the creation, production and marketing of any new idea or product. Entreprenuers tend to over analyze their market and lose a potential opening to succeed. When an entreprenuer ceases the indiscrimnate marketing dance and focuses on a single market, the fear of failing will fade and success becomes more certain. So the big lesson? Fear not!

Thanks to: Laura Reeves of Common Sense Practice.

60. Head Up, Feet Moving

Keep your head out of the gutter and your feet in motion. The recession has been one big downer! I realized I was depressed and my business was suffering as a result. Likewise, my lifestyle (drinking coffee all day, eating poorly, etc) was supporting that depression.

As soon as I made simple lifestyle changes - like drinking more water - I started feeling better and more clear. I got out in front of my clients more often with a positive outlook and more opportunities started coming my way.

Thanks to: Megan Rhodes of Megan Rhodes Photography.

61. Isolation Kills Profits

Recessions tend to cause people to isolate themselves. This is the absolutely wrong thing to do. To survive recessions or any difficult time requires being connected to a community of supportive people. Get involved in your local chamber of commerce, religious group, or start your own association. Learn a valuable lesson from the Pilgrims, who would not have survived the hardships of the New World without help from one of the local Native American tribes. Get connected and keep your dream alive!

Thanks to: Coach Paul of Edward Professional Advisors.

62. Bend, But Don't Break

Our small agency has minimum retainers, required payment schedules and rock-solid contract terms that were not up for negotiation.

When the economy went sour, we were forced to bend on most of our policies in order to accommodate clients with limited resources. However, when we broke our policies in order to sign business, unscrupulous clients sensed weakness and tried to take advantage.

Set your policies in stone, allow for flexibility during a recession, but never break those policies.

Thanks to: Kevin Mercuri of Propheta Communications.

63. Help Fill The Void

If you can understand an individual's problem and thousands of other people have same problem AND you can figure out how to fill that void you have identified a huge opportunity. Now more than ever business owners have smaller budgets. I work with many eCommerce owners who wanted to take advantage of the social shopping trend and Facebook. We created an inexpensive App that connects a website with their Facebook page easily and inexpensively. 20,000 active users so far shows we filled a void.

Thanks to: Jay Feitlinger of ShopTab on Facebook.

64. What a Hurricane Taught Us

For my husband and I, we've learned to take chances. We live in Galveston, Texas, where facing recovery from Hurricane Ike and navigating a recession has taught life lessons I like to call "Ike 101." After Ike, we found a prime location in Galveston's Strand District, and in 3 weeks, opened our new store on a shoestring and a dream. Opportunities still exist, even in a town ravaged by both a hurricane and an economic recession. You have to get past all the fears & what-ifs & take advantage.

Thanks to: Kristen Ethridge of Galveston Outfitters.

65. Read My Friend Read!

People tend to worry so much nowadays and it is even worse during a recession. What I learnt from the recession is that you would better invest your time in yourself, filling your mind with great ideas that you can find in great books such as the ones from Dale Carnergie. No matter what happens outside, if your head is full of ideas nothing will stop you!

Thanks to: Victor Meijers of SoundTshirt.

66. Never Ever Stop

No matter how successful you and your business is at any one point, never ever stop learning and marketing. Never!

Thanks to: Kate Nasser of The People-Skills Coach, CAS, Inc..

67. We Are Bruised, But Not Beaten

My entrepreneurial lesson learned from the recession is that we are resilient. We may have been knocked down for a time during the recession, but we bounced back. We got creative, we used different ideas, we thought "outside the box". We maintained a positive outlook, and most of us bounced back, some better than before.
To your success,
Dr. Laura

Thanks to: Laura Aridgides of Norwex Enviro Products.

68. When dreams won't die.

The recession for me has'nt been a really tough place to start. I know there is never really an easy time. It may help if money was a little less constricted. Never the less, if you can make it when times are hard and use the talent and strengths that you began with- Nothing can stop you! Life really is that short. Being a TPE is worth the sacrifice. If you have a dream, don't let it die. Good economy or bad Making a million dollars or fifty dollars is up to you when you have your own business.

Thanks to: Shelley Horton of Beautiful Visions.

69. Say 'No' to Negativity

Everywhere I went, business owners kept lamenting the sorry state of the economy. That hadn't been my experience, but I wasn't about to play Suzy Sunshine to their Gloomy Gus. Listening to the negativity, however, made me second-guess my decisions and experience. Finally, during a peer networking group, I shared what we were doing to keep business moving, and it changed the whole mood. Suddenly, everyone was excited about the possibilities.

Stay positive, and trust yourself.

Thanks to: Mistina Picciano of Market It Write.

70. Be Happy

Always be positive. Your customers don't want to know your problems. They don't want to know if you are having problems paying your bills. They don't know want to know your personal problems either. Especially be positive in your social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Customers don't want to deal with someone in business who is complaining or whining all the time about how bad things are. They want to hear good news. They want to see you happy. Happy business owners make happy customers.

Thanks to: Lesley Rackowski of Pillowcasegram & Other Things.

71. Honey, I shrunk the boss

When the going got tough I told the boss to stop whining, and got fired. Eureka, I said. At last I've shrunk the boss!

When the money did not come and the wife started whining I told her she has two options:

1. Shrink your boss, and join me, or
2. Get shrunk.

She is still pondering, but at least the whining stopped.

The moral of the story?

Stop listening to all those who say its not possible.

Don't shrink the kids. Shrink the mental blocks, come hell or high water.

Thanks to: Rian Malan of MindMaps ZA.

72. Recession?... OH BOY!!! :o(

WOW!

I sure didn't see THAT coming!

What did I learn most about this recession?

That it's HARD it is to Stay Positive, to Stay Optimistic, to Keep on BELIEVING in your Dreams!

But you know what ELSE I learned?

That we HAVE TO!

We HAVE TO stay positive, we HAVE TO stay Motivated, we HAVE TO Continue to Believe in our DREAMS! We HAVE TO Keep Moving FORWARD!

NO MATTER WHAT!

WHY?

Because of our KIDS! If we can STICK to our DREAMS
in the Bad Times, THEN SO CAN THEY!

Thanks to: Amanda van der Gulik of Teaching Children About Money.

73. If cash is the lifeblood...

If cash flow is the lifeblood of a business, then sales is the heart that keeps it pumping. If you want to stay in business, sales is everything.

Thanks to: Steve Brown of MYLE Software.

74. Advertising is Dead

With the recession, saving money is more important than ever as businesses try to make every single dollar count. Entrepreneurs have to understand that traditional advertising does not have the bang for your buck it once did. The internet allows you to target such highly concentrated target markets in ways that newspapers and even niche magazines cannot. Invest in search engine optimization. With Google, you have potential customers telling you what they want. Get your site in front of them.

Thanks to: Anthony Adams of THC-The Hangover Cure.

75. Personal Contact

My business was hit prior to the Oct/Nov '09 downturn, my clients are primarily IR/PR counselors for publicly-traded companies. The most important lesson I learned: making a personal connection. It made a HUGE difference when I picked up the phone just to say 'hello'. Since my location hinders face-to-face meetings, the phone calls & handwritten notes had positive impact on me. More personable in nature. We were all experiencing some hard times and reaching out only made us stronger.

Thanks to: Joann Sondy of Creative Aces Corp..

76. Social Media Confusion?

We had to adapt to grow our own business and we became immediate experts in the "New Media" & Web 2.0 world.

WE know a lot of people that would like to hang the WallStreet insiders Now We can Play by their game and win @ Tradertom.info

Thanks to: Trader Tom of HRT Development LLC.

77. Recession? raise prices!

okay, this will not work for most businesses, or maybe no businesses other than mine. At what seemed to me the worst point of the recession and panic, my numbers were holding steady, identical to year-ago. But we stopped growing. 2009 was 0.5% above 2008.

I hadn't increased my prices for awhile, so in August of 2009, I did. Result? Today we're both increasing our number of orders AND increasing the average order size!

The lesson? There's never a bad time for a good price increase?

Thanks to: Jeff Block of JustPaperRoses.com.

78. Follow the Energy

Take a look at your business and follow the energy, or follow what is creating a true ROI for you. IF there are certain projects that are complete time sucks with little to no return they are not worth your effort. Keep an eye on low hanging fruit and the big fish.

Thanks to: Michele Smith of 3L Publishing/M Communications.

79. Need is Different than Want

The recession is the reason I started my business. We needed a steady source of income. Gratefully, I'm finding success as an entrepreneur, but I never actually wanted to be one. I needed to be one. And I sell a product that people actually need. Want is secondary. In hard times, if you can offer people a solution to their everyday problems at an affordable price, you've cleared oh, maybe half the hurdles that face every business owner. Give them what they need, not just what they want.

Thanks to: Kelly Lester of EasyLunchboxes.com.

80. Spend Smart

Spend your dollars wisely. Do not be cheap though. Pushing a higher marketing budget during a recession can help your business continue to grow even after the recession. Studies have shown that businesses that spent more money on marketing during a recession had stronger growth post-recession.

Thanks to: Danny Wong of Custom Men's Dress Shirts | BL.

81. Maintaining High Quality

We've maintained the highest quality pearl jewelry and craftsmanship in our products as we know our customers trust that about us and will keep coming back. I think many entrepreneurs who decided to skimp on quality ingredients/products to save money during the recession will find they lose many customers.

Thanks to: Piper Smith of Museum Way Pearls.

82. Challenge Helps Us Evolve

My practice took a big hit during the recession and I started to get worried. I knew that I could worry and contract, or act and evolve so I decided to act. I didn't waste energy on what I couldn't change, i.e. the economy, and focused it on what I could change. I cleaned up my act via diet, nutrition, exercise and meditation to clear my channel for abundance. I started my blog, Let Change Happen, giving a focus for my writing, and I hired a social media consultant to extend my reach. It worked!

Thanks to: Dr. Stephanie Rasband.

83. Prove Your Benefits

Selling during a recession is much more difficult than when the economy is good. For people to buy, they have to believe in you and what you are selling. They want to know they will receive the end benefit(s) you promise. When money is tight, people cannot afford to make mistakes on their purchases. The way to create trust and prove the quality of your product or service is to offer a strong money-back guarantee, provide testimonials, and provide references.

Thanks to: Peter Geisheker of The Geisheker Group Marketing Firm.

84. America's Money Mentor

When warning signs appear entrepreneurs often think"things will get better." Unfortunately, they often get worse. It's much easier to ramp a business up than shrink it down. Growth is a "happy problem" When money gets tight, options are limited. Wise planning can help weather a rough stretch. The key is to keep the company lean. Don't add new staff just because you can afford it or because staff is feeling overwhelmed. Often productivity issues are the cause, not manpower.

Thanks to: ross jardine.

85. Debt: The Silent Killer

Recession Lesson: It's Not What You Make, It's What You Owe That Matters

What has taken down half the world's economy in this global recession was not political turmoil or natural disaster (though it didn't help), it was debt. Old-fashioned, owe-more-than-you-can-pay debt. It took down individuals, then companies, then countries. Debt is a global problem since it takes down its creditors. Controlled debt can create opportunities; rampant debt will shut them off.

Thanks to: Rebecca Schreiber, CFP of Solid Ground Financial Planning.

86. Fear and greed

Fear has never been an investment strategy. I have always known my true value to clients, but this recession really emphasized it. Having the relationship that I have with my clients enabled them to stay focused on their goals and to tune out "the sky is falling" messages that were being thrown at them in every direction. Recessions happen but so do recoveries. I'm sure that greed will be the next market emotion, but the message is the same -- focus on your goals.

Thanks to: Michelle Heide of Patton, Heide & Associates.

87. Perseverance Past Competition

The lesson I learned: PERSEVERANCE. Many small businesses closed their doors. So I decided to keep working MyPreciousKid.com. I researched products, priced at MSRP, marketed through social media, offered coupon codes, cut expenses and gave excellent customer service. As the competition narrowed we became known as MY PRECIOUS KID – Child Safety Store. Our experience in child safety positioned us as an expert in our field. So our perseverance will position us for growth as the economy rebounds.

Thanks to: Kay Green of My Precious Kid LLC.

88. Busy or Not, Always be Ready

The biggest lesson I learned is to BE READY. A wise manager at a pizza shop I worked at taught me that unless you are prepared to be busy, even when it's not, you will never be prepared to succeed. With that in mind, I stayed prepared and sure enough it got REAL busy during this recession and I'm having the strongest year to date. In business preparation is a matter continuing education so it's absolutely crucial to always be prepared. Get caught unprepared and you'll regret it!

Thanks to: Edwin Soler of Libreria Berea.

89. I Have a Confession to Make...

I must be the only one happy about the downturn.If it was a year before I wouldnt have left my job.Kalon Women would still be a dream.Planning included the worst case scenario but there are days when I look in the mirror and think Ive lost my mind!Did passion cloud my judgment?Do I have regrets?No!Ive learned to be true to me!Ive had huge highs and lows,days Im so busy I wonder how it will all get done.Then I worry why the phone wont ring.Don’t give up.Be true to you!Anything is possible!

Thanks to: Sandra Levitin of Kalon Women.

90. Magazine for women by women

I have found that money does not always get the best results your after. Since the economy has been in the toilet of sorts, thinking outside the box is a must. First barter with whom you plan to do business. This has opened many doors. Secondly use twitter,facebook and any other means of social media. Make your own if you wish.There is always more than one way to skin a rabbit. Think of other ways to get the job done if you have $0 in your pocket and go for it..

Thanks to: Deb Bailey of Power Women Magazine.

91. How To Make 100% Profits Now

Not everyone wants to be a trillionaire (ok, some of us) but most realistic people just want to know how to earn a good amount of income without having to do an insane amount of work.

The best way I have found is to find something that ALREADY works, & RESELL it. I have made my living this way & now give others the opportunity to do the same thing. If you have 5 minutes, I invite you to check out www.ReSellerPros.com to check out the latest, best paying gig I have found. Cheers!

Thanks to: Trent Wilson of Reseller Pros.

92. Micromanage Your Budget

Little costs here and there add up. Most small businesses are strapped for cash all the time, but especially during a recession. Watch every dollar you spend. Cut any costs you can without diminishing the quality of your product/service/image.

Thanks to: David Reich of SixEstate Communications.

93. You Determine Your Own Success

Fortunate to work with micro-businesses and entrepreneurs, my business did not suffer at all during the recession. In fact, it grew. But the lesson for me was how crucial it is to continue your networking, prioritize your follow-up, and get busy with social media BEFORE times get tough, and especially when things are going well. Waiting until the leads dry up is the worst time to start business-building. We all know that, but practicing it, day in and day out, is the key to success.

Thanks to: Laura Orsini of Write | Market | Design.

94. Active vs. Passive Marketing

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing and developing a specialty in my industry in an effort to cast a smaller, but more significant "net". During the first 8.5 years of my business, 95% of my marketing & PR was "passive". In March 2009 it became clear I needed help. I took lessons from TPE, a biz coach and others to develop a workable and "active" marketing strategy. I accept that it will always be a work in progress, but because we're small, yet powerful, the strategy can bend or flex as needed.

Thanks to: Erin Shakoor of Shakoor Interiors.

95. Attack and Adjust

It's very easy to get stuck in the rut of doing the same thing over. But when that thing that worked for you before doesn't work any more it's not easy to figure out you have to recreate yourself and your business. The faster you do this the faster you find a new way of operating that works. Or at least we move through a few that don't until we find the one that does. Fail quickly and move on.

It's likely that old way might not have been the greatest anyway. It just worked enough.

Thanks to: Phil Weaver of BreakPal - Workplace Wellness.

96. Action Triumphs Hope

Far too many individuals are playing Captain Wing It by engaging in spraying & praying with the hope that something will stick. Without a planned course of action, you are left rudderless. You are the Captain of your destiny in good times and bad. Committing your goals to writing, monitoring them will yield you results unless you truly enjoy being left at the mercy of the economic winds.

Thanks to: Leanne Hoaglanfd-Smith of ADVANCED SYSTEMS.

97. Reporters Love Gloom & Doom

I learned to stay informed without buying into the message that we're all doomed. My experience is not defined by the experiences of others. I need to always stick to the task at hand. Any success I create will have a ripple effect, and help others to achieve their own goals.

Thanks to: Beth Andrus of The Essential Business Handbook.

98. #1 Observation from Start-Ups

From a career in start-ups in finance and operations, one of the most consistent truisms I have come to realize is this: "The most optimistic person you'll ever meet is the CEO of a company going bankrupt."

A CEO of a failing company always thinks the next order is coming in to save the company. Or thinks that next month everything will turn around.

Thanks to: Marc Baskin of Suburban Digital.

99. Exceed Customer Service

Running an on line retail business can be almost an anoynmous interaction between customers. We try to make it more personal since we sell sleepwear. We wrap all our orders like a gift so the customer is delighted and exceeds their expectation.

Thanks to: Haralee Weintraub of Haralee.Com.

100. Learn to become a selling mach

As a new consultant, my lesson learned is "LEARN HOW TO SELL". Learn how to find the decision makers and be able to successfully sell to them. If you haven't had to sell anything before, find people who will create an unofficial "Selling Boot Camp" for you. Your livelihood is largely dependent on how well you learn to sell yourself and your services.

Thanks to: Alison Hinson of Alison Hinson MBA, LLC.

101. Do your own thing!

One of the biggest benefits I've seen from the recession is a huge crop of new entrepreneurs that it has created. Tons of talented people have been laid off, most through no fault of their own. Many of these smart people have decided to step off the corporate train and create their own path to success. And business is booming for many of them as well. Their clients are thrilled to get experienced help at a fraction of the cost and nearly none of the politics. It's a win-win for everyone!

Thanks to: Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk of BBR Marketing.

102. Save More Money and Do More!

I regularly review everything I do to spend less. The recession caused me to review more often, and I was delighted to find that many new opportunities opened up that have allowed me to make 96 percent cost reductions (such as in reaching interested prospects) that work better than the old solutions. I intend to keep looking for bargains and more effectiveness more frequently.

Thanks to: Donald Mitchell of The Four Hundred Year Project.

103. Love What You Do!

Who says that times are tough? It's my attitude that determines my success. Although, I can't control the complexities of the economy, I can always look for ways to be of service to my clients and offer them the best.

Building community, uniting vendor and customers, acting as a catalyst for change and resource for best practices, helps clients to clear their path for success; in turn my success builds. The best advice - do what you love, share the love and watch your business grow!

Thanks to: Judith Lukomski of Transitions Today Inc..

104. How People React Under Stress

In my global circle, I’ve seen contributions to charities of both time & money increase since this recession started.Laid back friends have turned into shaky, caffeine addicted worriers, yet, other businesses steadily grow – even thrive.The lesson, I think is not to take anything in life for granted. All can change in an instant.Be kind & generous in good times and in bad and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.Don’t wait for a tragedy to smile and offer help – live that way always.

Thanks to: Kathi Casey of Kathi Casey, Boomer Wellness Expert.

105. Tough Measures for Tough Times

Whaddya' do when the money is slow & sales R no go? You do what U must or else U’ll go bust!
One word of advice that helped me survive is connecting with others, which helped me 2 thrive.
There’s no cost & low-cost biz programs galore, 1 perfect example is a program called SCORE.
There’s a program for funding & marketing & sales, & people behind them 2 tell all your tales.
The problem 4 most is where do U look, these programs aren’t found in a telephone book.
BUZGate.org

Thanks to: Deborah Osgood of BUZGate.org.

106. ONE YEAR IN THE BANK

Keep a year in the bank. We make it part of our financial policy. This recession, we didn't let anyone go, reduce hours, or cut benefits. People who needed to leave, did; we were left with a culturally sound and strongly executing team. Later in the recession, we increased some people's hours, benefits, and brought some on salary. Have a year in the bank. You'll save money and time in demoralization, rebuilding your culture and team. Give yourself, your organization, and your team that security.

Thanks to: Pamela Hawley of UniversalGiving.

107. What Recession?

I haven't seen my revenue drop at all during the recession. I think a major factor is that I have gotten creative with offering payment plans -my clients appreciate this and I still have great cash flow.

Thanks to: Ann Ronan of Authentic Life Institute.

108. You're Never Too Old or Smart

I may be 72 but I think young and interested in everything. Thought I had seen it all but the lesson I learned is "You are never too old or experienced to learn from a shift in energy. Expect the unexpected, be prepared for things you don't control, and be able to turn on your own dime. When you get too comfortable, there's a vampire that comes down and gets you. Always have something steady to fall back on and make sure your customers love you.

Thanks to: Gayle Carson of Carson Research Center.

109. Keep investing in R&D

Our biggest lesson from this recession (and the three before this one) is that it's important to keep investing in innovation and IP that creates real value for your customers. During a recession cutting operating costs may be necessary for short-term survival, but your R&D investment should be protected at all cost. R&D is your differentiation "seed corn" that insures your next "crop". P.S. Taking our own advice on this has been instrumental in powering our growth through this recession.

Thanks to: Stephen Antisdel of NetNitroX.

110. You're Not Gonna Like it.

As passionate as I am about my book to help people with cat behavior, I realize the economy may be swaying people to forgo and put off buying unnecessary products. In a perfect world most people will spend money for what they WANT and NEED. Currently, needs and wants are evaluated for the most necessary for survival. Both sides of this can be an emotional issue, and we that are not selling the product de joir, will be waiting to make a difference when and where we can.

Thanks to: Carolyn Bartz of SECRETS OF CAT ATTITUDE REVEALED.

111. Never Quit !

An important lesson that was re-inforced by the economic recession is never quit. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving. Like many other entrepeneurs, we cut expenses in areas that have resulted in little return on investment, while using capital to re-brand our company website and visibility in the marketplace, including the use of free social media, blogs, etc. As a result of not quitting, I learned that reduced marketing budgets can still yield big returns.

Thanks to: Greg Jenkins of Bravo Productions.

112. Niche Market is Key

For us being in a Niche Market is key for our business. The fact that our apparel selection is not a mainstream product, makes us the go to company. We are not in a sea of businesses doing the same thing.

Finding a niche market for your business will seriously contribute to your overall success, and your bottom line. You have a worldwide customer base to work with so a little research to identify the right place for your business will go a long way.

Thanks to: Tracy Wright of Executees, Inc..

113. Cash is King!

The biggest business lesson that I've learned from the recession is that cash is KING. The ability to withstand a drop in revenues, lost clients, and tighter credit lending is to have cash reserves. Most of my small business clients that have gone out of business didn't fail for lack of a great product or service. Most failed for lack of cash reserves to supplement reduced revenues. The old adage for personal finance is equally applicable for business finance: Live below your means.

Thanks to: Traci Ellis of Launch Therapy.

114. Don't be Complacent

One of the biggest lessons from the recession is that you can never take things for granted and expect business to continue as is. We immedidately launched new and innovative products lines and even brought on additional staff. To rely on the same sources of income from the same market while things are slowing down is risky at best. You have to always be re-inventing yourself and expanding your company offerings!

Thanks to: craig wolfe of CelebriDucks.

115. Diversify and Delegate

Whether good times or not it is always best to have diversification and multiple revenue streams, different product lines, and target markets. If you lose one large client or market you can focus on the others and still be ok. Even if you are selling chocolate you sell small and large boxes, different shapes additives etc.

Delegate work that takes you away from focusing on the business growth and keeps you doing the day to day work in the business. It also helps get new ideas.

Thanks to: Harriet Cohen of Training Solutions.

116. A "Warm" and Fuzzy Attitude

Find the positive. I came into the business on a daily basis knowing we were in a tough situation and I had to put a positive spin on it. So, in my communication to the staff - I took my focus from sales and placed it on all the improvements, new opportunities and divisions we were creating. This way the focus was on the positive changes that were taking place and not the negative changes in our revenue and profit. I created a "no layoff" policy and everyone really committed to the cause.

Thanks to: Julia Billen of Warmly Yours.

117. Recession equals opportunity

As the economic downturn hit I saw that it was an opportunity to get in front of key decision makers and have people pick up the phone who normally would be too busy to. My company was able to build brand awareness and create a platform to introduce something new and exciting to the key people that will be called upon to bring something "new" to the table once the fear fades a bit and the ability to take risks becomes a natural next step

Thanks to: Laura Wellington of The Giddy Gander Company LLC.

118. Borrow Bootstraps

After being an Ivy Leaguer, I never expected to be happily homeless. Beyond lean startups, it's about lean lives. Bandywagon, a bartering network for entrepreneurs and small businesses, is based on a belief in the spirit/virtue of collaboration in entrepreneurship. Wealth without capital. Borrowing other peoples bootstraps is extreme and radical collaboration. I take myself to the verge of survival personally and in business. Because my product is my only currency, I go hard. Extreme bartering.

Thanks to: Sekai Farai of Bandywagon.

119. Get more entrepreneureal

2009 was learning on steroids. I followed the laws of entrepreneurial success:
- Have guts of steel. Don’t panic, give up, or declare defeat. Annie” said, ‘The sun will come out…”
- Hope is not a strategy. Reexamine your strategy. Keep what’s working & dump what’s not
- Scan your market for gaps you can fill. Market your solution & decide if it’s viable
- No failure for an entrepreneur– just things learn from. Make sure your analysis goes deep and is unflinching
- ENJOY!

Thanks to: Rebecca Staton-Reinstein of Advantage Leadership, Inc..

120. It's Cheaper to Keep Her

This term originated as advice to men having to pay alimony if they divorced, but it has become my mantra in this recession. I was spinning my wheels trying to bring in new clients - using valuable resources, time and money, to get them into my virtual "front door." But I hadn't allocated any of my money or time to KEEPING the clients I already had. Imagine that? Now I'm keeping my eye on the BACK door - making sure none of my paying clients sneak out when I'm not paying attention.

Thanks to: Amber O'Neal of Amber O'Neal - Weight Loss Coaching.

121. Plans T, U & V

Have more than one idea or plan. Chances are you'll have to use them at one point or another. Surrounding yourself with a great bunch of people doesn't hurt either!

Thanks to: Tina Wick of Greenpurse.

122. Scrappy Bootstrappers Unite!

I have been amazed at the amount of people out there that are completely out of a job and using at a diving board instead of a pity party. I believe that now is the best time to learn to be an entrepreneur, because you have to smart. If you can claw your way through this you know that your business will be able to make it through almost anything. The people that started their businesses during the "fat" times are already gone.

-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire

Thanks to: Joshua Black of The Underdog Millionaire.

123. Cash Cow

Never have only one income stream. Being an Entrepreneur I rely solely on myself for income. I don't have a boss that cuts my hours or tells me that they have to lay me off due to the economy or budget cuts. I have three different ways to make income so if one of them is hit hard by the economy I still have two others to support me. A farmer needs more than a cow that gives chocolate milk. She may die or turn barren.
Keep your eye on the cash cow but don't forget about the chickens and pigs.

Thanks to: Mardena Crimaldi of Happy Healthy and Hot.

124. Offer value for free

Offer value in return for nothing. Yes, nothing. This approach takes a little time, but builds trust & familiarity. When you consider it, you’re far more likely to buy from someone whom you know & trust, and you’re likely to tell friends & family as well. Great relationship building, and it’s key to social media marketing. Also, keep in mind that blogs rank well with search engines, since content is updated more frequently, which in turn provides more exposure for your business.

Thanks to: Lee Romano Sequeira of Sparkle Plenty Designs.

125. Make Time for Marketing!

Keep your pipeline full by scheduling time each week to market your business. Make an appointment with yourself by blocking off time on your calendar.

Thanks to: Sean Horrigan of PR Guy.

126. Keep Marketing in Tough Times

While many businesses cut their marketing and PR budgets during tough times, I urged my clients to expand their activities. This way, they will stay top-of-mind -- And when customers are ready to spend, my clients will be that much farther ahead of the competition! (Many of my clients are already seeing the results of their efforts with increased site traffic and new sales.)

When times get tough, work even hard to get noticed by customers and the media! It will pay off in the long run!

Thanks to: Melanie Rembrandt of Rembrandt Communications.

127. Be a Possibility Thinker

To succeed in this economy, you must believe in yourself and your ability to add value to the lives of others. People are being more cautious in how they spend their money. Yes, they still buy and only when they are shown something of value to them.

These can be the best of times when we look for the possibilities as there are more possibilities for helping others to enrich their lives than ever before. Take time to discover the many possibilities and then take focused action.

Thanks to: Gary Gile of Tech-Age of Connecticut, LLC.

128. Hang Tough Baby

The biggest lesson...and there's more than one...about the recession is the fact that it shows people what they're made of. As entrepreneurs, we can either faint, blubber on and on, or hang tough.

Entrepreneurs are not weaklings. Entrepreneurs are not quitters. We see adversity as just another opportunity to overcome.

The biggest lesson therefore, is finding out how big your spirit is - what are you actually capable of? A lot more than you think!

Thanks to: Michelle Hill of Winning Proof.

129. Found My "Acres of Diamonds"

Russell Conwell's famous "Acres of Diamonds" speech told fascinating true stories about people who found success and vast riches that others had overlooked. The recession prompted me, a professional speaker, to start searching--when meetings and conventions almost disappeared. I shifted my focus, becoming the "Speech Coach for Champions." Now I train leaders to speak with "poise, power, and persuasion," so they will gain applause, agreement, and action. Acres of diamonds surround me daily.

Thanks to: Bill Lampton, Ph.D. of Championship Communication.

130. Never stop marketing

One of the biggest lessons that should come from the recession is something we PR types coach regardless of the economy: market and publicize your products and services in good times and bad.

Stay relevant in the minds of your target customers. When people begin to spend again, your products or services will be top-of-mind and you will be a "must call" because you never hid from or ignored them.

Thanks to: Gail Sideman of PUBLISIDE Personal Publicity.

131. How my RIF became my FIRe

The biggest lesson this recession has taught me is you are never too old or too poor to try something you have never done before. I made some great contacts at my local bank who hooked me up with an SBA loan, found a good web designer, and re-connected with some incredible vendors who offered good advice as well as set me up as a distributor. I combined my experience in selling flame resistant clothing with social responsibility to create my unique online business - Safety Gives Back.

Thanks to: Robin Pacey of Safety Gives Back.

132. It's Not THE Truth!

Allow me to share a story. There was a time during 'The Recession' when I thought: Goodness, this business is hard! My clients were paying later and later. Some were leaving...they could no longer afford my services. A few months on, I'm having the biggest revenue months ever! My business has changed. My clientele has changed. My stress-level has changed." Everything is just for a time. The Great Recession of 2008/9 was not the truth. The truth is: Change is the only way to survive in business!

Thanks to: Sandra Baptist of Successful Women's Institute.

133. Keep Your Burn Rate Down

All fresh young companies suffer from a lack of capital. So you need to grow your talent pool without increasing monthly expenditures. There are terrific intern programs at all universities and community colleges. Many students have to get summer internships to satisfy their major. Go online and post your wish list. You’ll be able to offer wonderful real-world experience; and you’ll get help just when you need it most. For unpaid internships, be sure to stay within fair labor guidelines.

Thanks to: Karen Howe of Mindbloom .

134. Giving leads to Receiving!

The Biggest lesson that I have learned from the recession is that Giving leads to receiving! Giving of yourself and helping others by supporting various charity events and silent auctions with donations of small jewelry pieces, like earrings, has lead to many other opportunities for exposure and sales. The Give, Give, Get philosophy still holds true!

Thanks to: LaNorma Huggins-Hopes of Signature Designs by LaNorma.

135. Be Thankful

Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude.
Focus. Focus. Focus.
Be a TPE - The only security is in working for yourself.

Thanks to: Meggin McIntosh of Emphasis on Excellence, Inc..

136. Social Media is Your New BF

While many businesses still need traditional media,there’s a strong case for doubling down in social media via blog sites. They may be easier to reach and actually create more traffic to your web site -- especially if you’ve done a good job of targeting the right bloggers for your demographic. Bringing on a part-time social media person to manage your Facebook and Twitter accounts in addition to doing outreach for reviews and articles is cost efficient and measureable.

Thanks to: Karen Howe of Mindbloom.

137. Forging Through the Rough

Dealing with uncertainty while trying to forge ahead in times of change is rough. It can be alleviated by focusing on the process instead of the end result. Start by investing in your employees. What can you do to help them do their very best? A little extra encouragement? or maybe a lengthened lunch break? Let us not forget to be focused on our mission. If our businesses are built upon our mission and we are focused on it we can maintain our drive and forge through these tough times.

Thanks to: Cynthia Cutright of C4 Creations.

138. A Trusted Confidant

With all the economists talking about the r-word thing you may be feeling very alone at times. My biggest lesson I have learned in this type of economy is to have a solid core team around you. The strength of your network is in direct proportion with your net worth. It is important to surround yourself with quality partners, colleagues, and mentors. In short you need a trusted confidant. The person that is your right-hand, that you can bounce ideas off of and that will get things done for you.

Thanks to: Bruce Clithero of Concierge Services of St Louis.

139. From Shovel to Backhoe

Cutting prices to retain market share in a down economy is like being trapped in a pit and asking for a backhoe so that you can dig faster. The way to stem the tide of declining sales is to raise your prices slightly. The additional revenues from the customers who really value what you provide will offset the revenues lost from those who don't.

Thanks to: Dale Furtwengler of Furtwengler & Associates, P.C..

140. Create brand loyalty

During this recession, consumers have been much more particular about where they spend their money, and put more time in the decision making process. They want their dollars to go farther, and they don’t necessarily look for cheaper—they look for lasting quality. By providing a superior product, you will stand apart from your lesser competition. I have focused my marketing efforts on educating consumers on the high quality of my shoes and what makes them different from the competition.

Thanks to: Sheena Edwards of Lizzie Lou Shoes.

141. Cut Costs and Went Green

To cut costs, we set a goal of implementing a totally paperless internal communication process resulting in eliminating 80% of the paper we used. We also saved ourselves and our customer’s money by going green and working smarter. This included using recycled paper for print runs, and a digital print process that reduced overall material and energy consumption for print runs. Nothing like a recession to motivate one to learn and try new things!

Thanks to: Keith Bax of Conquest Graphics.

142. What You Don't Know Will Hurt

I think recession has shown me not only what I do know but really highlighted a few key things I need to re-consider when strategizing how to build my client base in a touch economy and even more troubling retail /fashion industry.

By keep the same way you've done business the past 3 years in not the best way to grow and more importantly sustain your business when potential customers are wary about buying your services.

Thanks to: Donnella Tilery of donnella's closet.

143. Stay Focused and Build

When business is slow, use the time to build your business by forming strategic partnerships and entering markets or platforms that your business did not focus on yet.

Don't lose focus.

Interact with your current and past customers and form a stronger relationship with them by social networks.

Action is the antidote to fear. A recession is no reason to stop working on perfecting your business model.

Thanks to: Shai Atanelov of Cell Phone Accessories & Wireless.

144. Beware the brilliance

Karl von Clausewitz, Prussian military strategist, advised those facing struggles to "beware the brilliance of transient events."
The recession is a transient event. But, if we allow its brilliance to blind us, to make us act irrationally, to panic, then we lose.

Patience, perseverance, and faith will help us during the transient times as we await the inevitable brighter future.

Thanks to: Marlene Caroselli of Center for Professional Development.

145. Not Participating_Thank You

Best Practice make adjustments this will not last forever. Position your services let your clients know your fine and give them reasons to trust you in good and in challenging times.

Thanks to: Jerry Pollio of CMT Creative Marketing.

146. What goes down must come up!

This morning at a business meeting the speaker asked who in the room was in business in 1985. Reluctantly I raised my hand knowing I was admitting to my maturity. She then asked if we had survived after that recession. It brought back memories of starting a business during the then recession in the year of 1985. Of course I was a young inexperienced entrepreneur at the time and didn't know better. Did it stop me? Heck No! Sixteen years later I sold that successful business for a nice profit!

Thanks to: Cheri Ruskus of Business Victories/Victory Circles.

147. Hurting but dont want cure

My web site relies on independent contractors to update local content and sell ads. The amount of money they earn is up to them. Despite the recession, and that about 80% say they need money to support their family, most wont do the work to make the money. The recession must not be that bad???

Thanks to: Carl Forsell of Connections Planet.

148. $en$e of Humor

It makes dollars and sense (of humor) to keep your $en$e of humor... even and especially in the recession and its aftermath. You can use humor to tickle stress before it tackles you in tough times. The funny line and the bottom line can intersect if you take your job seriously... and yourself lightly. This will help you to move from "grim and bear it" to "grin and share it."

Thanks to: Joel Goodman of The HUMOR Project, Inc..

149. Hurting but dont want cure

Thanks to: Carl Forsell of Connections Planet.

150. 26mix: Your Story Unfolds

What were the first letters you learned? Chances are they were your name.
The biggest lesson I learned from the recession is that people will always engage in their own story. Every child's story begins with a name and I created a personalized alphabet book that is a fold out conversation. Low tech/high memories! Each name creates a story for someone who will not even know the word recession until it has long past.
So I am selling personal stories of hope one new name at a time.

Thanks to: Joane Gilbert of Drawn to Letters.

151. A deep crab bucket: leap daily

We're all in this together but we're not all going to get out at the same rate or the same way. The good news is, even people I thought "out of my league" as far as partners and resources have been friendly and helpful because they're in the bucket, too. In "The War of Art," Steven Pressfield writes, "The highest treason a crab can commit is to make a leap for the rim of the bucket." I leap daily. And I'm always looking for others who want to do the same. We'll reach the rim together.

Thanks to: Lisa Marie Rovito of Orange & Blossom.

152. Learn to Speak Chinese.

LEARN CHINESE: (Not the whole language - but enough to know that the symbol for "chaos" in Chinese is not one but two characters. The second in the sequence is "opportunity". When the rest of the world is going to the proverbial crapper there are enormous opportunities for plumbers, bathroom products and services that people need more of in uncertainty. Figure out what that is in your respective field or industry and a fortune awaits. Find the silver lining in the raincloud and GO FOR IT!

Thanks to: Stephenie Rodriguez of Mighty Media Group Pty Ltd.

153. LIFE is happening NOW

Get off of my big BUTs, LIFE is happening NOW, no need to wait for LIFE to “start”. Get the word out about my business as much as possible, get over myself, don’t let “me” hold me back. Be bold, think outside the box, use creativity, at times “wait”, other times “go for it”, don’t be concerned with what I think that people are “thinking”. I can’t make everyone happy, do what is best for the vision I have for my business.

Thanks to: Denise Ruiz of http://www.aihu.net/deniseruiz.

154. This is a JOURNEY....

You find out real quick who is tough enough to make it through the valley and all the way to the top. This goes for individual leaders, companies, industries and business of all kinds. A recession shows who is in it for the long haul and those that don't quit are the ones that will reap the benefits and rewards. Going through a recession is tough for everyone involved but it also is a good way to weed out those that are not serious about making it to the top! This is a Journey....

Thanks to: Cheryl Hill of Mia Bella Natural Candles and More!.

155. Recession lesson

I have learned that with the recession we are currently having, Customers now don't mind the quality of equipment they recieve as long as it is a cheap rate, The people in my Industry in Los Angeles have lowered the rates by almost 50 percent in order to get customers, their equipmnet is the oldest and dirtiest yet customers want to go the cheap route. Equipment that was rented at $105.00 5 years ago, people are not getting it for $50.00, what is wrong with this picture??

Thanks to: Ellie Madrigal of Eagle Portables Inc.

156. Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Take a rifle not a shotgun approach. While target marketing can always work, it would seem that for small businesses particularly in this economy, target marketing essential. Why target market? Because the consumer or business-owner needs to know that you know everything about them in particular and that your product or service is specifically tailored to help them. As a result you will become known as the go-to person for that service or product. Try it. I did. It really works.

Thanks to: Neil palache of The Wealth Creator Company 4 Women.

157. Lessons Learned & Not Learned

I have started a newspaper & web site for Kids- I have learned that you always need to be promoting yourself-

I am surprised to learn that there are so many business owners who don't know this.

Thanks to: Dean Paradise of America's Kid Times.

158. It's never about the money

It is your decision whether to take part in recession or not. Even in a recession there are always people on the first class flights, taking first class holidays and attracting abundance. The reason others don't is because they buy into the recession, they listen to the media and go into a state of fear and worry and when you do that you attract fear, worry and lack - more millionaires are born during a recesssion than any other time - If you take inspired action you can always succeed.

Thanks to: Carol Dodsley of Choose Changes.

159. Poor motivator

Simply put... recession equates to hard times, job loss, financial struggles. It was making me poor! What better motivator to finally move on an idea! I realized that I had a choice. I could accept the loss of income and wallow in self pity, or I could create my own destiny by getting off my rear end and finally doing what I had always dreamed of! It is a tough gig, becoming an entrepreneur. Financially it is still a struggle, but my self worth has increased. Do it! Create your own future!

Thanks to: Vicki Weatherill of Pockarooz.

160. Be willing to re-invent

A recession can be a good thing if you are willing to re-invent, change or move with the times. We cannot be stubborn refusing to change what we do. This recession brought me to micro-niche and it increased my business leaps and bounds...I was willing to revisit and redefine to meet the needs of today. Taking what I did and fitting it into today's needs was powerful...

Thanks to: Robin Hardy of Robin Hardy Christian Bus Conslt.

161. Create Profit Partnerships

It’s time to reach out and make new connections and build strong relationships. Today it is about creativity, not competition; you’ll go farther together when building synergistic partnerships with those who previously may have been viewed solely as competitors. Who in your industry, in your niche can you joint venture with? Who offers complementary product, programs, or services? Share your markets, reach together, get dual exposure for leveraging your brands. Leap frog to the top.

Thanks to: Melissa Galt of Melissa Galt, Inc..

162. Making Videos with Strangers

Early in the recession I was asked by a Fortune 500 company to be part of a relationship video series they were launching. The idea was great & I couldn't wait to reach their millions of website visitors. When they started layoffs, they canceled the series before it ever aired. I decided to create my own webseries. After awkward conversations asking strange bloggers to make videos, I have my own webseries that is growing tremendously all because the recession forced me to take action.

Thanks to: Tina Tobin of LuvemOrLeavem.com.

163. spend it

Clients of mine want quality and are willing to pay for it. Even during our tough economic times you may be making a mistake by assuming others are put off by a high price point. And, if you deliver the suburb service or product expected, they will love it and be back. ~ko

Thanks to: Kelly Ochis.

164. What biz school couldn't teach

In biz school, I learned about 4 "P's", SWOT's, marketing plans, etc. "The amount of time spent in school on a topic is inversely related to its use in the real world!" Well, I am learning perseverance. At some point we say, "To heck with it!", but nowadays, can you find a job? Like being at sea, aboard a ship in trouble, we have to save the ship! The lesson: keep trying new ideas like how to avoid or beat competitors, defer quick rewards, and learn what does & doesn't work. Guess I'm a TPE.

Thanks to: Wayne Baruch of The Artisans Group, LLC.

165. Everyone's An Entrepreneur!

The biggest lesson learned from recession is 'Everyone’s an entrepreneur’. Yes, even those who think they are an employee, are an entrepreneur with one client & when that client says “you’re fired”, you go out of business. So, remember to A. Invest in yourself: The best investment ever. Read more, learn new skills, network, & create a life plan; B. Build Relationships: A friend in need is a friend indeed & same goes for client & business relationships; & C. Have a Plan B: Enough said.

Thanks to: Devesh Dwivedi of Entrepreneur In Making.

166. Doing More With Less Money

This recession has taught me to first look for FREE to low-cost solutions for my small business. For example, instead of buying expensive commercial software, I look for potential open-source alternatives that can accomplish the same thing while stretching a dollar to save! This is a great way to stretch a dollar and keep expenses at a minimal.

Thanks to: Lisa Sims of Stretching Your Cash.

167. Recession....really!

What I learned from this recession(depression)is it gave me more inspiration and informed me that even in the worst of time, if you believe you've got something worthwhile to pursue, you pursue it with more determination and passion then you can imagine. You will need to be organized and financially prepared because growth may be as slow as the the economic turn around itself. So sustaining slow times will be important.Rent negotiation, premium site location, and prospects can be in your favor.

Thanks to: Gregg Mulgrew of Card-Logic Performance Marketing.

168. Roll with the flow!

It's all about change and being able to adapt your business practices to coincide with the "times". When cash flow is good and customers are flocking to your store, we tend not to think about what would happen if this all vanished.

The recession forced to me to make major changes in most every aspect of my business, and with fewer customers I started spending a lot of time building my business online. I had to learn very quickly where to concentrate my efforts in order to survive.

Thanks to: Kaye Snyder of Emaline Brook Specialties.

169. Harder, Longer, Faster

Now is the time to play to win. You need to invest more time, money and energy than ever before to succeed. You want to get as much exposure as humanly possible - and as a TPE that means working hard, long, and fast. Create a killer website. Drive traffic to it with free, valuable giveaways. Get local and regional newspaper coverage. Create videos to get your messages out. Do free webinars. Give it everything you got...cause now is the time to play for keeps.

Thanks to: Lawrence Polsky of PeopleNRG.

170. Marketing, plain and simple!

The most important thing that a business should constantly do is marketing! I have noticed an obvious increase in sales after increasing my marketing efforts. The coolest thing about marketing is that I got to use my imagination, meaning that I could easily advertise my company on different non-standard products. Social networking is key, we are constantly using Facebook to give status updates to our users. Just use your imagination, and you may see your marketing efforts increase your sales!

Thanks to: Brian Putt of Campus HotFIX.

171. Recession Survival 101

My biggest lesson learned from this recession is actually a Timeless Truth: Become a profit hub by helping clients/prospects make and save money. In addition to offering value, this means 1) put my needs aside and focus solely on who's in front of me; 2) be a strong referral partner and network for my clients; 3) admit when I'm not the best fit and help find a provider who meets the client's true need. Unselfishly caring about the clients’ success lays the foundation to a lasting relationship.

Thanks to: Beverly Floyd of The Corporate Vine.

172. Alma Maters Matter

I graduated from Emory University this past spring with a degree in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology and a ton of anxiety. It was quite possibly the worst time to enter the work force, and a much worse time to start a company with no money or business experience whatsoever. But I did. Lets just say things weren't going very well. Then, one night it hit me - tap into my alumni network. It took 3 days to get most of what I needed for FREE! As you build remember your Alma mater matters.

Thanks to: Christiannah Oyedeji of Knapsac Textbook Rental.

173. Taking the easy road

I learned from the recession that taking the easy road to riches just won't happen in a down economy and that you must be prepared to work 40-60 hours a week just to make your business work.

Thanks to: Marc Anderson of TalktoCanada.com.

174. THe only shelter is Home

The recession taught me : There's no place like home, especially when you under extreme pressure to secure what you thought can be secured, in the end, only your family support you in a bias approach : no matter win or lose in the fighting with economy, they standing on your side always.
So, adjust your priority now and allocate time to what you have now, invest in the most precious asset you hold today: Your family.

Thanks to: Roger Lee of csr Community International.

175. Tighten the belt.

Being raised in a small business family, I watched my father weather different recessionary storms for over 30 years. the biggest thing I learned from him was to tighten the belt during tough times. This has been like second nature to me when running my photography studio but now, I am even more careful when making the decision to hire, outsource or do it myself. While we may have to work harder for it, business is out there. It is nice to know that if we do hit a slow patch, we will be okay.

Thanks to: Sarah Petty of Sarah Petty Photography.

176. No more Lone Ranger

I’ve learned that I can’t and don’t want to go it alone anymore. I’ve joined a community of women who have my back and I have theirs. Everywhere they go they showcase me and I showcase them, thus making life far more richer and in harmony, far less hours of work, while having our common and individual purpose and mission realized.

Thanks to: Debra Smith of The Sensuality Sage.

177. Get Really Creative!

The wake up call of contracted money flow calls entrepreneurs to focus, plan strategically, acquire new skills, reinvent our business models, ourselves, our relationships, and prioritize -- not only money but, more importantly, our most precious personal resource: Time.

Thanks to: Aysha Griffin of GreenRoads Realty LLC.

178. No More Slogans and Gimmicks!

Every where we go we are bombarded with marketing messages, and your savvy consumers have learned to tune them out. Selling is no longer about gimmicks and slogans and interrupting people's day with unwanted sales pitches. Marketing in a recession is about educating your clients about your products and services. It is about building a trusting relationship. Once a client sees how you have invested your time and energy into the relationship, the rest comes easy!

Thanks to: Colleen Chapman of Copic Marker Scrapbooking.

179. Keep plugging away...

The most important thing for any entrepreneur to do is to keep plugging away at his or her business, despite the doom and gloom of a down economy. There is always at least some business to be had and steady steps will position your company to take advantage of the economy when it begins to pick up.

Thanks to: JR Rodrigues of Job Hunt Express.

180. 6 tips to advertise for free

I've learned that I've had to cut back on expenses. Advertising being the first one to go. How do you grow a business and reduce advertising?
1. Rely on search engine optimization
2. Grow and use your email lists
3. Word of mouth-ask for referral from happy customers
4. Run contests from donated products of others
5. Send out business cards with a coupon attached on their next order
6. Offer great customer service and follow up with your customers

Thanks to: Terra Williams of EasyScratchOffs.com.

181. Don't Give Up!

I launched KitchenKuffs® in November 2008, just as the recession hit. Expected to do well since holiday shopping was in full swing. Then reality struck. Others said it was the worst season ever. Not a promising way to start a new venture. See more @ http://tinyurl.com/yejnco4
Latest challenge — “wholesale price has to drop by half”. Not sure is achievable manufacturing domestically. I believe we need jobs here at home. Trying to unearth new opportunities. Don’t give up!

Thanks to: Barbara Doran of Kuffco, LLC.

182. Be Generous During Tough Times

Be generous – especially during a recession! Rather then ask “How are we going to save money?” ask “How are we going to save our customers money?” It is so important to stay relevant to your customers during a recession. We invited our customers in for a prix fix seafood menu called Seafood on a Shoestring for $25, then introduced a lunch menu for $18. Our customers found the value that they were looking for during tough times, and we stayed afloat along with them.

Thanks to: Leslie Barnes of London Lennie's Seafood Restaurant.

183. Business 101

In many cases, the rough economy has simply taught us how we should be doing business all the time. Watching overhead, reducing costs, negotiating with suppliers, and evaluating our staff. One area that I have found that most companies can continue to improve on, is Staff Training. You liked their experience, attitude or expertise and hired them for a reason. Make sure that you fuel their fire with some ongoing and continuous training. People want to learn, and they become stale without it.

Thanks to: Jhan Robert Dolphin of j robert Consulting.

184. Make Less Become More

One thing I have learned in the recession is that even though things are tight you can still do A LOT for less. I think we all were so focused on the big things that now we are reminded on focusing on the small things. It's just like the TPE book, what are you going to do with three sheets of toilet paper rather than a whole roll? Don't focus on having less, focus on making that less become more.

Thanks to: Ashley Bodi of BusinessBeware.Biz.

185. What recession?

There's always opportunities out there. But many entrepreneurs by into the "hard times" and think their efforts are useless. If you keep working hard in a recession you can achieve great success. When a recession is declared, what's different from the day before? Only your mindset changes. Stay positive and stay focused. Money doesn't go away, it just changes hands. Your job to find the new hands.

Thanks to: John Morgan of Brand Breakout.

186. Provide Superior Service

Lesson Learned: Always provide quality service to your customers because word-of-mouth marketing is POWERFUL. Respond to their inquiries and address their needs ASAP - don't delay. Create a connection with them and be genuine. It doesn't cost you anything but a little extra time and they will see your effort.

Thanks to: Linda Tong of KindNotes.

187. Special Needs En Vogue Again!

Ass-burgered, Autistic, ADHD... Let them tag us with whatever negativity they will! Those of us who've escaped full-time cubicles and cubbie holes are standing tall alongside our children in our misfitted home office shoes, taking risks and finally asking the questions that get us laughed at in the "class" room, and launched in the real world. Bringing our disruptive technology is the only way the majority will ever be moved from their depression mindedness to higher ground!

Thanks to: Adelaide Zindler of Home Office Mommy.

188. Now is the Right Time

I left my safe, steady, well-paying PR agency job in 2009, during the worst of the recession, to start Geben Communication. The most important lesson I learned? Don't wait for the "right time." Follow your intuition, do what's right for you and have some faith.

If I had waited for the "right time," I'd still be stuck at my old job. Instead, I've launched a profitable PR and social media consulting company that gives me the flexibility to work with clients I enjoy and believe in.

Thanks to: Heather Whaling of Geben Communication.

189. Viva la Difference!

One entrepreneurial lesson I have learned in this recession is that I need to always be thinking about how to differentiate myself from my competitors. What makes me interesting? What makes me different? What makes my services, products, and delivery uniquely of service to my ideal clients? When I answer those questions, I'm more attractive and visible to potential clients, allowing me to grow my current business and even expand into other service and product offerings, despite the recession!

Thanks to: Kendra Brodin of WomenLawyersOnline.com.

190. The Golden Rule Still Reigns

Provide your customers with honest value. No gimmicks, no tricks, no sleight of hand. If you give them more than they expect, if you deliver time and again, if you make an honest effort to be helpful and forthcoming, you will develop a solid reputation.

Over time this will bring you more business than you can handle. And you can build your business with a clear conscience and true customer loyalty in any economy.

Thanks to: Alison Moore Smith of Easy Blog Setup.

191. Give Everything BUT UP

With the recession upon us, the negativity has run rampant. From the media to those closest to us. I have had challenges in marketing, web site, and attracting new clients. My motto is give everything BUT up. This is my passion, empowering women to embrace themselves with courage and determination. Knowing how I have helped another to follow their dreams I will not run from a few challenges. I have implemented new ideas and continue to do so.

Thanks to: Tricia Dycka of Tricia Dycka.

192. “Do The Small Things Right The

“Do The Small Things Right The Big Things Take Care of Themselves.”

What is the most significant lesson I learned from my experiences as an Entrepreneur since 16 years of age? Doing The Right Thing is the keys to success and is the common denominator to all success.

First thing I learned no one is perfect – hard to admit – we all make mistakes. We may not always to the right thing but when we don’t we pay more then had we done it right. .
continued

Thanks to: Tommy Stern of DoTheRightThingAmerica.com, LLC.

193. Ramp up your marketing now!

Most entrepreneurs pull back on marketing during a recession because cash flow is tight. But that means there's more opportunity for you to get noticed and get clients because there's less competition. So cut costs elsewhere and do all the marketing you can, and you'll get more clients--and more bang for your marketing buck. Plus, as the recession ends, you'll be top of mind while your competition is forgotten.

Thanks to: Stacy Karacostas of The Unchained Entrepreneur.

194. Complacency could kill you!

What's the value of constantly spending the necessary time to network and source new leads? A cleaning company who had many clients during prosperous times had found out very quickly that they basically had no marketing plan, were not staying in touch with their current customers and not actively looking for new ones. Generally it is late and difficult to find new clients during recessionary times, however the companies that spent time generating new clients as well as their retention prosper.

Thanks to: Alan Ginsberg of The Entrepreneur's Source.

195. Stay Focused on What Works

Good solid business practices never go out of fashion. If you stay focused on building relationships and providing value, it doesn’t matter what the economy is doing.

Thanks to: Drew Gerber of PitchRate.

196. Eggs Need More Than 1 Basket!

The recession has shown us once again the importance of diversifying revenue streams. If we're dependent on just a handful of customers, we're in a world of hurt when they leave us for whatever reason. Sales can be diversified through multiple clients, service offerings or markets. The important thing is to make sure you can keep your business going. As www.carolroth.com so eloquently points out, if you can't make a living from your business, you don't really have one - you have a "jobby"!

Thanks to: Elene Cafasso of Enerpace, Inc. Executive Coaching.

197. 50% increase in revenue

Zoe b Organic became the US distributor for the Natursutten pacifier in the summer of 08. Natursutten is the only 100% natural rubber pacifier on the market. It's the ultimate "green" pacifier. With no advertising and mostly word of mouth, our sales have skyrocketed. Moms like the fact that they are chemical free and made in Europe, not China. Our revenue has grown 50% in 2009. Because we offer a product that people trust. If you are innovative, even during a recession, a business can grow.

Thanks to: Valerie Lecoeur of Zoë b Organic.

198. Stay true to your brand

Don't panic and do things to makes gains in the present that hurt your brand in the future…namely discounting (suicide for prestige brands in my opinion).

Thanks to: Lewis Farsedakis of blinc.

199. Get your ethic on !

The consequences and impacts precipitated by the global economic and financial crisis, has brought the world's attention to the need for socially innovative products, services and solutions to develop the 'ethics marketplace'. This entails the knowledge, know-how and expertise to pursue capitalism with a conscience and ethical chic. ETHICORE has therefore been established as a for profit social enterprise to drive the realisation of this new epoch in ethical business and entrepreneurship.

Thanks to: Abdul Waheed Patel of ETHICORE.

200. Invest in Human Capital

People are the most valuable resource we have so why don't we invest more in Human Capital? Trust is lacking. All things being equal, those with money are trusted before those without, but not for much longer. The Internet is equalizing trust across the board daily. Ten years of raw data cleaned, cross-checked and stored in relational databases make it impossible to lie without being caught. The economy can only improve as trust fosters growth and more people start working together.

Thanks to: Leah Dubyk of Production Chemical Mfg Inc.

201. Recession + Spending = PROFIT

If you're in business during a recession you might think it's a great time to save money and to cut back on spending... Well, you're wrong!
My Secret recession tip: Spend Money to save money!
Now that doesn't mean that you can just go out and start buying things. But, a recession is a time to invest in your business to cut cost and improve your product. For us, we invested a small $6000 into a software application that ended up saving $8500 per year. Investing in technology is the secret!

Thanks to: Scott Paxton of Rental Protection Agency.

202. Never surrender

The biggest lesson the recession has taught me is to never surrender!
when life hands you a challenge this is the best time to evaluate your offering and provide even more value to your clients. the recessions is really nothing more then a challenge that affects many business at once and also creates great opportunities for partnerships.

Thanks to: Rene Beaulieu of SECURaGLOBE Solutions Inc.

203. Make More While Spending Less

My most important business lesson from the recession is how to “make more while spending less.” For us, that meant finding ways to manage operational costs while enhancing customer service—two components seemingly at odds. We ruthlessly managed spend—from R&D investments to telecom costs. We made greater use of virtual technologies such as Yammer, IM and Skype to communicate internally. With this survival mindset, we’ve built a sustainable growth model that will guide us into recovery.

Thanks to: Simon Angove of GMT Corporation.

204. I can sleep at night!

When times are good life is good...whether you are an employee or an entrepreneur, everyone is doing well. During this recession, I've realized I sleep much better as an entrepreneur than an employee. It is a very powerless feeling being an employee during a recession...hoping the hammer doesn't fall on you with no real control of the situation. Times can be tough but as an entrepreneur, you are driving and no mater how bad things are, that is a great thing.

Thanks to: Nick Fill of flagrant-t.

205. Working with what you have

Most important thing to learn to balance at the same time
not to forget your personal life(family).I have reached out to my network of business and friends and back to negotiate more creatively by trading our knowledge and services to accomplish our goals and company needs rather than putting a dollar sign behind all that is needed to keep a business operating and growing.It has been interesting but attainable and very fulfilling to see how people really are willing to help if we only ask.

Thanks to: ANAMIRIA MADRIGAL of MCV Group Inc.

206. Innovate

As a result of the recession, I have learned to be as innovative and creative as possible. I try not to outsource anything that I could possibly do myself with some effort. There is always a way and with the internet - help is just a click away! You might be surprised how much money you could end up saving.

Thanks to: Michele-Anne Hamilton of Bagawiya Designs.

Compiled by Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

Pingback: Tweets that mention The Lessons Learned By Entrepreneurs From This Recession | Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Blog -- Topsy.com
http://homeofficemommymagazine.com/ Home Office Mommy

Hey Mike!

You nailed it again and you better believe I’m telling my friends!

Believe well!

Adelaide Zindler
Home Office Mommy

http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

@Adelaide – Yes this post is amazing. Actually it is total overload. I am reading it in bits and pieces.

http://www.howtomanageasmalllawfirm.com RJON ROBINS

This should be required reading at every business school. Every lender should require prospective borrowers to read this as a condition of funding!

http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

@Rjon – LOL. Perhaps they could start by reading The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur book. :>)

http://www.khamiltondesign.com Kirk-Anthony Hamilton

Great Stuff! … such an abundance of valid and applicable points of view… very good read …

http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

@Kirk – Yes there are some great stories. There are so darn many though, that I only have read about 25% of it so far… and I host this darn thing. TONs of amazing insights though.

http://www.selfcoachingcards.eu selfcoachingcards

Thanks for this, Mike!

I’m so proud of all us fearless people who started or grew our business during the recession just by paying attention and using it to get creative (and not listening to anyone who complains about a crisis out there!)

Reading this list will keep many people busy for a while (and I will spread it!)

Anja

http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

@Anja – Yep, it’s a long one, but a good one.

@Lalia – Love what you do and you will do what you love.

Pingback: To The Fearless Entrepreneurs and Entreprenettes | Virtual Anja
http://www.businessthatcares.blogspot.com Lalia Helmer

Right on! This is a really inspiring list. The takeaway from this is that these entrepreneurs love what they do and are inspired to continue to add value to the lives of others through their service or product.
http://Davidbeking.com David King

The biggest lesson I have learned from the recession is…

“Ummmmm… I’m sorry? Recession? What?” LOL!

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to differentiate “Your economy and the economy”

You are not the average person, You are better than that therefore you get better results.

Don’t listen to the media, for all we know this could be a BIG HUGE scam! Maybe the media is just lying to us about a recession so we go into more of a recession so the dollar crashes and they can create a new currency and have more control over it!! Who really knows!

Just focus on what you can do, and what you can do is only and always be inside of you… it’s nothing external.

Great post! Thanks for sharing!

David King

http://www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com Mike Michalowicz

@David – “Recession? What?” You have steel ones!!!! Thanks for the advice… I agree the media can make you believe the unbelievable (meaning the non-truths).

Olivia Gomes

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Olivia Gomes

A blog like yours should be earning much money from adsense.’~::-
Your blog has the same post as another author but i like your better.~:;”*
I recently noticed your website back i are generally looking through which on a daily basis. You’ve got a loads of information at this site so i actually like your look to the web a tad too. Maintain the best show results!
Brad Pitt Workout