Business and Finance

What do CNN, FedEx and Southwest Airlines have in common?

They were all created in a recession or depression.

Along with other powerhouses like Disney and Microsoft (click here for more examples of companies created in a recession), they all got strong in the most difficult economic times, in what we call the season of winter. Instead of reacting in fear they saw an incredible opportunity when everyone else was scared and pulling back.

It’s no secret that we are facing some tough economic challenges today-unemployment at 10.6%, home foreclosures at unprecedented rates, and an economy slow to fully recover. But the question is will you waver in the face of challenge, or be one of the few that steps us despite the environment and capitalizes on the opportunities available to you?

Joseph Kennedy was worth $4 million in 1929 and in 1935, just six years later, he was worth $180 million. He made it all on the stock market going down. According to Time Magazine, Kennedy survived the crash “because he possessed a passion for facts, a complete lack of sentiment and a marvelous sense of timing.”

Do you have what it takes to thrive, and not just survive, in any economic environment?

Every one of us faces these challenges throughout our lives. We all have experienced the winters of our life where it seems so dark and gloomy and it feels like nothing will ever change. But we also know that what always follows the winter is the spring and a new opportunity where we can grow our businesses like never before.

Are you going to be resourceful enough to be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities?