This article is from USA News.

“It’s a dumb idea to make light of a recession when the US is smack in the middle of one. Phil Gramm, a former U.S. senator and John McCain presidential adviser, got in big trouble last summer when he deemed the U.S. “a nation of whiners” because of our economic complaints. More recently, Bishop Richard Chartres in Great Britain faced anger when he said that workers who lose their jobs may be relieved to escape from a busy professional life. While it’s important not to ignore reality, for businesspeople — or people hoping to start a business — wallowing in despair is just as unproductive as minimizing the pain. Confidence among U.S. small-business owners is low and falling like a brick. The February 2009 Small Business Economic Trends survey from the National Federation of Independent Business found optimism to be at the second-lowest reading in the survey’s 35-year history. Are there any facts about the recession that might reverse that pessimism? Here are five rays of sunshine that give some hint that the recession economy might not be as gloomy as many might think.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Surviving a Recession.

“Increased income is critical to surviving a recession. Preferably, this new found income should not come from your current job. It should come from alternate sources like a second job, contract work, new small business, or even an online business. If you are someone that has cut their expenditures to the bone but still do not make enough money to save to prepare for a recession or make the critical decisions necessary to survive a recession, then for all intent and purposes preparing for a recession, to you, means increasing your income.

By the same token, if you are someone that has enough income to make those critical decisions but your job is in jeopardy then surviving a recession means increasing your income as well. Surviving financially during hard economic times like recessions means maintaining or increasing your income. You want to avoid taping into reserves like retirement accounts and your children’s college funds.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Surviving a Recession.

“Creating multiple small streams of income is probably one of the best ways to prepare for a recession. It is not just enough to increase you income as a means of surviving a recession. If you loose that single source of income the recession will affect you just the same. By, increasing your income through multiple small streams of income your are protecting that new income by spreading it over multiple sources. This means that if one stream of income dries up it will not affect your strategy for surviving a recession as much as if you had only a single source of income.” Read rest of article.

This article is from The Digerati Life.

” As an investor who has lived through a couple of recessions (wow, that dates me!) and economic cycles, and who continues to further my financial learning, I found that there are things we can do to help us ride through a tough market cycle. Here, I’ve collected some tips, facts and reminders that I found to be valuable and assuring during times like these…” Read rest of article.

This article is from Articles24.com

“There is a lot that needs to be considered when trying to figure out where to start or what to in the process of starting your own business. Consulting will get you places but beware of the pseudo-consultants who act like they have been helping people establish their business by mere rhetoric. Banks for example have employed people who assist you in starting a business and advise you on the measures to take and what to avoid and keep in mind.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Entrepreneur.

Regardless of what people around you (including the media) may say, right now is the best time to get into business Just go back and look at the economic slowdowns throughout history. Most recessions in the post-World War II era last an average of 10 months, followed by growth cycles that last an average of 50 months.

What this means for the startup is there’s no better time than right now to get going and start pursuing your business dreams–in anticipation of the next period of growth.

So with a nod to David Letterman, here are my top 10 reasons you should start your business now–despite the current downturn:

Read rest of article.

This article is from Milearn Online Tutorials.

“Case studies in surviving and thriving in recessionary times- Part 1

Statistics are abound in detailing the effectiveness and necessity of having a healthy economic foundation in which to attract individuals into launching small business start-ups. A recent and timely study by the Kauffman Foundation-funded U.S. Census Bureau illustrates that job growth is essential for economies to rebound. The study indicates that business start-ups have historically been a driving force in job creation and sustaining economic activity even during times of downturn.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Newsday.com

“A friend lost his job recently at age 64. He had been a fundraiser for a major national charitable organization that has seen its donor base hammered by recession and now is cutting its head count. My friend doesn’t want to retire – but at the same time he understands that the odds aren’t great that he’ll find a new job at his age, and with his level of seniority and pay.

Instead, he’s thinking of going the entrepreneurial route — and he’s hardly alone. The ranks of older entrepreneurs have been growing quickly in recent years, and even more boomers will take the plunge in 2009. Some will be pursuing long-held start-up dreams, and others will start businesses out of necessity as the recession deepens and layoffs accelerate.” Read rest of article.

This article is from Mom’s in Business.

“The daily news of doom and gloom about the current recession and the financial challenges facing the world might convince you that now is not the best of times for a mom to start a business. But despite the hard times, many moms are doing just that.

After all, if you have been let go or can’t find a job in the current economy, what have you really got to lose by starting your own business now? Why not chase your own dreams, rather than be dependent on another employer? Why not just take control of the helm yourself?” Read rest of article.