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

By Thomas Edwards, Jr.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Luis Alvarez | Getty Images

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

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

Take advantage of forced conditions