Companies That Flourished In A Recession

Find inspiration in others success. Research and read more on the companies that flourished in the wake of uncertainty.

The pandemic is forcing our hand. The businesses around us are crumbling. The world as we know it looks like it will never be the same. This last statement may not be true, but the first two are. Can you see the changes around you? Not only in our own routines, but how about beyond our homes? Have you noticed how your workplace changed or how your local grocery store has changed the way we shop?

As a business owner, these are hard times. Its do or die for some of us out there and to see some staple and iconic businesses that have become a casualty of this pandemic is disheartening. But we have to persevere. We have to overcome this obstacle and be creative. There are inspiring stores all around us in these unprecedented times.

But there is nothing like a creative mind to overcome these obstacles.

If we take a look at past histories, there are some businesses that were born out of necessity, either during a war or a recession. Did you know that General Motors Company started making automobiles in the middle of a recession? Through wars, recessions and the Great depressions, here are some companies that either started or adapted through difficult times throughout the beginning to mid-20th centuries.

IBM (1911) – The Panic of 1910-1911

Revlon (1932) – The Great Depression 1929-1933

HP (1939) – After the recession of 1937-38 and before WWII

Burger King (1953) – Recession of 1953

Sports Illustrated (1954) – At the end of the Recession of 1953

Hyatt Hotels (1957) – Recession of 1958

Trade Joe’s (1958) - Recession of 1958

FedEx (1971) – Between recession of 1969-70 and 1973-75

Microsoft (1975) – Recession of 1973-75

Even as the names above are household names, lets fast-forward to the 21st century and look at some successful entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity even through tough times and took a risk which, overtime, has paid off exponentially.

Companies that were founded or flourished in the DotCom Recessions and the Great Recession of 2007-2009

Malechimp (2001)

Apple (1975) – It reinvented itself under the vision of Steve Jobs. 2001 was the start of what Apple is now.

Airbnb (2008)

Groupon (2008)

WhatsApp (2009)

Venmo (2009)

Uber (2009)

Warby Parker (2010)

Instagram (2010)

These are all larger than life companies now, but at one point, it was someone who took that leap of faith and took that chance. Instagram was sold to Facebook for $1 billion. Uber is valued at over $80 billion!

Maybe you don’t start the next Uber or Instagram, but that shouldn’t stop us from finding that niche that people don’t even know they need yet. Humans are a brilliant and interesting minded creature. You are part of that clan. Don’t give up on that idea you have, don’t let someone talk you out of it! Make a plan and liberate yourself.

Have an idea? Let BaJen Inc help you visualize it. With our vast international resources, we can be there to assist your idea or business take that next big step. You don’t need to spend huge amounts of money on Bay St consultants to realize your dreams. BaJen Inc is a source that can do to your business that a Bay St firm can do for multimillion-dollar corporations.

Contact us for a free consulting.