Is now the right time to start a business?

gujhik · Jun 18, 2026

This is very interesting topic of debate because convention suggests it would be crazy to start a business in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in living history. However….

Is there a case to suggest that competitors would be so weak, racked with debt and struggling to survive that a new, nimble and cash rich company could steamroller all of their competitors aside? I would be interested to hear your views on this subject because while my heart says no, my head says there may be an interesting opportunity.

Mark T Jones · Jun 18, 2026

You may not have lived very long!

The banking crash was 18 years ago.

The early 90s was a dreadful time and (in my living but not financially aware life) the '70s were dreadful.

In answer to your question though, I'll quote the FD of a big motor group 'recessions are for people with no imagination '

There are always opportunities, new markets and different angles. In many ways a start up has the advantage in grabbing them more quickly.

As ever, its all about how you approach it

fisicx · Jun 18, 2026

Also depends on the business. There are loads of opportunities wherever you look. The ones where you sit behind a computer screen all day less so.

WaveJumper · Jun 18, 2026

I going to echo a quote made above as I use it all the time 'recessions are for people with no imagination '
There are always opportunities for those who really seek them out. Those sitting on the sidelines for ever procrastinating, well thats a completely different story ............. as they never seem to get anything off the ground

Is @fisicx actually admitting he's been taken over by AI

On another note I have freed up at least an hour an half of my time by employing a robot to cut my grass who would ever have thought, its the best thing Ive bought in a long time. The world is an ever changing place you need to get with the grove

fisicx · Jun 18, 2026

I’ve been doing Tai Chi for over 20 years and instructing for about 15 years. It’s always been a bit of a hobby but with minimal marketing it’s now earning me a bit of cash. If I put in a bit more effort it could earn even more.

So yes @gujhik - now is the right time to start a business. You just need to find your niche.

Ozzy · Jun 18, 2026

Do your research into some of the biggest companies in the world, and you'll find most of them were started in the middle of a recession such as Uber, AirBNB, WhatsApp, Square, GroupOn for some recent ones - then some older ones such as Microsoft, FedEx, Hewlett Packard for some older ones.

Some would say a recession or downturn is the best time to start a business, because if you can survive when times are hard you'll absolutely smash it during peak times.

Paul Kelly ICHYB · Jun 18, 2026

Now is always the best time to start a business.

The question is whether it is the best time to start your specific business.

If you have an idea, plan, dream etc, JFDI.

If it is dream to run a business but you have no idea on what you want to do, no time will be good for you!

Chris Ashdown · Jun 18, 2026

That's where the better business plan has a far better chance of success, but in reality they should be about your research and planning. When you start a business for the first time you can soon be smothered by the calls to learn what's suddenly required by the company, including Accounts, Marketing, Finding Customers, employing staff payroll, Shareholders pitfalls and a lot more, I suggest by a Idiots guide to running a business as your first action before thinking of running a business and understand the basic requirements. Then your plan starts to make sense. alternatively you can go to the pub and borrow a old fag packet and write your plan on it

JEREMY HAWKE · Jun 18, 2026

I dont see what difference it makes
If you start up in an economic boom you will eventually hit much tougher times and your new firm would not be prepared for such fiscal challenges
So it makes no odds .If you trade long term your going to hit good times and bad ones

Tim_Wilkinson · Jun 26, 2026

There are always reasons not to start a business. As most on this forum are no doubt aware, running a business is always about survival - Even the most outwardly successful businesses regularly face existential crises. If anything, starting and being successful in tough conditions makes for a more resilient business that will reap greater rewards in the good times.

HFE Signs · Jun 26, 2026

The right time to start a business is dependent on you and the opportunity you've spotted. If you wait for what seems to be the right time, you'll find yourself waiting forever. Do you research, be 100% honest with yourself and make the decision based upon real factors and not just hope. Best of luck

cjd · Jun 26, 2026

We've always done well in a recession - people start looking for value.

Funny thing about the (correct) advice to build your business model, cash flow, sales forecasts, capital requirement etc before you jump. I'm not sure many really successful businesses do that. I suspect most place a bet, roll the dice and then try to manipulate the game while in progress.

I really did do my search and analysis and having spent 20 years in the industry doing just that, I really knew my stuff. I proved to myself that what we were about to do could not possibly work, then did it anyway.

Of course, we only hear of the successes ...

Hiru Izumi · Jun 27, 2026

I had the same question a couple of months back until I came across that article about 57% of Fortune 500 companies starting during recessions. It really gave me a boost to start something myself! In my view, as long as you have a clear idea of what you are doing, there is no wrong or right time.

HFE Signs · Jun 28, 2026

One of the biggest mistakes in business is assuming everyone wins or loses based on the economy.

The reality is that every market creates both winners and losers.

When consumer spending tightens, discount retailers often thrive. When businesses cut costs, automation and efficiency providers see increased demand. During uncertainty, companies that solve urgent problems or adapt quickly can grow while others struggle.

The economy sets the backdrop, but strategy determines who takes advantage of the opportunities it creates.

The businesses that ask, "How can we help customers navigate today's challenges?" are often the ones that emerge stronger.

Economic conditions don't create success—they reveal which businesses are best positioned to respond.

louis292 · Jun 30, 2026

gujhik said:
This is very interesting topic of debate because convention suggests it would be crazy to start a business in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in living history. However….

Is there a case to suggest that competitors would be so weak, racked with debt and struggling to survive that a new, nimble and cash rich company could steamroller all of their competitors aside? I would be interested to hear your views on this subject because while my heart says no, my head says there may be an interesting opportunity.

Starting a business during an economic downturn is a massive risk, but history shows that many successful companies were built during tough times. The challenge is that while some competitors might be struggling, they might also be cutting prices aggressively to survive, which makes entering the market quite difficult.

Paul Norman · Jul 3, 2026

The choice will, of course, depend on the business idea.

However, there are always opportunities for the right business idea, set up in the right way, and run well.

I would not regard the current economy as a reason to wait if the idea is sound. In actual fact, over 40 years in business, the big hits and challenges mostly have come from other sources than the economy.

It is not, of course, irrelevant, though. Knowing how sensitive your business is to economy matters is useful.

pentel · Jul 3, 2026

If your business needs to buy plant and equipment and you are looking used then now would be a good time to find some bargains.

louis292 · Tuesday at 9:46 AM

gujhik said:
This is very interesting topic of debate because convention suggests it would be crazy to start a business in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in living history. However….

Is there a case to suggest that competitors would be so weak, racked with debt and struggling to survive that a new, nimble and cash rich company could steamroller all of their competitors aside? I would be interested to hear your views on this subject because while my heart says no, my head says there may be an interesting opportunity.

It is a compelling debate. While conventional wisdom says it is risky, a lean, cash-rich company might find an opportunity to outperform competitors who are currently struggling.

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Is now the right time to start a business?

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