Clark Howard's Tips

July 16, 2008

This is an extraordinary time for entrepreneurs. There's no better time to start a business than during a recession. Think about it: There's a surplus of vacant office, retail and commercial space that can be had for below-market value. Ditto for high-quality labor.

Clark started his business in the midst of the 1980s recession. The reality is that you always lose money with a startup. But if your overhead is lower to begin with, then as the economy recovers you're poised for faster growth than you might have been otherwise.

The New York Times recently ran a story about people who wind up going the entrepreneur route after they've retired. Economists call this the "micro-businesses" trend. These are people who may have had a beloved hobby, but they never really got to pursue it during their working life.

It might also be a good time to try out a micro-business if you've lost your job. However, what was fun as a hobby does not always prove fun as a job. But Clark's longstanding belief is do what you love first -- and then figure out how to monetize it later.

Consumer advice courtesy of