In my last article on the 5 essentials to starting a business, I mentioned that there were many opportunities in the recession by starting your own business. If you’re unlucky (or lucky) enough to be made redundant during this unique time in history, don’t lose heart. I’ve compiled 5 massive brands that started their companies in the middle of a recession and thrived!

1) Wikipedia Foundation Inc - Born in 2001 during the recent post 9/11 recession. Now features2.5 Millionplus articles.

2) Hyatt - First opened at LA’s International Airport during the Eisenhower recession in 1957 - 1958. Now operates more than 365 hotels in 25 countries.

3) Burger King began in Miami in 1954 and grew during another recession in 1957 by introducing it’s signature Whopper burger. Now operates (and causes operations) in more than 65 countries.

4) CNN began in 1980 as a little known station called The Cable Network News. Found fame as the first 24 hour all news channel. Today, 1.5 Billion people across the globe watch it.

5) Microsoft - Created in 1975 by university drop out, Bill Gates, who started with basic computing languages before finding success with MS-DOS (remember that one?). Now estimated to earn more than $60 Billion year.

So, if you are looking down the barrel of uncertainty, just remember that if you put your mind to it, even in a recession, you can prosper, just as those mentioned above.

PD