Challenging economic times can serve as a catalyst for the entrepreneurial spirit and lead to the creation of much-needed new jobs: 69% more unemployed US workers started a business in 2009 than they did a year earlier, according to a report from TrendsSpotting.
Over one-half of the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list, and just under one-half of those on the 2008 Inc 500 list, were founded during a recession or bear market, TrendsSpotting points out.

Still, one-half (50%) of innovation-driven countries, including the US, registered declines in the numbers of new business startups in 2009, according to the report.
Below, other findings from TrendsSpotting’s the New Entrepreneur 2010 & Beyond, compiled from various research sources for Grasshopper.com.
The drive to open a new business comes from within: Nearly two-thirds (66%) of entrepreneurs say they were inspired to start a business by innate desire, not by education or training.
People most likely to be involved in entrepreneurial activities are adults age 55-64, while younger adults (age 20-24) are the least likely to be involved in such activities. Meanwhile, 39 is the average age of US-born technology entrepreneurs at the time they started their companies.
Home-based Businesses
Home-based businesses have become a mainstay of the US economy:
50% of all US businesses are based out of the home.
13 million people are employed by home businesses.
6.6 million home-based businesses contribute at least 50% of their total household income.
8% of home-based businesses have revenues of $500,000+, and 35% have revenues of $125,000+.
Looking for great digital marketing data? MarketingProfs reviewed more than 200 research sources and selected 64 of the best to create the Digital Marketing Factbook a 144-page compilation of data and 110 charts, covering email marketing, search engine marketing, and social media. Also check out The State of Social Media Marketing, a 240-page original research report from MarketingProfs.
Overall, most entrepreneurs report weak business performance as a result of the economic downturn:
66% of entrepreneurs say sales and business profitability were down in 2009.
8% say they added employees in 2009.
71% say they don’t expect to add any new jobs in 2010.
61% say the economy is on the wrong track.
50% say it was more difficult to start a business in 2009 than it was in 2008.
In the future, many entrepreneurs will rely on social media for new business opportunities:
41% of entrepreneurs say Twitter delivers great value to their companies.
84% expect their use of Twitter to grow over the next six months.
25% of entrepreneurs say they will commit more resources to social media.
About the data: Findings from the New Entrepreneur 2010 & Beyond were compiled by TrendsSpotting on behalf of Grasshopper.com from combined sources, including the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation, Emergent Research, GEM’s Global Monitor 2009 Entrepreneurship Survey, MarketingProfs, and Ad-ology Research.
Recent Know-How
Also, we recommend to read the next reviews- Tips for Comparing Your Site to Competitors: Do You Stand Out? tweetmeme_style = 'normal'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.marketingprofs.com/short-articles/1881/tips-
- Most Multitask While on Facebook tweetmeme_style = 'normal'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2010/3747/most-mul
- Boost Customer Service With a Little Digital Magic tweetmeme_style = 'normal'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.marketingprofs.com/short-articles/1876/boost
- ‘I’m Sorry’: Three Ways to Say It to Customers tweetmeme_style = 'normal'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.marketingprofs.com/short-articles/1921/im-so
- YouTube Video Viewing Hits All-Time High in May tweetmeme_style = 'normal'; tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2010/3743/youtube-
Related to: Customer Behavior
Related to: Customer Behavior
Related to: Customer Behavior
Related to: Customer Behavior
Related to: Customer Behavior
Tags: Customer Behavior, Entrepreneurship During the Recession