Finding Strength in Community During Uncertain Times

Over the years, I have noticed a pattern among clients and communities I work with. In moments of serious economic stress, when headlines are filled with uncertainty and families are stretched thin, many people rediscover two powerful opportunities: entrepreneurship and a form of communal living. This is not just anecdotal. Research consistently shows that during recessions and times of financial strain, Americans often pivot to self-employment while also leaning more deeply into collective forms of support.

Historically, entrepreneurship tends to rise in times of crisis. During the Great Recession of 2008, applications for new businesses increased, especially in sectors where individuals could turn skills into income with low startup costs. We are seeing a similar trend now. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that applications for new businesses surged in 2020 and have remained high, particularly in online services and small-scale retail. When traditional pathways feel closed, people create their own.

Entrepreneurship is only part of the story. Communities also shift toward shared living and mutual support in times of stress. By “communal living,” I mean more than just households sharing a roof. It includes carpooling, childcare exchanges, community gardens, cooperative grocery buying, and skill-sharing networks. Studies show that when financial stress rises, households are more likely to pool resources and form informal cooperatives to reduce burdens. These practices not only help families weather economic storms but also build stronger social ties that outlast the downturn.

Three Tips for Considering the Entrepreneurial Route

1. Start with what you know: Build on existing skills, networks, and passions.

2. Keep costs low: Many successful ventures begin as side businesses with minimal startup expenses.

3. Test before you leap: Pilot your idea on a small scale before committing fully.

Three Tips for Building Community Support

1. Look for shared burdens: Childcare, food, transportation—these are ripe areas for cooperation.

2. Start small and build trust: Strong communities grow from consistent, small acts of sharing.

3. Leverage local networks: Churches, neighborhood groups, and online platforms offer infrastructure to connect.

In times of financial strain, the instinct to go it alone can feel overwhelming. Yet history and current research show us that survival and even growth come from two strategies. First, turning inward to creativity and resourcefulness through entrepreneurship. Second, turning outward to one another, building networks of care and cooperation. Economic uncertainty will always bring challenges, but it also creates opportunities for reinvention and deeper connection.

If you are considering entrepreneurship as a pathway forward and want guidance for your next steps, I invite you to connect with me through my coaching services. Together, we can explore how to turn this moment of uncertainty into an opportunity for growth.

Sources

• Fairlie, R. W. (2013). Entrepreneurship, Economic Conditions, and the Great Recession. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, 22(2), 207–231.

• U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Business Formation Statistics.

• Stack, C. (1974). All Our Kin: Strategies for Survival in a Black Community. Basic Books.

• Nelson, M. K. (2013). Working-class mothers and the community: Networks of support in times of economic strain. Journal of Family Issues, 34(2), 184–207.