“Been There, Built Through That” — Recession Strategy with a Side of Real Talk

Let me start with some real talk—I know the feeling. The stress. The uncertainty. The late-night Google rabbit holes searching “how to survive a downturn as a small business owner.”

When COVID hit, I wasn’t just watching the news—I was owning and operating multiple retail stores. And just to sprinkle a little irony on top? The official start of the pandemic was literally my birthday. March 13th. Happy Birthday to me, right?

Not only was it my birthday—I was hosting the grand opening of one of my stores. Not to mention all the new stores that got delayed. But seriously—navigating uncertainty is not new to me. I’ve lived it, led through it, and most importantly, grown through it.

And here’s the truth: Retail isn’t recession-proof. But it can be recession-sustainable. There’s a difference—and it’s an important one.

Recession-proof implies you won’t feel the impact. But sustainability? That means you're built to adapt, adjust, and still move forward. That’s where growth really lives—not in avoiding the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain.

Here’s what I’ve learned from the trenches (and what we help our clients do at Vivid Strategies):

• Double down on what’s working. You don’t have to do everything, but you do have to know what’s actually driving revenue—and trim the rest.

• Lean into customer behavior. During economic shifts, consumer habits change. Those who pay attention, pivot faster, and meet new needs head-on? They win.

• Cash flow is king—but creativity is queen. Inventory strategy, supplier negotiations, pop-up activations, loyalty programs—there are smart ways to keep dollars moving without burning out your margins.

• Don’t stop marketing—just get smarter about it. Visibility matters more when wallets tighten. Messaging with empathy, authenticity, and value is your recession-growth trifecta.

Bottom line? Recessions reshape priorities.

The question isn’t “Will people stop spending?”

It’s “Are you giving them a reason to spend with you?”

If you’re feeling the pressure right now, you’re not alone. But there are ways to grow with strategy, not stress. Retail may not be immune—but it can absolutely be ready.

At Vivid Strategies, we don’t just help you stay open—we help you stay strategically positioned to grow, even when the forecast is shaky.

More to come in this series.

Until then—Remember: Recession-sustainable > Recession-proof. Always.

Want to learn how you can strategize and become recession-sustainable? Book a call to start your journey towards growth!