How can you recession-proof your business?

This is a common question among business owners who are concerned about how well they will fare in an unpredictable economy.

Whether or not we’re officially in a recession, many companies are feeling the pressure—rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and ongoing market uncertainty. While no business is completely immune to downturns, there are practical strategies you can adopt to strengthen your resilience.

But what is a recession-proof company?

A recession-proof company is a business that can maintain stable revenue and demand even during economic downturns. These ventures typically offer products or services that consumers continue to need regardless of financial conditions.

In this guide, we’ll explore key ways to make your business more recession-proof and help you navigate today’s challenges with confidence.

Are We in a Recession?

The term “recession” often sparks panic, but its technical definition is more specific. A recession typically refers to two consecutive quarters of negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

As of 2025, many economies have shown signs of slowing down, like higher inflation, cautious consumer spending, and volatile markets. However, most experts agree we are not currently in a formal recession.

Key indicators, such as GDP growth, employment rates, and consumer demand, remain relatively stable in the U.S. and many parts of the world. Still, uncertainty looms due to persistent global conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and high borrowing costs.

Even if we’re not in a recession by definition, businesses are feeling the squeeze. That’s why preparing now and building a recession-proof business is crucial to staying strong through future economic shifts.

Will There Be a Recession?

Predicting a recession is tricky, and even seasoned economists debate its timing. While the economy may not be in a technical recession today, many experts warn that a downturn could still happen in the near future. High inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and global instability keep businesses on edge.

That’s why building a recession-proof business now is a smart move. Some industries can weather economic storms better than others. What business does well in a recession, and what sells best in a recession? If we look back at history, the ventures that thrived in the 2008 recession included:

• Discount retailers
• Repair services
• Healthcare
• Essential goods providers

These businesses focused on solving everyday problems and offering cost-effective solutions, something customers prioritize when money is tight.

On the flip side, the worst businesses to start during a recession are often those that rely on: 

• Luxury spending
• Large capital investments
• Non-essential services (high-end travel, event planning, niche hobby stores, etc.)

These ventures typically struggle when consumers cut back on discretionary spending.

Even if the next recession doesn’t arrive tomorrow, building flexibility and resilience today will help you prepare for whatever comes next.

5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business

If you’re a business owner concerned about the economy, these 5 tips can help.

1. Find Low-Cost Solutions

Survive a recession by saving money. Brilliant, right? But this isn’t just about cutting temporary costs to weather the storm. To truly recession proof your business, you need to set up for the future.

Some businesses choose layoffs and department closures when times are tough, but this shouldn’t be your first resort. For starters, think about scaling back your operating costs. Consider migrating to cloud storage, or finding cheaper software alternatives.

For example, many businesses rely on freelancers to supplement their creative team, which can start to add up when you need a lot of designs.

You might find that you save money by switching to a subscription-based graphic design service like Penji. Check out our review to see why we recommend it. You can also sign up with our special 35% off promo code — PREP35.

2. Put People First

In a recession, you may have to scale down your business operations, and that can mean letting people go. But if you intend to survive the recession, mass layoffs may do you more harm than good.

A business is made up of people, and each worker plays a role in developing your brand’s unique personality. Layoffs can sour long-term relationships, but they can also change who your company is on a fundamental level.

In a recession, some downsizing might be inevitable. But to recession proof your business, aim for transparency. Talk to employees about your difficult decisions, let them know where you’re cutting costs and what prospects may look like down the road.

3. Rethink Your Architecture

Every application has an architecture. If you produce tech, you can recession-proof your business by rethinking how you deliver it.

For example, you may consider a microservices architecture, which is sometimes less expensive than a singular (“monolithic”) setup. This considers each element of your service as its own mini-service.

For instance, an ecommerce site might use different services for accessing a user’s account, their shopping cart, and processing their payment. The user still sees one website, but under the hood, they’re accessing different services.

4. Demonstrate Your Value

Chances are, you’ve already given a lot of thought to what, exactly, your business offers. It should be at the core of all your marketing materials, your whole brand strategy.

But to recession-proof your business, you’ll need to double down. It’s not just, “What can we do for you?” It’s, “Why do you need us?”

Some of the best ways to demonstrate your business’ value include:

• Money saved
• Life improved
• Everyday problems solved
• What sets you apart from competitors

5. Be Flexible

On the one hand, you want to hold onto your business fundamentals to survive a recession. Your people, your values, your product. But when something needs to change, you can’t afford to be too precious about your current processes.

Be willing to make changes, but make informed ones. Test out new messaging, new products, new pricing models. If your ads are losing ROI, it might just be a sign of the times, but it’s worth looking into different strategies that could give you a boost.

You might think that in order to recession-proof your business, you need to avoid showing signs of weakness. The fact is, the most stubborn businesses are often the first to go.

Markets change a lot during a recession. When you come out the other side, you want to be ready to meet whatever new challenges come your way.

The Lowdown

Learning how to recession-proof your business isn’t about avoiding risk but creating stability in an unstable economy. 

While you can’t control the economy, you can control how you prepare. Focus on cutting unnecessary costs without sacrificing your team, demonstrate clear value to your customers, and stay flexible with your strategies.

Businesses that survived the 2008 recession didn’t just hold on; they evolved. The best way forward? Start building resilience now so your business can thrive, no matter what the market throws your way.

McKinsey & Company reveals that 73 percent of bank transactions worldwide now take place online, such as in digital banks and payment systems. The increasing demand of customers for more flexible banking options is attributed to the rise in online banking channels. People prefer online banks because they offer simple tools and resources to manage their money. With this trend, online banking is here to stay. 

Best Online Banks: A Quick Guide

Image Source: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels 

An online bank should cater to your financial needs like any traditional alternative. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing online banks:

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

The annual average yield offered under each account will tell you how much interest your money will earn. When comparing online banks, consider one that offers competitive rates across all of its deposit accounts. 

Products and Services

Some online banks offer a complete package of banking products, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market accounts. They also offer loans and credit cards. So, look at the products and services offered by online banks before making a decision. You may also combine the services of an online bank with a traditional brick-and-mortar bank. 

Account Access

Typically, online banks offer 24/7 access to your account through their website or app. However, you should also consider how the bank handles deposits and withdrawals. It is crucial to know the restrictions, if any, on transfers, the limitations on withdrawals, and whether the bank accepts free cash deposits. 

ATM Network

An ATM network is essential if you frequently withdraw or deposit cash. An extensive ATM network will help you avoid transaction fees. If the bank is not associated with a large ATM network, you should look for one that will reimburse out-of-network ATM fees.  

Digital Tools

The best online banks offer innovative digital tools to help you accomplish financial goals. For example, Ally will help you organize your savings goals with savings buckets and analyze your spending habits to safely transfer available funds from your checking to your savings account.

Fees

You should avoid any bank, online or otherwise, that charges monthly fees or has extensive requirements to avoid them. Many online banks offer no-fee deposit accounts, require a low or $0 initial deposit to open the account, and don’t need a minimum balance to avoid maintenance fees. However, make sure you know whether the bank charges excessive withdrawal fees, paper statement fees, or fees for other services that you may want to use regularly.

Customer Service

Since you won’t have access to in-person customer service with an online bank, determine how you can contact a customer service representative if needed. Most online banks offer telephone support, live chats, or assistance via email. Some online banks also offer access to live support via extended hours or 24/7.

10 Top-Performing Online Banks

1. Alliant Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union is an NCUA-insured online credit union offering members competitive deposit account rates and minimal fees. Most accounts don’t charge maintenance fees, but these can be waived if you sign up for e-statements. Membership is available for current or former employees of Alliant’s partner businesses in the US. You can also become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate to become eligible for membership. Signing up costs $5, but Alliant will pay the one-time fee on your behalf. 

Alliant’s certificates earn solid APYs, with terms ranging from one year to five years. Its savings account earns a respectable yield of 3.10% APY on balances of $100 or more, but there are plenty of higher-yielding savings accounts with APYs over 5%. We like that Alliant’s High-Rate Checking account pays a better yield than other checking accounts and doesn’t require a minimum balance or charge service fees.

2. Varo Bank

Varo offers checking and savings accounts but doesn’t offer deposit certificates. Savings account comes with an APY starting at 2.50%. That rate becomes 5.00% for the first $5,000 if a customer meets the monthly requirements of the bank.

Cash deposits have limits and fees, and Varo customers can only deposit cash at a 3rd party retailer that joins the Green Dot network, including CVS, 7-Eleven, or Walgreens. On the other hand, cash withdrawals can be made through an ATM in the Allpoint network for free.

3. Ally Bank

Established in 2009, Ally Bank is full-service online bank that offers competitive rates on all deposit accounts. Customers can enjoy the highest rates for all balances, regardless of tier. Overall, the high APYs, minimal fees, and reliable customer service support makes Ally an excellent banking solution for millenials who want better savings and retirement plans.

4. Discover Bank

Discover Bank offers deposit accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and student loans. We like that Discover offers deposit accounts, such as CDs, savings, and a money market account, at competitive rates with no fees. While its $2,500 minimum deposit requirement for its CDs is steep, there is no minimum deposit required to open and maintain a savings, money market, or checking account.

5. Laurel Road 

Laurel Road, powered by KeyBank, helps healthcare and business professionals achieve their financial goals. They offer student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, credit card, and specialized savings accounts. Laurel Road also offer Loyalty Checking with a low APY. New customers can earn a sign-up and monthly bonus with qualifying direct deposits. In addition, both savings account and checking account has no monthly free or minimum balance requirement.

6. Capital One

Capital One offers an above-average 3.80% APY on its savings account, strong rates on its certificates of deposit, and 0.10% APY on all checking balances. All accounts are free, and customers can access over 70,000 free ATMs.

7. American Express National Bank

This bank offer High Yield Savings Account with a 3.80 APY. Likewise, certifcate deposits (CDs) have competitive rate and there is no minimum opening deposit. You don’t have to worry in case you encounter banking-related issues because American Express National Bank has 24/7 phone support and online chat support.

8. Marcus by Goldman Sachs

Launched in 2016, Marcus is the online-only banking arm of Goldman Sachs, one of the 15 largest banks in the US. The bank’s savings accounts and CDs offer competitive yields and no monthly maintenance fees.

While some online banks offer no minimum deposit requirement to open an account, Marcus requires a $500 deposit to get started with a CD. There’s no minimum deposit requirement for its high-yield savings account. Marcus doesn’t offer a checking account or money market account.

9. My Banking Direct

My Banking Direct is the online-only arm of Flagstar Bank, N.A., which New York Community Bancorp owns. The bank is a lean financial service that offers only savings, checking, and a five-month CD term. The APYs on its savings account and CD are among the best available today.

In addition, the bank doesn’t charge monthly or overdraft fees and provides surcharge-free ATM access through a 55,000 Allpoint and Presto network. To open a savings account, you must deposit $500. Checking accounts can be opened with just $1. During the week, you can access extended customer service hours until 8 p.m. ET and 2 p.m. ET on Sundays.

10. SoFi

SoFi (short for Social Finance) was the brainchild of Stanford Graduate School of Business students who created an alumni-funded lending source initially focused on refinancing student loans. Since then, SoFi has expanded into a variety of loan categories and now offers online checking and savings accounts.

Conclusion 

Online banks lets manage your money and account via a website, mobile device, or app. Also, online banks generally offer higher interest rates and fewer fees than traditional banks. You should remember that while technology makes everything accessible, online banks also have some limitations. For instance, online-only or internet-only banks lack in-person interaction. However, if you are comfortable managing your money online, online banks are a convenient and low-cost option.

Are you tired of keeping up with long email chains or trying to sync everyone in the team for a live call? If you answered yes, then Loom could be an efficient tool for you. In this Loom review, we’ll unpack how you can use Loom to explain complex ideas, give feedback, or walk someone through a task without going on a live call.

We’ll also explore its standout features, use cases, pricing plans, and how it compares to Zoom so you can decide if it fits your team’s workflow.

What is Loom?

Loom is a video messaging app that lets users record and share video messages with teammates and clients. Using Loom, you can record your camera, microphone, and desktop screen at the same time. 

According to online Loom review, this is especially useful for individuals to create tutorials, demonstrations, and presentations, as well as to share feedback. 

Loom users can choose to record with the Loom Chrome extension, the desktop app, as well as the iOS and Android apps. 

Some of Loom’s clients include Brex, Intercom, Postclick, and more. 

Loom Features

Loom has various features that allow it to seamlessly integrate into a company’s existing workflows. 

Users can play Loom download videos within platforms like:

• Slack
• Jira
• Confluence
• Github

Why does this matter? Users will no longer be led to an external link, increasing their productivity by playing feedback videos within the platform. 

Next, Loom video has an AI suite that can help teams work more efficiently. Using AI, the tool can:

• Automatically generate meeting notes and recaps, among other things
• Instantly create chapters in your videos, as well as CTAs and tasks
• Create text transcription and generate closed captions

To refine your videos further, Loom has features that can remove filler words and silence in a video.

Besides this, Loom also has a video-to-text feature. This is especially useful for asynchronous teams that need help with logging a bug issue, documenting a process, or performing a code review. 

Loom Pricing

Loom pricing is generally straightforward. If you want to know if Loom is free, yes, it does have a free tier. 

It has a free Starter plan for users who want to try out the app’s key features. It can accommodate up to 50 Workspace users, who are each entitled to up to 25 videos with a five-minute length cap. 

Next, the Business plan is for teams that want unlimited videos and basic editing. It costs $15 per user per month if billed annually. Here, you can have unlimited members get basic waveform editing, remove the Loom Branding, and more. 

According to Loom review, their most popular plan is the Business + AI plan, where teams can get advanced editing and access their AI suite. This plan costs $20 per user per month if billed annually. 

Their premium plan is the Enterprise plan, which is best for companies that want to control and securely manage video content for the organization. If you’re wondering, “Is Loom safe to use?” This plan has advanced security and content privacy features as well as admin insights. Teams need to contact Loom’s sales team first to get a price quote. 

Finally, Loom has a discount plan for educators as part of the Atlassian Education Program. 

Use Case Breakdown

Here are a few Loom use cases:

• Loom review can be especially helpful for tech teams, as it can be used to narrate a bug issue. When an issue occurs, developers or testers can simply record the issue with Loom and report the issue to the concerned developers. It saves time and increases the turnaround time for bug fixes. 
• Hiring teams and internal teams can also use Loom to document an internal process for onboarding purposes. Apart from this, it can also be used by customer-facing teams to create user guides on a platform or a new product feature. 
• Sales teams can also use Loom to reach out to prospective clients. When cold emails are not friendly enough, sales teams can create personalized video content through Loom and stand out.  
• Taking too long to get feedback from all stakeholders? Loom is great for product design teams to get asynchronous feedback from a global executive team. It’s great for instances where it’s difficult to get stakeholders in one meeting. 
• Finally, Loom is great for educators and academics who want to create videos for remote classes. 

Loom vs. Zoom

While their names sound the same, Loom and Zoom have different fundamental use cases. In terms of Loom review, Loom is best used to record and send videos, which can be used for demos, tutorials, and feedback. In terms of use cases, Loom is more catered to asynchronous communication and screen recordings. 

Meanwhile, Zoom is best used for hosting live meetings and large conferences. It has features like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. While you can use Zoom to record videos yourself, Loom is more optimized to share video links with teammates and clients. 

Final Thoughts: Who Will Get the Most Out of Loom?

Loom is best for companies that need videos for their day-to-day work communication. Whether for external or internal communication, it is great for clients who work asynchronously. In fact, most of their clients include those in the tech and product space. 

Their product is useful for tech, sales, and product design teams that need to align with cross-functional teams. Loom is also best for companies that want to tighten their internal feedback loop, demonstrate processes, and get quick updates. 

Educators, coaches, and course creators can also benefit from Loom’s features. The platform makes it easy to create clear, engaging instructional videos that students or clients can watch at their own pace. With features like closed captioning, video chapters, and transcription, Loom helps streamline learning and knowledge sharing.

Finally, to sum up this Loom review, freelancers and consultants who want to build stronger relationships with clients may also find Loom useful. Just like gadgets that boost team connectivity, like the Deeper Connect Pico, the global workforce can benefit a lot from Loom. Personalized video updates, walkthroughs, or proposals can set them apart, adding a human touch to digital communication that static emails or text-based reports often lack.