I'm not a skater, but the principles he suggests are applicable to any product or service-based business in our current economy.

clipped from www.successmagazine.com Tony Hawk’s Strategies for Starting a Business During Tough Times You hear it everywhere, every day. The market is down. Times are tough. People are struggling. But what if an unstable economy is the perfect time to start a business? That-s exactly what Tony Hawk did when he created a multimillion-dollar skateboarding empire during a flat market and waning public interest. Here-s what Tony has to say about using tough times to your advantage: Know it is risky, but do it anyway. Recognize the advantages of a flat market. Make sure you are passionate about your idea or product. Don-t just grab deals as they come—scrutinize. Align yourself with people who share your work ethic. Know your market. For Tony, it was Gen X and Y. Realize you never jump off the learning curve. Hard knocks can make you stronger.