Atticus Advisors

If there’s one thing veteran entrepreneurs understand, it’s that downturns don’t always announce themselves—they accelerate. With economic signals flashing mixed messages and structural uncertainties mounting in 2025, founders and co-founders must shift from passive observation to proactive preparation.

The question isn’t whether a recession is officially declared. It’s whether your business is structured to endure—and evolve—when things get tighter.

Economic downturns have a way of separating reactive businesses from resilient ones. In 2025, with early signs of contraction already surfacing in the U.S. economy, founders and co-founders face a crucial question: How do you continue to grow—or even stabilize—when headwinds intensify?

While the headlines often focus on macro forces, seasoned entrepreneurs know that success during economic slowdowns lies in decisive, internal shifts. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about repositioning your business to thrive in a new context. Below are three core moves that every founder should be making in today’s environment, drawn from real-world leadership playbooks.