The Great Recession OR Slow News Year

Coming out of the Winter season is always an exciting time in the rental / production world and this year is no different. This last day of February marks the end of playtime, it's time for the busy season. This last year has been an emotional challenge for many Americans due to the constant media attention to the economic meltdown, collapse of the house market, and my favorite exaggeration - the Great Recession! I didn't let the media hacks get me down and I mostly tuned them out and focused on all the good things - such as having the best January ever due to the many Inauguration events happening in DC in 2009. I'm sure if I was writing this from a construction company or auto dealer it would have a different tone.

The Great Recession was great to me for a few reasons which I'll list:
* Fuel prices (gasoline AND diesel) dropped.
* My stock portfolio got beat up, but that's okay, I'm not retiring for a while.
* Interest rates on mortgages dropped and I refinanced without ANY costs to a much lower rate.
* All the vendors I deal with were willing to make a deal to sell more product.
* Purchased a used forklift at a great price and in top notch condition.
* Hired a new employee that was laid off by the county - their loss, my gain.


It's all in the way you look at thing, the glass is half full.

I'm not surprised to report that I'm hearing over and over from customers and vendors - things are really picking up, March and April are VERY busy. I can report the same thing - March and April are looking to be very busy months, but they always are (which I AM thankful for, and I don't mean to sound egotistical). The busy season will feel more hectic than ever because we've come out of the recession finally, sure thing. Many companies, in may industries have made their operations more efficient after years of functioning in the "irrational exuberance" economy that was America.

I was happy and content over the last two years personally and in my business life because my overhead costs were in control. The majority of what you heard about in the media was people in overpriced homes in interest only loans, or similar financial instruments. I've always been conservative with a backup plan, and money in savings to smooth out the bumps. As a result the media hype never got to me and I never really worried about any of it. Business is solid and I'm ready for the busy season, again.