When I opened my first D1 Training facility in 2008, the headlines painted a grim picture: banks collapsing, unemployment surging, and families losing their homes. Launching a business during the Great Recession was undoubtedly a risky move. But I believed in what we were building, and through years of growth, learning, and navigating those early hardships, I was able to successfully expand.
Fast forward to 2020—just as I opened my second location, the world was upended again, this time by a global pandemic. Once more, the economy was rattled and everyday life disrupted.
Now, in 2025, small business owners are staring down yet another wave of uncertainty. Rising inflation and shifting labor dynamics are creating new challenges, leaving many unsure of how to move forward. But for those of us who have weathered downturns before, these moments feel familiar—and they reinforce the need to approach turbulence with both resilience and strategy.
The lessons I learned in 2008 and 2020 continue to shape how I lead my two D1 facilities today. Below are three insights that have guided me in scaling businesses successfully during times of uncertainty.
Double Down on Your Offering
In times of economic uncertainty, many business owners feel pressure to either cut back services to protect their bottom line or rapidly add new offerings in hopes of boosting revenue. In my experience, both approaches can dilute your brand and confuse your customers. What works instead is doubling down on what you do best and doing it with even greater clarity and conviction.
When I opened my first D1 Training location during the 2008 recession, there was no playbook for launching a specialized fitness facility in such a volatile climate. What got us through wasn’t reinventing ourselves—it was leaning hard into what set us apart. We stayed laser-focused on delivering elite, athlete-style training and an exceptional member experience. That consistency built trust, and trust translated to loyalty at a time when people were being selective with every dollar they spent.
The lesson? In any economic climate, but especially during downturns, your core services must clearly meet a need for your target demographic. Resist the temptation to spread yourself thin. Instead, sharpen your focus, highlight the unique value you bring, and consistently deliver at a high level. That’s how you build staying power—even when the market is uncertain.
Partner with the Right People
One of the most valuable lessons that I learned early in my career is that the right partners make all the difference. When I met Will Bartholomew, the founder of D1 Training, I immediately sensed his passion for providing top-tier training services to athletes everywhere. His story, leadership, and authenticity were what built that trust in his vision and drove me to join the D1 system as a franchisee.
Opening a business is more than just building a brand—it involves building a community of people who will be with you for the long haul. Starting off with the right team members in place sets the entire tone for your business as you begin to scale. Be intentional in building partnerships with people who share your values and work ethic. During both economic downturns, having strong relationships and team members in the right places was what helped us navigate the uncertainty and come out on top.
When you’ve surrounded yourself with people you trust, you can move quickly, adapt smartly, and ease the burden when hurdles arise. When making any business decision, whether it’s hiring new team members or joining a new franchise system, take a deeper dive into their reliability. If you do not trust them to stand firm when challenges arise, it probably will not be the right fit in the long term.
Build a Collaborative Foundation
I owe much of my success in scaling my business to the collaborative foundation that I built from the very beginning. This goes beyond simply collaboration with team members to include engaging with customers and my community in impactful ways.
As a leader, it’s crucial to embrace feedback from not only your team but also from every person who interacts with your business. Creating a space where transparent communication is valued, listened to, and acted on only helps the business grow. It’s equally important for you, as a leader, to be transparent with your team. In prioritizing this collaborative foundation, I’ve managed to improve my facilities and expand through the power of loyalty.
Scaling during economic uncertainty requires more than just a good idea for a business. You need a strong belief in your mission, a foundation of trust, and a culture of collaboration and transparency. While there might never be the “perfect time” to start or grow a business, there are ways to plan strategically to make smarter decisions, even during times of uncertainty.
The economy will always cycle, but the foundation that you build now and the way you show up each day will carry you through as you build your legacy.
Steve Snider is the owner of D1 Training in Little Rock and Rogers, Arkansas. A passionate leader with a love for sports and fitness, Steve and his team help people reach their fitness and performance goals while making working out fun, challenging, and life-changing.
Photo courtesy D1 Training
