If you were able to expand your business during a downturn because of a solid balance sheet (buying out overleveraged competitors, equipment and facilities for a song) your growth would perhaps be exponential.The times of greatest wealth accumulation oppurtunity occur during the darkest days.

There is a sweet spot that you can adjust up or down based on what your competitors have done.

I love seeing my competitors squirm!

A brand is the story of a company, and gives the company a purpose and a foundation.When creating a brand you need to be able to explain the benefits of the company, what differentiates you from competitors, and be able to provide quantifiable proof to your consumers.

But due to cheeper Chinese products flooding the market and all my competitors racing there prices to the bottom to be the lowest price; it was no longer profitable.I do plan on starting another online business in the finance sector and possibly another that focuses on commercial real estate.

You want to be very professional, this will set you apart from your competitors and allow you to charge more.One of my best Subs was a bunch of college grads who were on the football team.

I also buy from one broker, a competitor who I trust, is a friend and helped me during 2009 and 2010 while I was recovering from my heart surgery, stroke and re-learning how to walk, read, etc.For servicing, I use FCI and Del Toro and I'm about to begin using a new company owned by Trustee Corps in Irvine, CA, Harmony.

Actually, it was said by his competitor.

While this can help you in rising markets it's also a double edge sword when you buy an entire load and the price drops 15 cents in 2 days while your competitor down the road was able to wait and can now charge less.  

Otherwise they are finding our competitors and not us.