510. 7 Recession-Proof Strategies for Building Wealth in a Down Market

We spend a lot of time worrying about uncertainty—tariffs, market volatility, the looming threat of a recession. But what if these aren’t just obstacles, but some of the greatest opportunities for your business or career? History shows that recessions often create more millionaires than any other time and open the door for companies to leap ahead.

In this episode, I break down the seven strategies you can use to become recession-proof. These are the same ideas that helped Keller Williams not just survive the Great Recession, but emerge as the #1 company in our industry. We talk about how to develop a resilient mindset, get lean and cut unnecessary expenses, and focus ruthlessly on what actually moves the needle. I walk you through practical exercises—like the ABCs of expenses—and challenge you to find your margin so you can weather any market.

We’ll cover how to stay agile and adapt your business model for the market ahead, not the one you’re leaving behind. You’ll hear why being connected—to your team, your network, your vendors, and even your competitors—is more important than ever. And we dig into the importance of becoming irreplaceable to your clients, plus how to become a beacon of leadership when everyone else is running for cover. The truth is, change is coming whether we like it or not. The only question is: will you be ready to seize the opportunity?

Challenge of the Week:

Set aside an hour to do the ABCs of expenses. Grab three months of statements and label every expense as an A (absolutely essential), B (optional), or C (stuff you can cut right now). Take action to reduce or eliminate your Bs and Cs—your business and your bank account will thank you.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

• Why uncertainty and recessions can be your biggest opportunity

• Seven strategies to thrive and gain market share in tough times

• How to cut costs, get focused, and become irreplaceable

Links & Tools from This Episode:

• Read Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan, and Dave Jenks

• Read Grit by Angela Duckworth

• Read Antifragile by Nassim Taleb

• Free Resources

• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing.

Produced by NOVA