Starting a small business during the recession is a viable option.

Despite mounting layoffs and sour economic news, more and more folks have "ditched employment for entrepreneurship" and found success.

The Globe and Mail chronicles the path of a former telecommunications professional from corporate layoff to small business owner, an increasingly common story during tough economic times.

According to the article, CIBC World Markets says that the self-employed are nearly 15 percent of the labor force, and expect it to be the "fastest growing employment sector this year."

Becky Reuber, a strategic management professor at the University of Toronto, told the news source that with a solid plan, entrepreneurs can have success launching a small business during economic downturns.

Small businesses "have a focus, can be very responsive to customer needs, and can move quickly," she continues. These characteristics may help them weather the current economic storm.

Meanwhile, some new small business owners are using online social networks and community forums to share ideas with other entrepreneurs.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in publicizing new businesses and making new contacts, according to itbusiness.ca.

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