SmallBusinessNewz

What works for one person may not do the same for another, and this reality holds true for businesses.  That said, if you want to follow the lead of the world's best entrepreneurs (as judged by the firm Ernst & Young), it may not be a good idea to let the economy make you too cautious.

Ernst & Young surveyed the 116 finalists and winners of its Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and according to a statement, discovered that "[t]he majority (61%) founded their companies in a healthier economic time, but overwhelmingly (92%) stated they would have founded their company regardless of the state of the economy."

As for what else these individuals are up to, they're not exactly building bunkers.  "32% sought acquisitions and 67% said they increased the number of employees by an average of 14% in the past year," Ernst & Young reports.

The only (sort-of) downsides are that 44 percent of respondents have reduced their spending, and 29 percent have refinanced debt.

So, depending on how bold you're feeling, don't set aside all your best ideas for that indeterminate time at which the economy will look better.  Lots of smart people are at least willing to say that they would go ahead with expanding and/or starting over in spite of the Dow's fluctuations.