“How do you help clients stay calm and focused during market downturns?”
Here is what 5 thought leaders had to say.
Data Quiets Fear: Finding Clarity Through Market Storms
When markets start shaking and everyone feels that familiar knot in their stomach, I focus on helping clients breathe through the noise. I remind them that panic makes everything louder and blurrier, while calm brings back clarity. Sometimes, I’ll just tell them to take a walk or step away from the screen for a bit — because staring at red charts all day can feel like watching a storm you can’t stop.
I also share data and real examples from previous downturns to show that dips are part of the market’s rhythm, not its end. It’s about turning fear into perspective. I’ve learned that clients don’t just need technical advice during those moments — they need someone steady, someone who’s not shaken by the wind. That’s when trust matters most.
Eugene Musienko, CEO, Merehead.com
Numbers, Not Panic: Strategic Options During Market Downturns
I just show clients the scenarios. We run the numbers on what happens if they hold, sell, or even convert a property. Recently, we talked about lease-options and seller financing, which gave one investor a clear path and put his mind at ease during a downturn. Offering those concrete choices gets people out of panic mode and into actual planning.
Mike Wall, Founder/CEO, We Buy Gulf Coast Houses
Control Through Options: Client Relief in Uncertain Markets
When markets get shaky, I lay out all the options, like seller financing or pushing out the closing date. One client was worried about selling too fast, so we put together a lease-option deal. They could finally breathe, not having to decide on the spot. People relax when they feel in control of their choices.
Carl Fanaro, President, NOLA Buys Houses
The Patience That Protected Our Quality
When things started picking up at Wholesale Janitorial Supply, the hardest part was keeping our products consistent while trying to keep up with demand. It’s easy to get caught up chasing bigger numbers, but I’ve always believed people remember how your product feels in their hands — the sturdiness of a mop handle, the scent of a cleaner that actually smells fresh, not harsh.
One thing that really worked for us was creating a simple but strict quality checklist that every order had to pass before going out. No matter how busy we got, we stuck to it. It slowed us down at first, but it saved us from customer complaints and refunds later.
I’d say the real secret was patience. Growth is exciting, but rushing it can wreck what made your business worth growing in the first place.
Elliott Greenberg, CEO, Wholesale Janitorial Supply
Steady Hands Win: Emotions Take Backseat to Goals
When the market starts to wobble, emotions can easily take the driver’s seat. I’ve learned that my role isn’t just to offer solutions but to bring calm into the conversation. I remind clients that downturns are part of the rhythm of business—like the tide going out before it comes back stronger.
At Simply Noted, we’ve had moments where uncertainty crept in, and even I’ve felt that tightening in the chest that comes with watching numbers dip. During those times, I focus on what we can control—our service, our relationships, and our consistency. I share that same mindset with clients. We talk about their long-term goals, not just the day’s challenges. Sometimes I even encourage them to take a walk, breathe, and come back to the situation with a clearer head.
It’s not about pretending everything is fine—it’s about reminding ourselves that steady hands build lasting success.
Rick Elmore, CEO, Simply Noted
