Pandemic may provide opportunity for entrepreneurs

A mobile tire-changing service always seemed like a decent idea to Jared Campbell. It's convenient, and the customer can stay in the office while he gets a new set of tires installed.

But these days, the model may have even more potential.

"It's really good especially in the climate that we are in today where less exposure is probably better," said Campbell who bought a Tread Connection franchise earlier this year.

He launched his new business March 1, 2020. Talk about tricky timing.

"It was tough. You definitely have to re-evaluate what you are doing pretty fast," Campbell said.

The team is now wearing gloves and masks and offering contact-less service. Business is starting to pick up again.

This is the kind of progress longtime entrepreneur Brian Hamilton is hoping for for small business owners and those who may want to take a shot at starting a business during a pandemic.

"Are there businesses in this sort of new economy that might be opportunities? Maybe tutoring? Maybe some technology tool?" Hamilton asked.

Hamilton made millions of dollars co-founding and selling his share of the technology company Sageworks. Now he spends his days helping others venture out into entrepreneurship. He is the CEO of the Brian Hamilton Foundation, and has started programs like Inmates to Entrepreneurs, which help people transition from prison to being productive contributors to our economy.

He said he is worried about small businesses right now, but he also sees a possibility for growth.

"There's always opportunities in tough times. Just try to think as an entrepreneur what can I do that might aide the needs of the market a little bit," he said.

There's a chance to make a change that could lead to future stability and even job creation when the pandemic is a memory.