The economies of Greece, Portugal and Spain are badly hit by the recession, yet despite the bad news about all these three economies- some businesses are doing well. Each business is not a corporation or a business linked with the government- but a private enterprise that has expanded continually since 2008. What factors make these three small businesses beat the recession?
1. Greece- A Solar Farm
Athens may be a battle ground as the Greek economy melts down, but this has not affected one farmer,-who exchanged growing olives to creating a mini-solar energy plant on his land. Greece is energy poor, yet slow to take advantage of the cheap electricity it could generate from the sun. One farmer tired of struggling as crop prices fall, started a solar energy farm- the first in his village.
Since 2007, long before the economic meltdown in Greece- this farm has expanded, where he supplies cheap electricity to his neighbors. Neighbors who once ridiculed the idea of solar energy- now have cheap electricity and are grateful for the services of a simple farmer.
2. Portugal- A Vineyard
Running a vineyard may sound romantic but in Europe wine is cheap and plentiful,- and unprofitable as a business. One vineyard owner decided to make quality, wines for the export market- not for "wealthy" Europe or the states- but emerging Angola, and Brazil. Since 2006, this small vineyard exports thousands of bottles of wine per year, whilst other vineyards in Europe see their grapes rot on their roots- due to a glut on the market.
3. Spain- An Ecological Getaway
Tourism has always been a mainstay of the Spanish economy, but has steadily fallen as Spain cannot compete on price with Bulgaria or Turkey. In 2005, an abandoned village was slowly reformed in the hills of Murcia province. The owner, renovated twenty stone cottages,- running independently on solar energy, a natural water supply and independently grown organic food near the cottages.
In 2010, with the mass Spanish tourist market facing further decline, occupancy in this ecological getaway has increased 100%, since late 2008. This sanctuary is simply advertised on a website, and by word of mouth but remains full, most of the year. Elsewhere tourism in Europe is in sharp decline- especially in Southern Europe.
None of the businesses are corporations or tied to linked to a government. To a degree they are part of a new 'niche' economy that thrives on innovation, the use of new technology and nurturing the nature around us. They are in essence- the future.