What Recession? 5 Businesses That Are Thriving

Despite bad news about job cuts, foreclosures and bailouts, there is good news: some businesses are doing well in the recession. From books to cosmetics to cars, consumers are looking for areas to cut costs and certain companies are stepping up to the plate.

These flexible businesses are doing more than just offering discounts; they are also adding value to customers' lives and earning their trust. This extra effort is something that's more important than its been for the last 40 years because customers are "infinitely more discriminating about where and how much they are going to spend," says Scott McKain, author of the forthcoming book, "Collapse of Distinction: Stand Out and Move Up While Your Competition Fails."