Entrepreneurship hits recent high as risk-takers seize opportunities

It's been said that it makes sense to start a business when times are tough. The current spate of layoffs has led many businesses to rely on temps, contractors and other outside service providers, actually leading to a market opportunity for entrepreneurs. If they can carve out a piece of the market now and hang tough until conditions improve, they'll be poised for accelerated growth and profitability when economic conditions improve.

It seems a lot of people are thinking this way, according to a recent study by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., which puts the percentage of job-hunters creating their own opportunities as entrepreneurs at 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2009.