All we here about in a depression / recession is lay offs, businesses going under and that most people aren’t making as much money as before. But even with the gloom and doom, people are still making money in a recession and depression. There are still plenty of business opportunities, from renovating a house to sellling second hand merchandise.
Keep in mind that when one business goes down, another one goes up. When the people stop buying new clothes, the second hand business goes up. When people stop buying expensive food at the store, can food sales go up. Mc Donalds has had record sales while sit down restuarants have lost business.
The main way anyone is making money is by adapting to what people want in a depression / recession. People want cheaper stuff so stores start offering special deals, like $1 any size drink or buy one get one free offers.