So... starting a company during a recession is a good thing because it will force you to adopt best practices? What about just adopting best practices during a boom? Wouldn't that be MORE advantageous?

Seriously, how is adopting an advantageous behavior an advantage if its sole purpose is to offset a disadvantage? It isn't. If you're not frugal, your not going to be able to start your company in a boom, much less a recession.