As we enter the third month of this novel coronavirus pandemic threatening the safety and livelihoods of millions of Americans, I think we can agree that is a lot to accept. In just six weeks, coronavirus-related layoffs have erased more than 30 million jobs, equivalent to almost all of the jobs created over the past decade. Small businesses account for 47% of American jobs, and according to a new survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review, 45% of 5,800 small businesses surveyed said they were temporarily closed, and employment by these businesses had fallen by 40 % since the end of January. Yet many are advising that we are unlikely to know the true effects of this virus for months to come.
In the spring, Teodor Panterov, president of Central Park Tours, typically sees up to 50 customers perusing his shop daily looking for bikes to rent and touring New York's famous Central Park. However, as New York became the epicenter of COVID-19 business, tourism, and in turn Panterov business, stopped screaming. In March, he finds himself with a store full of bicycles, yet devoid of customers. What do you get when you put someone between a pandemic and a company full of underutilized resources? Silver linings, born from a unique combination of empathy and ingenuity.
Central Park Tours is now offering
their bikes to anyone working in food delivery, for free. It runs the
free service on the honor code; any delivery person can visit the store and
exchange their ID for a bike, to be returned at the end of their shift. Around one
a dozen delivery people use Central Park Tours bikes daily, and Panterov is
working to partner with major delivery service apps like
DoorDash and Grubhub to that their employees can find additional support during these
times.
“There are so many people on
work, food delivery is one of the few essential functions that remains,” says Paterov.
“Having a bike is a huge advantage because you can deliver food. meals faster and
collect more tips per shift. It may not be much, but we wanted to help people,
and we will continue to look for other ways to support us. »
In Mooresville, North Carolina, Baker SoftWash, a pressure washing and roof cleaning company, exercises its essential classification as a sanitizing service to improve its community.
“Spring is usually our busiest time,
however, we have seen a slowdown in business,” says Shawn Baker, Owner of Baker
SoftWash. “While we are having some downtime, we want to give back to our community
in any way we can, which means providing a clean environment and
our neighborhoods are a better place for us all to reopen. . »
The five Baker
SoftWash employees have cleaned and sanitized 12 public playgrounds, with a pending list
of at least 20 additional playgrounds or schools spanning the city. baker
reports that other washing companies around the world are embracing this idea, and
his company will continue cleaning playgrounds even after the shelter is in place
order is lifted.
As more Americans find themselves unemployed or underemployed, some companies have turned to public morale in comedic and creative ways. Within the first week of a stay-at-home order, a West Los Angeles cafe, Good People Coffee, began shipping a free roll of toilet paper with every order. The team then painted 6-foot tiles reminiscent of Candy Land around and throughout the store, displaying safe social distancing for customers taking takeout orders in a way that feels more comforting than dystopian. A refreshing change to how most establishments feel these days. Coupled with the tongue-in-cheek social distancing logos, the café's vibe reflects the values it promotes year-round by partnering with independent coffee farmers in disadvantaged countries around the world – it's a small world, let's move on. together.
“Our world is so different and it shakes emotions,” says Chuck Herrera, creative director and co-owner of Good People Coffee. “We immediately focused on educating our staff and customers on the new procedures we are following during COVID-19. But we did it our way, using colors and humor; disregarding the fact that this is a global pandemic, but reminding us that social distancing is only temporary. We are all going through this and we are doing it together. »
The creativity of small businesses does not stop there. While puzzles quickly rose through the ranks as the most popular ticket (perhaps second only to toilet paper), a new puzzle company, JIGGY, saw demand for its puzzles increase by 200% within weeks. As a woman-owned company, JIGGY partners with emerging female artists who create the graphics for each of its unique puzzles; artists whom COVID-19 left are struggling to make ends meet as galleries closed. Harnessing the popularity of puzzles to support as many artists as possible, JIGGY founder Kaylin Marcotte launched “JIGGY Originals” on May 6, a virtual auction of hand-painted puzzles to raise money for artists. which will take place during the month of May.
“We've been sprinting to meet the demand for puzzles over the past two months, as we simultaneously heard from struggling artists as orders dried up,” says Marcotte. “To fill this gap, we created JIGGY Originals where we invited artists and celebrities to draw their own original designs on blank white puzzles, which we will auction, splitting the proceeds between the artists and the COVID Artist Fund. Relief to support the industry as a whole. »
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A post shared by JIGGY (@jiggypuzzles) on May 6, 2020 at 1:47 PM PDT
Artists of all shapes and sizes are doing what they can to spread positivity in their own way. Boutique and craft supply company The Neon Tea Party is selling quarantine friendship bracelet kits and donating a portion of the proceeds to Free Arts NYC, which provides free creativity advice to 2,000 homeless children in 14 New York shelters. When nearly all of DJ Rob Ferre's 50 spring events were canceled or postponed, rather than streaming DJ sets from home, Ferre found a way to "break through the virtual wall" and connect with his Salt community. Lake City through what he calls Doorstep DJ Socially. Remote dance parties. Families remain safely spaced out on their own porches as Ferre rolls through neighborhoods with upbeat music reminiscent of the healing powers of a spontaneous dance break. Last month, Ferre hosted 15 dance parties with more on the horizon.
Despite a pandemic-sized threat
to their bottom line, small businesses are banding together to support consumers
and even competitors in need – a show of solidarity and leadership in our society
a desperately need.
“Our business depends on all of these other businesses and the people in them,” says Brittany Merrill-Yeng, co-founder of Skrewball Whisky, maker of the country's first peanut butter whiskey. “Skrewball does not make trading decisions based on our results. Instead, we believe that if you help people when they need you, on time, you'll get it tenfold. And, best of all, the world will be a better place for our children. »
In response to the pandemic, Skrewball launched its Skrew COVID-19 campaign to raise awareness and fund suddenly unemployed bar and restaurant industry workers. To date, Skrewball has donated $250,000 to USBG's Bartender Emergency Assistance Program and an additional $200,000 between Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) and Restaurant Care Program. the California Restaurant Association. The 10-person team also personally delivered $50,000 worth of care packages to San Diegan families in need, and diverted production to create hand sanitizer donated locally and nationally to police chiefs, fire stations firefighters and to dozens of hospitals to ensure our frontline countries were stocked with needed supplies.
Countless other craft breweries and distilleries have moved away from “their lane” to gain momentum. Yet perhaps none have been busier than the sewing machines of garment workers. A boutique clothing maker in Los Angeles, Suay Sew Shop, has converted all of its operations to sewing face masks — not just a normal face covering. The shop conducted its own tests and created a model using fabrics that specifically filter out up to 95% of the particles they might test. In April, Suay sewed, shipped and distributed more than 27,000 free masks nationwide to healthcare providers, essential workers, immunocompromised people, the homeless and more, relying solely on the kindness of the community through a GoFundMe to pay for supplies and staff salaries of 30 people. . Suay is now selling new masks with a portion of the proceeds earmarked to feed LA garment workers affected by COVID-19.
These are just a fraction of the small businesses
meeting this moment despite the odds. Small business owners across the
nation are absorbing the financial brunt of this virus, and in the face of "unprecedented '
uncertainty', they have actively chosen to lead with compassion and inspire hope,
even from a distance. These companies are the backbone of our country and
remind us of what America stands for - us the people acting as "us" instead of
me. And they deserve our attention. Big companies can serve communities
around the world, but don't forget who washes your playgrounds.
So buy small, and not just on Saturdays. Prioritize local cafes, farmers markets, independent bookstores and toy stores in your town; and if you're not sure where to start, consider adding web browser extensions like Trestle that help you buy based on your individual values, from small business to sustainability. Quarantine won't last forever, but if we're not intentional, the choices we're making right now might.
