No One Planned For This, But...
Well, I speak for myself here.
I didn’t plan to ever become an e-commerce business. I didn’t plan to quarantine, postpone vacations, wear a mask in all public spaces or cancel every pop up.
Yet, here we are.
I’m one of those business owners who didn’t prepare for the sharp shifts and instead, just kinda played it by ear, because really, SO much was out of my hands to do more …or anything, right. I don’t doubt this is a privilege because we all witnessed many businesses struggle through while others ultimately lost the battle. People that’d been in business for decades are now just a shell of memories.
It’s disheartening and concerning. And sometimes I wonder if any of it is worth it while other days, I am beyond excited to get back in the kitchen or offer something new. At the end of the day, this work is fun and fulfilling. And I will be here until it’s not. But I will no longer stress about surviving because energy transfers, and I will not be baking your goodies with the world’s problems on my shoulders! That is not in my job description nor is it in yours.
After reading this post, it really helped seal my perspective on small business ownership and the consistent work that is required to maintain presence and sanity in such interesting times. Some things I pushed back on but began to embrace and implement:
Staying social. I officially started using an app to post on instagram. This concept seemed completely ridiculous when it was introduced to me, but it is one less thing I have to physically do several times a month.
I asked for help. Closed mouths don’t get fed. Nuff said.
I moved the creative side of business completely out of my home. With extracurricular activities being limited and masks required, this was especially helpful; I reclaimed my home as my sanctuary, not the space where I do E V E R Y T H I N G.
I cut the menu offerings by two-thirds and upgraded the website to e-commerce. This was the hardest pivot because I know some of y’all’s favorites were cut because they can’t be shipped. I am working on finding a reliable pick up location for our local loves. Stay tuned!
Staying even more social. I realized a blog post hadn’t been written in a year. Unacceptable! I’m on it. Also, if you’ve taken the time to subscribe to our mailing list, thank you. More updates and perks are in store.
In the midst of (perceived) chaos, it seems as if a lot is out of our hands. Well, true… but not; it’s all perspective. You can use this time to shift. You can close your doors. YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) REST! You can hold out on launching that idea for another year. All of these are acceptable, understandable choices! You hold that power.
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How have you pivoted? What lessons did you take from last year?
Tight hugs and best wishes for an amazing 2021!
❤︎
