5 Small Business Swaps To Try During Trying Times
How to Stay Afloat During a Pandemic
As somebody operates a small business, I’m being hit really hard from this global pandemic, as I know so many of you are as well. I know that in the grand scheme of things, we’ll look back at this historic time and recognize how much we’ve grown and bettered our businesses through these hardships, but right now it’s just that: really hard. I recognize this, and I am with you through this — which is why I wanted to share five small business tips to try during these times of uncertainty:
Communicate with your community - Arguably the most essential part of anyone’s business is the community they’re a part of. It will always be important to nurture relationships with the people who make up your community. But especially when the economy is down, you’ll want to make sure you’re communicating more than ever to those people. Send updates as often as you can, take the time to reach out to members of your community you have strong particularly relationships with, post more digitally, and stay connected. Connection is key.
Remember your why - This is a key piece of advice for anytime your business is going through change, especially for those moments where you find it hard to keep going. Dive into why you started and how you’re going to use your mission statement to keep going and stay afloat. My mission statement is “for the girl curating her own future”, it’s why HonestlyKate was created, to inspire women to curate their own futures while letting them in on as many fashion, beauty, entrepreneurship, and general life tips as I could. When I’m feeling low in uncertain times, I remember my why and it pushes me to keep going. We didn’t come this far to just give up every time we hit a bump in the road, did we?
Take time for yourself and your mental health - Right now, the universe is giving us a sign to slow down. Use it. Take this time to focus on aspects of yourself and your mental health that you haven’t been able to because you’ve been so busy running a business. Take a yoga or pilates class you’ve always wanted to try, read that book you’ve been eyeing on your shelf, or spend more time with your loved ones now that things have slowed down. And try your hardest not to worry. It will all be okay in the end, and you have to remember that some things are out of our control.
Learn how to adapt - It’s during times of uncertainty that small businesses must learn to adapt. We are in an age where digital interaction is crucial for any small business, it’s time to flow with the times and learn how your business can succeed remotely. Remember, we’re all in this together. It's okay to feel uncertain. Try your best and know that there’s always a tomorrow.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help -We’re all struggling, we all need help right now. It’s okay to voice your concerns and reach out to members of your community for guidance and help. Don’t ever feel ashamed of that. There’s a reason your business exists, and that’s because people saw its value. Remind those people of your value, and reach out. As the song goes, “we get by with a little help from our friends,” and it’s true.
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