Covid 19 has been, in a word, catastrophic. It has hit so many of us in so many ways. If you're a small business owner, how can you survive the times when everything feels like it's against you?
Every day I work with small suppliers and SME's to deliver the best possible products for my customers. Also, many of my customers are small business owners themselves, so I thought it would be good to check in with our ways of working post Covid.
Here's my top 5 tips to keep you on track and fighting the good fight.
1: Passion
HAVE IT
If your heart is not in your business 100% then start something else or take on a regular job, because the rewards are only great if you've literally sweated for them (and probably bored everyone to tears with your ideas!)
2: Purpose
KNOW IT
A business with a purpose is always going to touch hearts of others - we support small businesses because we care, so if your customer cares, then show you do too! Whether it's donating a proportion of profits to a good cause, having strong ethical standards or simply supporting a community in a positive way. Make a positive difference.
3: Flexibiltiy
BECOME IT
Times change -ha don't we know it!! If you don't flex you will no longer survive. You don't have to be a lion, this isn't as basic as survival of the fittest, but you do have to bend and flex. Look at your business from a different angle. Take time to strategise, keep things fresh and involve others, collaboration is key!
4: Trust
SUCCUMB TO IT
If you trust the process and stop stressing or making excuses it WILL happen. Of course you need points 1,2 and 3 in alignment first, this won't just happen with no effort. It would be nice if business could be more hippy in it's mindset but it's not. However this old chesnut rings true, 'if you fail to plan you plan to fail' - so get planning!
5: Help
GET IT
If you can't do it, ask someone who can. Invest in people who can take you where you need to be. You have to take risks to accumulate. If you don't want to grow that's absolutely fine (not everyone wants to have a huge Richard Branson style empire!) but don't be frustrated if your turnover doesn't increase year on year. Risk = reward and two heads are always better than one!
So with all this in mind post covid , I will be streamlining my offering at Fromie Gifts and making sure my products and offering ring true to my purpose. I am giving myself time to strategise, and being flexible and supportive to my local community by opening my shop space to Mark Brookes for our 'Meet the Makers' pop up!
Throughout July Frome photographer Mark will be showcasing a variety of work in the shop space. He has photobooks, prints and fine art photography to show and sell. I do hope you will pop in and support him if you can.
I firmly believe opportunity is for everyone
Where's your next opportunity coming from?
From me. To you xx
Images from Holly and Co and Mark Brookes