How will Coronavirus impact your small business?

It’s impossible to say for sure, but one thing’s for certain: your business will be affected.

The truth is that everyone and every business will feel the economic and social impacts of this pandemic so the question you may have at this point is: how much will it actually hurt your business?

Instead of panic or worry, focus on how you can pivot.

I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I want to encourage you to consider how you can react with compassion in a time of uncertainty.

Watch my quick IGTV chat below for some thoughts on how we should proceed!

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I hopped up from my yoga mat this afternoon to share some brief thoughts on how we proceed in our businesses as we face cancellations and uncertainty. (You’ll hear my kiddo scream in the middle of my chat; notice how I do not flinch. ? And good news they were screams of delight.) ❤️ #wereinthistogether

A post shared by Alison Ellis (@realflowerbusiness) on Mar 13, 2020 at 2:33pm PDT

The bottom line: This is not just about your bottom line.

I know this will be really hard on some small businesses, which is why I want to encourage you to consider how you can actually step up to help your community.

Can your flower delivery van bring meals to kids who are out of school or seniors who are staying at home?
Can you make a monetary donation to your local Foodbank or Meals On Wheels to help those who are most vulnerable right now?
Helping others may be of comfort to you, your staff and your family.

On a personal note…

I had my first cancellation due to COVID-19 when my speaking engagement at Koehler & Dramm’s Spring Wedding Show was postponed (but we shall reschedule for September and I will see you there!) and I expect that I may hear some concern from clients over the next few weeks as the United States starts to begin more testing (hopefully), which will reveal a bit more about the scope of the situation.

How this will impact each business and individual is unknown.

I know this isn’t easy, but you are not alone.

Stay well, floralpreneurs.

And be kind to others during this time of uncertainty and various levels of fear….(whether that be the fear of people you feel are “over reacting” or the fear that explains why others are “under reacting” or calling it media hype)…because the idea of a pandemic is hard to fathom.

Mind your health.
Think about your neighbors’ health.
Embrace “social distancing” (aka the word(s) of the year for 2020).

Buckle up for the unknowns that will come with this pandemic.

The Facts…

You may not get sick!
In fact, I truly hope you don’t!…
Yes, wash your hands.
No, this isn’t a “normal flu”.

Fact: Epidemiologists suggest that this is 10x more deadly than a “normal flu”.
So even though 80% of people are expected to make a full recovery from the virus at this point, it’s not comparable to a normal flu (so if you’re under that assumption or you’ve repeated this comparison, you can now change your frame of reference to consider this fact).

Fact: Epidemiologists say that you can transmit the virus EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.
This is one of the reasons COVID-19 has the potential to get “out of control”–you can’t just avoid the sick people because they’re contagious before they’re sick.

Fact: Epidemiologists warn that it’s spread through the air so even though you should wash your hands (duh) that alone will not slow the spread or protect you.

This is why it’s suggested that we limit unnecessary travel and large gatherings….like weddings.
This is why events may be canceled (either BY you or ON you).
This is why we must acknowledge that we are in unfamiliar territory.

Different areas will be and are currently being affected in many different ways. I want to remain hopeful that our individual actions and our efforts as a community will end this uncertainty quickly, but it really is up to US….and I know this isn’t easy.

Again, you are not alone.

With love from me to you,

Alison