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What I’ll Never Take for Granted as a Business Owner

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With the latest COVID-19 pandemic, many business owners went from business as usual in a great economy one minute to a screeching halt the next. I heard from many business owners and their stories were really touching. It goes to the heart of what it means to be a business owner and how we are so much more connected than we think. Here are their responses:

What business owners will never take for granted

“When your business is busy and people have more downtime, most businesses tend to receive reviews pretty regularly. But recently, especially during the last few weeks since the lockdown began, we noticed a significant downturn in the number of reviews we were receiving.. It’s understandable as people have other things to worry about.
So now since the lockdown, whenever we get a review I’m amazed that someone has taken the time amidst all that is happening to take the time and write it. I’ve now grown a real appreciation for this, and we’ve made sure to thank every reviewer personally.”
Sam Williamson, owner of CBDiablo, www.cbdiablo.co.uk

Missing hope

“As a small business owner, one thing I’ll never take for granted again is hope. In a growing economy we all have dreams that the next big thing could be us. Now it’s hard to even have dreams.”

Michael Mason
Owner, Perfect Chaos Films
“I miss being able to pick up my Starbucks order in-store and working from Starbucks. I can still get my order from the drive-thru, but it’s not the same as having the in-store experience. Saying hi to my favorite baristas and checking in with how their day is going. Sitting in my favorite cozy chair as I use the store WiFi to answer work emails, and being surrounded by the quiet hum of conversation from other individuals from all walks of life. That’s one moment I can’t wait to savor all over again once we have found our footing.” — Deborah Sweeney, CEO, MyCorporation.com

Ability to travel

“The flexibility and ability to travel. As a business owner, you are no longer tied to vacation requests for time off or an inability to take work with you. We have a dedicated team in place, the technology to work from any location and can finally travel when the itch hits…until Corona Virus. We have a vacation planned for June to the UK and France to celebrate our 2 graduates (one from College and one from high school). As the corona virus numbers go up, that dream vacation slips farther away.
Secondly, concept delivery is not the same. So much communication is lost online. Two dimensional images, budgets and even spacial references in the design industry can be difficult to convey through technology. While we are accustomed to using every tool available for remote project delivery, it won’t ever be a true replacement for a face to face client to architect interview. “
Jennifer Carlos, CFO Business Manager
Carlos Architects, Inc.

Taking things for granted

There are a few things I’m realizing that I take for granted:

1. That revenue will continue organically. That is clearly not the case as this pandemic continues to hurt businesses. You have to prepare for the unexpected.
2. To relish the good times. Businesses have ups and downs. You really should enjoy the ups as the downs will inevitably happen, whether it’s within your control or not
3. My employees and contract staff are amazing. They are willing to take deferred payments to support the business, even if there is a possibility they might not be paid for their work.
4. Nothing beats face to face. Zoom has been great to stay connected, but nothing compares to the energy and productivity of physically working alongside someone.
5. Everyone balances family life. You often don’t notice this in the office, but you certainly see if when children are popping their faces in video meetings. When we go back to normal, I want to be more thoughtful of this.
Neal Taparia | Solitaired

SEO search traffic

“I took for granted the fact that people were searching for search terms that seem so normal in everyday life, and I never dreamed these everyday terms would be searched less for any reason in the future. After the lockdown started, people have been searching much less for terms that involve going outside, going to restaurants, and living normal lives, which has impacted the SEO and traffic of many sites I work on. I know realize how fragile even something as stable as search volume is and am doing my best to provide new content that diversifies the risk in some of these areas, so there will be less future risk for something like this happening.”

Stacy Caprio
Founder, Growth Marketing
www.acceleratedgrowthmarketing.com

 

 

“The one thing I took for granted was time. We all have the same amount of time but how we use it is different. When times are good, I pay less attention to it because it feels as if everything is perfect. Now, I have an increase in time and am realizing the holes I need to fill. One of them is prioritizing my time. I need to always focus on the money generating activities that will expand my business and then investing in apps and resources that can take care of the mundane tasks.”

Al Wisnefske

www.landandlegacygroup.com

 

Control over your time

“While work and life might seem more mundane when you’re just an employee, and while you have less flexibility and control over your time, the good news is that you are not responsible for everyone else.
When you’re a business owner, it’s obvious that the fate of the company lies in your hands at the end of the day. Plus, there’s minimal options for disconnecting from work, especially when it comes to driving revenue, keeping the business afloat, and making sure your operating procedures are still in place.
While owning a business gives you much more pride of ownership, accomplishment, as well as security and overall fulfillment… it also makes you much more vulnerable to excessive working hours, and experiencing overwhelm and a decline in other areas of your life..
In times of high distress, business owners sometimes wish they could just collect unemployment checks, sleep in, and take extended time away like everyone else.
It’s even tougher when business owners notice friends and family members enjoying “unemployed life” for months at a time, while still collecting paychecks, with minimal responsibility.
When the economy gets tough, business owners have to make tough decisions like cutting costs, or letting go of employees, and doing other things that nobody else wants to do.
Obviously, a bad economy still means business owners are personally responsible, year-round, for keeping a roof over their heads and feeding mouths at home.
And while business owners are typically the highest paid in the company, they usually have limited access to getting unemployment paychecks, low income health insurance, and things of that nature.”
Alex Savy
CEO and Founder | Sleepingocean.com

Being around my team

“It sounds simple, but really I will never take for granted the ability to be around my team in close proximity. Actually going into to the office. Being surrounded by people daily that I consider my extended family. And be able to collaborate with them in person. Having our team breakfasts and lunches. Spoiling someone on their birthday. I will never take all of that for granted. Although we are all still connected through technology, it’s just not the same and I truly miss them.”

Missing the daily routine

 

“I started a global branding and marketing firm 19 years ago in Cambridge, MA. I am very concerned about the spread of this virus and the short and long term impact it will have on the economy. Didn’t think I took anything for granted but I do have to admit now that we are on lockdown. Really miss all the people who are part of my daily flow and routine like the neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops we go to every day or so, gym/exercise class people, etc. I am in great contact with close friends and family now but I miss the folks who I just see regularly who are no longer part of my week. My work is getting done it is just not as fun without the cast of characters who brighten my day who I now realize I took for granted.”
Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO
Mavens & Moguls
Because Marketing MattersTM
paige@mavensandmoguls.com

Communicating with others

“As a business owner, the biggest thing I took for granted was the ability to communicate with others. As a business owner and baker, I take pride in the items I create and I really enjoyed seeing what customers thought about their custom cakes and treats. Since we are now social distancing and only shipping items out now, we started to be more digital focuses to try and gauge our audience better and see how they feel in different ways.”

-Katherine Coyne, CEO, 12 Oaks Desserts

www.12oaksdesserts.com

 

Missing old routines

 

“I believe, ironically, the things I took for granted from the “old days” were the very things I used to not look forward to – leaving my comfy home to go networking. Get dressed up, drive to new locations, and walk into a room where you mostly know no one. Lots of “hi, I’m Susana….” and shaking stranger’s hands and exchanging business cards. Shaking hands! Something we did all the time without a scrap of thought in our heads is now considered to be dangerous and life threatening!

A stranger’s smiling and nodding as you explain what you provide in your business – at the time you wondered how badly you were boring them with your intro – and now I will swear to appreciate every smiling face before me! Sitting down next to strangers at a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting may have caused nervous shyness – now I can’t wait to sit with strangers sharing a meal once again. What a wonderful human connection we had! I look back on days when I looked at my crowded calendar and thought, “I just want to skip this and stay home”. I look forward to a crowded calendar again and won’t take a single event for granted!”

Susana Fonticoba

Clear Path Marketing

There are many things business owners will never take for granted. Covid-19 has taken so much from them. It helps to put things into perspective.