Archive for year: 2021

It’s a venerable adage as applicable today as the first time you probably heard it…

“Sometimes, you do what you have to do to get by.”

It may not sound appealing, but today this sentiment is a reminder that what needs to be done isn’t always what we want to do. However, the underlying message is the need to do the right thing—roll with change and trust the situation will improve.

On the cusp of another school year, parents, teachers, and students are preparing for this annual transition amidst the pandemic. And as if that wasn’t enough, along with this gear shift are the additional stressors we all face.

Wearing masks will be a requirement in most local schools, with some businesses also asking they be worn by staff as well as customers. Granted, most don’t like wearing masks. It just doesn’t feel normal because it isn’t. But a worldwide pandemic is not the norm either, and most people alive today have never lived through one. Isn’t that reason enough to protect ourselves, family and others in this time like none other?

Vaccines, incredulously still a controversial preventative in some quarters, have become requisite in many companies. Despite their overwhelming efficacy, many remain skeptical and let issues of “personal rights” come before thoughts of protecting others. When did it become someone’s right to share a deadly virus?

If you are unvaccinated for whatever reason, please consider getting the vaccine for those around you, from children under 12 to the elderly, to those who have underlying conditions and need additional protection for flagging immune systems.

There is also power in numbers, and in the case of this ongoing pandemic, collaboration and the art of the golden rule is what will make the greatest difference. 

There are many things we do because we have to. We don’t necessarily like it but we do it. Paying taxes and other bills comes to mind, or even shopping for groceries when we’re tired but hungry. 

So instead of being prickly and defensive, consider taking a deep breath and moving on with grit, vision and a renewed sense of humor? Speaking of which, did you hear about the Mom who told her eavesdropping neighbor: “No, I’m not talking to myself, just having a parent-teacher conference…”

We’ll get through this together. And even though it may feel like forever, it’s not.

Better days are ahead….

The past year has wreaked more havoc than a 100-year storm on the world economy, to say nothing of what it has meant to small business owners, the hardest hit.

And though some familiar NW Michigan names and faces will no longer be around when we do emerge from the viral pandemic, it’s not all bad news for small business.

The time tested adage of “from adversity comes opportunity” is reflected among some survivors, many of whom have implemented creative business strategies that a year ago would have seemed unthinkable.

In addition, help on the national level in the form of stimulus checks for individuals, additional PPP loans and enhanced unemployment benefits, have no doubt amped the optimism.

Recent surveys have found that over 20 percent of small business owners are optimistic about what lies ahead, while another 33 percent are somewhat optimistic. And this during a worldwide pandemic, the likes of which has not been experienced since the turn of the century—along with an unstable national political environment marked by disinformation, pusillanimous legislators, and baseless election conspiracy theories.

SCORE, the nationwide (300 chapters and over 10,000 volunteer business mentors), has always been a touchstone for small business entrepreneurs seeking help.

Over the past year it has established a special “Resilence Hub” that leverages its already broad base of services and allows users ready access to a network where people can learn—-from each other and experienced business professionals. And all at no charge.

For more information the northwest’s regional SCORE office is located in Traverse City. Check out their website here: traversecity.score.org.