Could COVID-19
Mean the End for Small Businesses?
By Zach Roozendaal
The world has become a rather strange place within the past year. Obviously, the new way of life that we’ve had to adapt to in these strange and challenging times has come with many losses; not necessarily just the lives of the victims of this unfortunate pandemic, but the livelihoods of many individuals.
Small businesses have been hit hardest in this pandemic aside from human life and that is across many industries. Theaters where screenings of our favourite new films usually play have had to deal with a lack of content being released and made during these times, and stores that have been labeled as “non-essential” have had to deal with the crippling financial issues that have come with having to close their doors. Museums that were once filled with curious people wandering through exhibits have had to close up too, gift shops for those wanting souvenirs have had mixed success. For example, I was in British Columbia last month and made a visit to Banff with my family for a day -- many shops were still opened, but clearly struggling.
Drycleaners and tailors have had limited clients because nobody’s going to need their tux or suits cleaned or fitted for any weddings or business meetings. Unless clients need suits for more somber reasons like wakes or funerals or are attending online business meetings, it’s not like Wal-Mart or Mark’s can’t cover the semi casual office outfit needs.
Bars that once saw many visitors, with ID’s ready in one hand and cash in the other, have had to tell people to turn back and grab a beer from the store. Many breweries have had to deal with the fact that alcohol isn’t deemed an essential, although tell that to any sports fans who have wanted to crack open a cold one on game night, although sports isn’t really happening either, but e-sports are a thing.
This is certainly a hard time for small businesses. Economically speaking, they will be hit the hardest in these hard and challenging times. We could see this as being a new age in which small businesses are either sparse or gone completely.
Shows like “Shark Tank” and “Dragon’s Den” have had wealthy company owners helping out small businesses, but after this pandemic, it may be a long time before we see Mark Cuban offering advice to a young, budding entrepreneur while Kevin O’Leary hurls insults and acts like he’s the Earth’s only genius and everyone else is a cockroach beneath him. However, Shark Tank has been moved to Las Vegas, and the Sharks have been offering up advice to small business owners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep them from tanking.
With that being said, all we can do is hope that big businesses are willing to assist smaller companies and help them stay afloat, especially those that aren’t solely digital stores. Hopefully smaller businesses can get the help that they need, and can continue to thrive for years to come. These businesses were built off dreams, visions and most importantly, hope.
And now, as always, it’s time for my final thought:
Our dreams are what fuel us and give us purpose and in the face of uncertainty and challenge, our dreams are there to help give us hope, even if they seem crazy to everyone else.
Remember to stay home unless you absolutely have to leave, wash and sanitize your hands often, don’t hold gatherings, wear a mask and practice social distancing in public places, follow guidelines, and hold out hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
Until then, this is Zach Roozendaal, signing off. Goodbye for now!
