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We can all agree that social distancing is necessary for the health of our communities, but it's been catastrophic for many small businesses that rely on in-person activities to thrive. From restaurants to gift shops to cleaning services, businesses have had to completely upend their normal strategies to figure out how to survive.

We've researched and spoken to a variety of small businesses around the world to find out what they're doing to get through this uncharted territory. The main takeaway from all of them: flexibility. Things are not business as usual, and everyone is getting creative to make things work. Here are a few strategies that resourceful small businesses are trying during social distancing.

Expand your market

In some cases, your existing clientele just won't be able to make use of your products or services. For example, Cleaning service Aman for Home services had to find new clients because their regular customers understandably didn't want people coming into their homes.

Instead, they told us, they began offering sterilization and disinfection services for entrances of buildings that were still in use. The demand isn't as high as normal, but it allows them to continue operating during this unprecedented period.

Similarly, many local distilleries have shifted to making hand sanitizer. Some, like Litchfield Distillery in Connecticut, are giving it away for free, which serves as a great marketing strategy to increase loyalty down the road. Others, like Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire, are selling sanitizer in order to keep their business operating during the crisis. It's going so well that they're actually selling out.

Consider new ways to deliver your product or service

Many dine-in restaurants and bars are offering online ordering and curbside pickup. But other brick-and-mortar businesses need something more personal.

When your business model involves people coming in to browse or interact with you, you need to figure out how to make that happen virtually. La De Da! gift shop in suburban Chicago is all about offering personalized recommendations for gifts. People don't come in knowing what they want-they browse, and they rely on the owner, Jill Carlisle, to point them in the right direction.

With social distancing in full swing, Jill now has customers complete a Google Form, mimicking the kinds of questions she'd ask when a customer walks in or calls her. From there, she can work with the customer virtually to find the perfect gift.

Necker's Toyland, a toy store in Simsbury, Connecticut, that's been in business since 1948, also had to get creative. They're offering a FaceTime browsing option, virtually walking kids around the store, so they can pick out something that'll keep them busy during quarantine. Then they're offering curbside pickup or delivery to nearby towns.

Service-oriented businesses are doing something similar. McAlister Training in San Luis Obispo, California, like many fitness studios, has taken its classes virtual. They've also taken the opportunity to expand their market, offering classes for kids who are at home with some energy to burn. And the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, is offering online tours of the historic-and strange-landmark.

By offering your services online, you retain existing customers during social distancing, while also potentially opening your market to people outside of your geographic area.

Partner with other businesses

Some struggling businesses, like Metro Bis restaurant in suburban Connecticut, are partnering with other, less-affected businesses. Metro Bis has been selling prepared meals at a local grocery store to make up for the lack of business in-house. This partnership gives them a way to safely serve their customers.

At the same time, some struggling businesses are teaming up with each other. City Home, a home decor and design business out of Portland, Oregon, has partnered with a local florist to offer an incentive to customers.

Three City Home customers will receive a surprise bouquet from local florist Old Town Florist with their delivery. For City Home, the promotion serves as an incentive to purchase. But Old Town Florist benefits, too: it's a new marketing channel, targeting customers who have a vested interest in home decor and would be likely to purchase flowers to brighten a room.

Stay connected with your customers

Your customers may not be buying from you right now, but you'll need them more than ever once things settle down and they can come back to you in person. That's why it's so important to stay connected through virtual channels. Here are a few ways to make that happen.

1. Send an email
Email your customers to let them know how they can get your product or service during this time. Are you doing curbside pickup? Offering virtual consults?

2. Update your website
Of course, an email will only reach the people whose contact info you have. For everyone else, you need to update your website.

Folks who come to your website need to know what you are-or aren't-offering. If you're still operating in some way, make that clear front and center on your homepage, so you don't miss out on potential business. If you're completely out of commission, let people know why: by showing that you're prioritizing the safety of your employees and community, people might be more likely to support you when things settle down.

Don't have a website? Create a Facebook page to get some visibility and give people insight into what you're up to.

3. Ask for ideas
No one knows better what your customers want than your customers themselves. Everyone is dealing with social distancing differently, so it can benefit you to just ask-what do folks want from your business right now?

Liz Morrow, a creative interior designer out of Tacoma, Washington, took to Instagram to ask people what they'd like her help with.

Letting your customers guide your crisis strategy ensures that you're providing products and services people want. Plus, it allows you to continue to market and connect with your customers even when they're not coming into your store.

Invest now in your business's future

While business is slow, you can use the time to figure out what you can streamline for when your business is back in action.

For starters, identify what processes you can automate. If you're not sure where to start, there are a few kinds of tasks that are ripe for automation:

Tasks you have to do frequently or on a schedule

Tasks that involve moving information between apps

Boring tasks that don't require higher-order thinking

Tasks that take you away from what you really want to be doing

Automating your processes will help you now if you're short-staffed, but it'll also pay dividends in the long run.

George Kontos, cofounder and CEO of Marshmallow Streaming, found a bottleneck in his business when managing customers across multiple applications including Salesforce, QuickBooks, and Google Drive. He decided to use the slow period to automate some of those tasks.

By investing in this effort during this slowdown period, we have positioned ourselves to be more successful and efficient when business picks back up.

Another way to invest now for future gains is through your content marketing. Creating high quality content is something you can do by yourself, on your own schedule. You can send it to your email list and post it on social, keeping your customers engaged during social distancing. But it will also serve you in the long run, especially if you keep SEO in mind.

Corrie Beth Hogg, an author and master maker, got creative with her content marketing. She created a free coloring page that people could print out and color during quarantine.

Because folks are spending more time online during social distancing, now is a great time to offer this kind of content: it's a marketing channel for you and a benefit to your fans and potential customers.

This is an unprecedented time for small businesses, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Try some of the strategies above, and don't forget that there are small business relief programs available, including SBA loans and other funds.

This article originally appeared in Zapier and is reprinted with permission.

The final deadline for Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.

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5 creative ways small businesses are succeeding during the COVID-19 quarantine

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As coronavirus quarantines have forced many to close their doors, these small businesses have come up with ways to continue to serve customers and expand their offerings.

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Every small business owner has their own unique story, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic each business owner's unique business model, mission and personality reflect in the ways they have pivoted in the face of temporary closures, government regulations and altered consumer demands. From hair salons and dance studios to food trucks and dairy farms, these five small business owners share their personal stories of how COVID-19 has dramatically changed not only their businesses but also their hopes for the future.

Dominik Mager, owner of The Club by DM, a Harlem, New York-based salon, with his team of creative stylists. - Krista Njapa

The biggest challenge facing my business right now: keeping everyone healthy and safe. After being closed for three months, the entire team is so excited to be back at work and the energy in the salon is extremely positive. It's so important that we maintain a clean and sterile environment as we welcome our loyal clients back into the salon. All of our hair stylists and clients are wearing masks and the staff are sanitizing and conducting temperature checks. I want our customers to have confidence and know that I am going above and beyond to keep everyone safe. After months of social distancing, the act of getting your hair styled and cut by a stylist can feel like such a luxury and our clients have been so appreciative of our services. Follow The Club by DM on Instagram: @theclubbydm.

Fanny Gonzalez, president of Corazon Latino Dance Studio in Austin, Texas. - Fanny Gonzalez

The biggest challenge facing my business right now: quite literally everything - from running the business and making ends meet to following the local health regulations and holding classes at limited capacity. I closed the studio for three months and shifted to an online class model, and I continue to offer a hybrid of in-person and online offerings. The studio went from having 18 instructors before the pandemic to only 7 employees. With social distancing measures in effect and only a handful of students in the classes, it's challenging to pay rent and all of the bills as well as the instructors. It is my hope that the studio's heart keeps beating strongly and we continue to empower people with the rhythm of Latino music that encourages dance and fitness as a way to live a healthy life. Follow Corazon Latino Dance Studio on Instagram: @corazonlatinoz.

Gerard and Brittney Klass, co-owners of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Soul Bowl, with their team. - Soul Bowl

Gerard Klass, co-owner, Soul Bowl

The biggest challenge facing my business right now: staying open. The restaurant brings soul food to quick service and we cater to the diverse dietary needs of the community. My wife and I came from steady corporate jobs in the restaurant industry. The pandemic hit when we were only 6 months into our journey as a brick-and-mortar location at a collective of food businesses. We provide a livelihood to our employees and our families and we found ourselves redoing our entire business model. We had finally opened a location last year and only a few months later had to switch to a takeout and delivery model and adapt quickly. We also launched the 'Food for your Soul' free meal program in March to support local families in need by providing over 5,000 meals. We are supporting the Black community by staying open and providing nutritious food. With our skills and our business, we want to use our resources to help and not just sit on the sidelines. We continue to feed volunteers, deliver meals to families in need and sponsor meals. Follow Soul Bowl on Instagram: @soulbowlmn.

. Mark McConnell and Cecilia Rikard, co-owners of Off the Rez and Via Tribunali in Seattle, Washington. - Jeff Few

The biggest challenge facing my business: getting people comfortable with eating out in public again. I own and operate the Off the Rez food truck and cafe and most recently a pizza business. The pandemic shifted how we run our business at a time when we were phasing out the food truck. We were initially shut down for weeks until we partnered with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and began serving meals to the healthcare workers from our food truck. Safety is a priority for our employees and customers, so we maintain stringent monitoring and sanitization protocols. Now outdoor dining is allowed and the food truck is back at the breweries. We are also looking at neighborhoods for the truck where many people are working from home. I am also taking over a family pizza business and am finding the downtown area to be a ghost town. Pizza is a comfort food and the ultimate grab-and-go item and I hope that the neighborhood will get back to normal soon. Follow Off the Rez and Via Tribunali on Instagram: @offtherez & @viatrib.

Meg and Kevin Stuedeman, owners of Derrydale Farm in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. - Derrydale Farm

The biggest challenge facing my business right now: scheduling delays with our small meat processor. We have been fortunate that the pandemic has not affected us negatively. Our farm is home to approximately 175 animals. Our dairy is sold to a food co-op which serves consumers instead of the food service industry and sets the price of milk for the year. For us, things have changed very little and we are so fortunate due to our (small) scale and production. We use a small meat processor that can handle up to 40 animals per week. Our animals are on the waitlist and will go to processing later than scheduled. Although things don't look much different here compared to life before the pandemic, consumers are now asking important questions about food policy and security. The food waste that resulted from the closing of businesses, schools, restaurants and hotels is staggering. Food banks can absorb only so much, especially at a time when many Americans are struggling to put food on the table. The pandemic has been a wakeup call for American consumers and I hope that the good repercussions are here to stay.

For more resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
CO- aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation. Follow us on Instagram for more expert tips & business owners stories.
Published August 07, 2020

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Coronavirus Challenges for Small Businesses [Interview]

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Every small business owner has their own unique story, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic each business owner's unique business model, mission and personality reflect in the ways they have pivoted in the face of temporary closures, government regulations and altered consumer demands.

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By following the links below "Helping You Recover," you can find resources to help your situation if you are a musician or artist, run a small business or are a sole proprietor, or need housing assistance!

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Helping You Recover

Use the ConnectATX box to find COVID-19 services by ZIP code:

Recent Economic Recovery News

City of Austin Dashboards for COVID-19 Economic Recovery Programs

The City of Austin Economic Development Department published several dashboards for several economic recovery programs administered by the department. These dashboards display information such as the number of applications received for each program, profiles of applicants (minus personal information), and approval and denial rates. Click the links below to view the program dashboards.

Email ATXrecovers@austintexas.gov for more information about these dashboards and the grant programs.

Current Control Orders and Emergency Rules

Information is provided at the City of Austin's COVID-19 website regarding state and local orders and rules that have been issued during COVID-19, including the Austin-Travis County "Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe" Orders and Health Authority Emergency Rules.

Gov. Abbott Expands Capacity For Certain Services In Texas, Announces Guidance For Nursing Home, Long-Term Care Visitations

On September 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Orders expanding occupancy levels for restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums, and libraries, and re-authorizing elective surgeries for a majority of the state of Texas. The Governor also announced new visitation guidance for eligible nursing homes, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, home and community-based service providers, and inpatient hospice effective Thursday, September 24th.

Under the new orders:

Restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms, exercise facilities and classes, museums, and libraries can now increase occupancy levels to 75%.

Residents will be allowed to designate up to two essential family caregivers who will be provided necessary training to allow them to safely go inside a facility for a scheduled visit, including in the resident's room, to help ensure their loved one's physical, social, and emotional needs are being met.

For more information on the Governor's orders and regulations, visit the Texas Coronavirus Resources and Response Page.

The City of Austin and Travis County extended the "Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe" Orders through December 15, 2020. These orders direct Austin-Travis County residents to continue to practice social distancing, hygiene, and face-covering behaviors. In addition to hygiene guidelines, the orders state that social gatherings up to 10 people should be avoided or minimized, and socializing in groups of 10+ individuals outside of the same household are prohibited. Read the full City of Austin and Travis County orders.

Return to School Information

The Austin-Travis County Health Authority adopted new emergency rules that relate to reopening schools to promote the health and safety of Austin-Travis County residents in the fight against COVID-19. Learn more about the guidance and resources for returning to school online.

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Helping You Recover Use the ConnectATX box to find COVID-19 services by ZIP code: City of Austin Dashboards for COVID-19 Economic Recovery Programs The City of Austin Economic Development Department published several dashboards for several economic recovery programs administered by the department.

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With their customers under lockdown, shops shuttered, cashflow drying up and their staff on furlough, they wonder how they're going to survive.

But amid all these threats, some companies are finding ways to forge ahead.

Big and small, the following firms are all taking advantage of new commercial opportunities.

Stitch & Story

A company that began as a "kitchen-table start-up" is one of the businesses that is booming during the coronavirus pandemic.

Stitch & Story is an online crafts firm with just 11 full-time employees, selling materials and providing tutorials for people who want to learn how to knit and crochet.

It has seen huge growth in recent weeks.

Co-founder Jennifer Lam told the BBC that she and her business partner, Jen Hoang, started the business seven years ago with the aim of inspiring a new generation of millennials to learn knitting and crocheting skills.

"When we started, crafting was seen as really old-fashioned and people just didn't understand how to do it," she said.

But now, especially with so many people on lockdown, interest has soared.

"Sales are surging, up massively. We had an 800% increase in March alone compared to the same period last year," she said.

"It's just something that's perfect to do now. So many people are sick of working on screens and being on their phones all the time. Crafting is seen as a break from that.

"It's just so rewarding to make something from scratch."

Tone & Sculpt

Fitness entrepreneur Krissy Cela launched her app-based workout and nutrition guides as a subscription service in January 2019, with the aim of creating a "global community of like-minded women" who wanted to keep in shape.

"People were very sceptical at first because the traditional way is to go to the gym and hire a trainer," she says. "However, that can be very expensive."

Now, of course, going to a gym is out of the question so her Tone & Sculpt app is reaching new levels of popularity.

"We've seen growth of 88% in downloads during April compared with last year," she says. "Turnover has literally tripled in the last year."

Ms Cela says her home-based exercise routines are "helping people to stay on track" at a time when "a lot of people are finding it difficult even to stay mentally positive".

With promotion of the app spreading largely by word of mouth and social media, she and her team of 17 employees are delighted with the surge in interest.

"It just goes to show that you don't need fancy equipment, which can be overwhelming," she says. "We have to make do with our homes and what we can find around us."

Laithwaite's Wine

Despite the lockdown, people are still finding ways to remain convivial, and family-run wine delivery business Laithwaite's Wine has been helping them to do just that.

The company says it has seen a big rise in sales of prosecco - up 117% year-on-year during April - and it has noticed that smaller half-bottle and quarter-bottle sizes are the most popular.

"People are on Zoom having a glass with friends and the smaller formats are a little bit more sociable," company spokesman Andrew Stead told the BBC.

"We believe that wine's role is to keep people together, and if people are coming together at a distance, they're still coming together."

More generally, Laithwaite's has seen a 300% rise in new customers year-on-year in March and April.

"People are avoiding supermarkets and we're still delivering within two to three days," said Mr Stead.

"We're seeing a level of sales we would normally associate with Christmas. Our sales at the moment are about double what we would expect for this time of year."

He added that the firm had been receiving positive feedback from customers, but also from wineries thanking it for keeping their businesses going.

"That makes us feel we're doing our bit to help everyone staying in."

For those who aren't concerned with staying smart and trim or acquiring new craft skills, coronavirus confinement offers the chance to just slump on the sofa and watch television.

That's where media streaming services come in - and Netflix, for one, has seen subscriber numbers surge this year.

Almost 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of the year, the firm said.

That is nearly double the number of new sign-ups it saw in the final months of 2019.

However, the firm's popularity and profitability depends on offering exclusive access to hit TV series and movies that people want to watch.

And coronavirus is hampering its ability to come up with new programming, since production shutdowns have halted "almost all" filming around the world.

However, entertainment industry experts do not see that as a major issue right now.

"Netflix is and will continue to be the media company least impacted by Covid-19," said eMarketer analyst Eric Haggstrom. "Its business is a near perfect fit to a population that is suddenly housebound."

Fashion businesses have faced a series of setbacks during the coronavirus pandemic.

Their global supply chains were an asset in happier times, allowing them to source clothes cheaply and swiftly.

But now they are stuck with orders coming from the other side of the world that will struggle to find customers.

Boohoo, for one, has found a way to adapt to the new normal. If people aren't venturing much outside their front doors any more, what kinds of clothes do they still need?

"People aren't really buying going-out items, but they are buying homewear - hoodies, joggers, tracksuit bottoms," a Boohoo spokesperson told the BBC.

"Sales of tops have gone up in particular, with everyone wanting to look smart on Zoom calls."

As a result, the firm has seen a year-on-year rise in sales during April, at a time when rivals have reported a collapse in demand.

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Coronavirus: Five firms booming despite the lockdown

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With their customers under lockdown, shops shuttered, cashflow drying up and their staff on furlough, they wonder how they're going to survive. But amid all these threats, some companies are finding ways to forge ahead. Big and small, the following firms are all taking advantage of new commercial opportunities.

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In this pandemic time, running a small business has been a make-it-up-as-they-go-along trial without an end.

The novel coronavirus forced strategic business pivots and the immediate invention of new ways to make money when much of the economy shut down in March.

Work was done in backyards, cramped lofts, even cars. Good lighting, plentiful space and ergonomically correct surroundings became a vague memory. Colleagues had to search for new stores of patience amid child tantrums and barking dogs.

Restaurants, bars and retail operations have been hardest hit since March, according to user data compiled by Yelp Inc., the San Francisco-based review site. Service providers have proved resilient, whether professional such as accountants and lawyers, or general, including plumbers and towing companies, Yelp said.

More than half of small businesses could be in danger of failing if coronavirus-related operating restrictions continue and more government aid isn't forthcoming, accord to the National Assn. of Independent Business, an advocacy group.

Many firms will keep their doors open because of adaptation, determination and a certain amount of luck. Others face permanent closure because something came up short: money, time, maybe the will to keep going.

Here are some of their stories:
Giving financial guidance from the driveway Switching to yoga retreats, outdoor dining buildouts Meeting the virtual world with acquired allies Going all-in on remote work, maybe forever

Giving financial guidance from the driveway

As at so many other companies, big and small, Belva Anakwenze, 43, and her four employees have kept Abacus Financial Business Management going from hastily assembled home office spaces at kitchen tables, bedroom nightstands, back porches and the like.

Anakwenze, Abacus' principal and business manager, has taken appropriately distanced client meetings in the driveway, and so far none of the neighbors in her gated community have complained. Sometimes, it's in the backyard, as she adjusts to the schedules of her husband and sons.

She's made sharp pivots in the past, such as when she changed her client base from professional athletes, who weren't good at following advice, to entertainment industry talent, including actors, directors, producers and writers. For them and their closely held companies, Abacus handles the day-to-day financial affairs as well as helps them plan and invest.

Anakwenze is still taking on new business, increasing the number of clients by about half, but the entertainment industry's long shutdown means that many new and old clients haven't been able to pay yet as restrictions have only just begun to loosen.

It's a risk, she knows: Profits are down 10% to 15% so far this year, although a small loan helped from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, designed to help businesses during the pandemic.

"We make money when they make money," Anakwenze said of her clients.

At the same time, accounting software and other costs have increased. And Anakwenze is paying rent for an office that she hasn't really used since March. When the lease expired in August, she took the risk of extending it through the end of the year, albeit with declining hopes.

Online messaging with her employees stretches into the wee hours, even though participants are nearby.

"I have an employee working at midnight, because it's the quiet time; the kids are finally asleep," Anakwenze said. "I have one putting hours in on weekends, when there's no home schooling. So, it's not a weekday, 9-to-5 job. And not being able to just talk to someone at the next desk, that lack of free-flowing questions and getting answers, has been a real challenge."

She's even gotten used to employees suddenly hanging up on her.

"When their child is having a meltdown, you go deal with the meltdown," Anakwenze said with a laugh.

"We're trying to take this thing one month at a time and just see. Is it going to clear up? Is it going to get worse? So, we're just trying to buy time and stay as nimble as we possibly can," Anakwenze said.

Switching to yoga retreats, outdoor dining buildouts

Over the last 18 years, Natalie McAdams built Mar Vista-based NAMEvents beyond helping plan product launches, fashion shows and premieres, adding mega-happenings to raise money for nonprofits, including City of Hope,Heal the Bay and U.S. Veterans Initiative, a housing and service provider.

Each event was a closely packed, in-person affair with up to 10,000 participants. No more.

"No one was thinking it would go past July. But then it was like dominoes, every piece of business that I had was canceled by mid-April," she said.

McAdams, 56, has had to seek out other ways to make money. She received PPP money, enough to last 12 weeks, which she has been able to use to pay herself because she proved to the government that she was also working as an independent contractor, not just as the head of a company.

McAdams has kept her business lean. She works from home, avoiding overhead for office space. She keeps her payroll low, and isn't carrying one now because of lessons learned during the Great Recession, which stretched from December 2007 to June 2009.

"Usually it's me and I'll bring on a few freelance people to work as my staff," she said. "There could easily be 50 to 75 people working on a project at any given time. I have trusted partners I use for all the different elements."

To generate income now, she's channeled her leisure-hours yoga passion, which she has practiced for more than 20 years, into small, virus-screened retreats using the event planning skills she honed for big social gatherings.

McAdams recently conducted the first of several planned yoga and wellness retreats, with professional instruction and catered meals, costing $1,500 to $2,250 a person. Eight women gathered at her parents' Aspen, Colo., vacation home on a Wednesday night and wrapped up on a Sunday, and all involved were screened for the virus.

"I've been on thousands of yoga and wellness retreats and I've always wanted that to be something I could produce as well," McAdams said. "The idea was to make a safe space for a small intimate group of people. I think it can give people a sense that they really can get away somewhere safe and just recharge."

McAdams also has been working with the Beverly Center's Angler restaurant to create an outdoor dining area.

"It's similar to the temporary spaces we built for events, but permanent," she said.

Many of her charity clients are hoping to start holding in-person fundraisers by June, McAdams said.

"There's still a lot of management things that I'm doing for those events because we've put venues on hold. We booked things then which would be into the fall that now we're moving to the spring," she said.

But McAdams doubts it will be the same even after the virus problem has been solved.

"Things will be different," she said. "I think that people will be doing much smaller events, at least at the beginning."

Meeting the virtual world with acquired allies

The first hint of disaster came on Feb. 3, when a major trade group for event planners told members to check whether their insurance policies covered communicable diseases.

Joe Davy, the 31-year-old chief executive of Banzai International Inc., was concerned. Seattle-based Banzai, which hosted and marketed 66 in-person conferences and other events in the Los Angeles area in 2019, had more than 100 clients, including Dell Technologies and Adobe Inc.

By March 13, "our entire sales pipeline was gone," Davy said.

Only 13% of the company's revenue came from internet meetings, an afterthought at Banzai and many of its competitors, Davy said. The rest was from face-to-face, press-the-flesh, meet-and-greet events.

Not knowing whether in-person gatherings would come back in six months or two years, Davy and his executive team decided not to wait to shift the company's focus to virtual events. PPP money helped the company keep operating.

But there was a problem: Banzai had little expertise with virtual events. So it acquired a small company that did, High Attendance of Austin, Texas. "We were really going to have to take a risk, make an acquisition before we were 100% certain that any of this was necessary," Davy said.

Striking the deal took 72 hours of talks between Davy and Christopher Justice, founder of High Attendance, which began on June 12 and ran through the weekend. The two had never met in person.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, was announced on Aug. 25. High Attendance was renamed Banzai Virtual and it has maintained its management structure. Business for the company has been on the rise, Davy said, and Banzai now has 90 employees, including about 10 from the acquisition.

Banzai's calendar is heavily booked with virtual events, including for big tech names Google and Hitachi.

"Our volume of events has nearly doubled," Davy said. "It was really fortunate that we were able to respond so quickly because this could have been a huge disaster for us. If we had done nothing and just decided to wait it out, we would be dead."

Going all in on remote work, maybe forever

Greg Goetzman, 58, isn't much of a gambler, which is probably a good thing because his company helps other firms keep their financial houses in order.

But when the coronavirus sent people home, he quickly placed a bet on a template for the post-COVID 19 workplace: as many as half of his employees regularly working from home and collaborating with the main office.

Woodland Hills-based Goetzman Group, with nearly 100 employees, competes with larger accounting and consulting firms and temp agencies. Goetzman said he realized that he needed to carefully outfit his employees to keep getting the job done, with equipment and systems to connect and communicate safely and effectively.

"When we go into companies, we need to perform from Day 1," Goetzman said. "So we'll deploy as many resources as necessary in order to help our people have what they need to be successful with our clients."

(Betsy Annas / Goetzman Group)

Goetzman didn't know whether his employees would adjust well to working from home or whether clients would switch to bigger rivals. But employees and clients have embraced the change, he said.

"I haven't seen a drop in work quality. I think there's a real revolution of thought in seeing the value of people working from home," Goetzman said. "We are fortunate that our consultants are flexible and accustomed to working from different locations, therefore, they were prepared and there were no issues transitioning to working remotely."

"We are changing the way we do business," he said. "It's going to be some blend of working from home and work from the office. We maybe had 20% of our employees working remotely before COVID. It's closer to 100% now. I think we will end up somewhere in the middle of that."

Goetzman said his company's workload was increasing - although revenue is down slightly so far this year - whether his clients were succeeding in getting back to business or struggling to determine if they could remain viable.

The changes have been quite a pivot for Goetzman and his 22-year-old firm. Over the years, his company has built up a list of clients including Amgen, Walt Disney Co. and Toyota. But that was done the old-school way.

"It's challenging now because there isn't that personal connection," Goetzman said. "My company was built on me being able to look somebody in the eye and talk to them about our services and learn about their companies. A phone call or a Zoom just doesn't feel the same."

Perhaps that's why Goetzman says he has returned to an old habit, writing appreciative letters to clients, with an ink pen, in longhand.

"It gets a personal message across in a way that an email or a phone call or a message may not," he said. "It's you taking the time to really give some deeper thought to the business relationship and what it means to you."

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Adaptation, determination, luck: How four small businesses are surviving the pandemic

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In this pandemic time, running a small business has been a make-it-up-as-they-go-along trial without an end. The novel coronavirus forced strategic business pivots and the immediate invention of new ways to make money when much of the economy shut down in March. Work was done in backyards, cramped lofts, even cars.

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We're here to help you overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. We offer multiple funding options for those seeking relief. Read more below.

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From digital marketing to online delivery services, there are several needs that the pandemic has sparked among consumers. - Getty Images/PeopleImages

Starting a business during a pandemic might not seem like an ideal endeavor, but it actually could be a great entrepreneurial decision. While there are many COVID-inspired business ideas sprouting in the business world today, there are many ways "traditional" businesses can be adapted during COVID-19. As an entrepreneur, if you understand and adapt to your challenges, you could start a thriving business during this pandemic.

Here are six pandemic-friendly business ideas to consider.

Online consulting business

No matter what your professional background is, you have knowledge and expertise to pass on to others. From professional skills such as supply chain management or finance to lifestyle skills such as music classes or dietician consultancy, you can advise others in just about any skill you have knowledge in.

Start an online consulting business where you can connect with clients and offer them insight as to how they can scale and improve their business. Become an expert in how COVID-19 is changing business trends in your industry and familiarize yourself with the new tax changes and legislations. With this information in mind, you can help guide other businesses through the pandemic to ensure their stability. Combined with your professional insight, they'll be succeeding in no time.

Digital marketing agency

With constantly new and emerging apps and websites, knowing how to market a client digitally is an incredibly valuable asset. Businesses are constantly looking for agencies who can help them cut through the noise and stand out against their competitors online. Create a digital marketing agency that offers clients content marketing, social media, SEO services, paid and targeted advertising, analytics, web design and consulting. Having a robust agency that includes some or all of these services is very appealing to clients and the more success you have with them, the more clients you'll get.

Graphic design firm

Graphic design is a hot commodity for any business. Most companies want to stand out with their graphics, but don't have the in-house capabilities to do so. Whether it be their logo, event graphics or professional materials, companies need sleek and professional-looking designs. And with social media becoming such an important part of marketing, brands constantly need new and eye-catching graphics on their feeds to continue to stay relevant. Sometimes you'll have long-standing clients and other times it will just be one freelance project. Regardless of the workload, graphic design is constantly in need.
[Read: Starting Over? 7 Resources for Rebuilding Your Business From the Ground Up]
App developer

The coronavirus caught many companies off guard with no way to conduct their business online. Now many are struggling to find an efficient way to connect with customers on a digital platform. As an app developer, you can help businesses adjust to the coronavirus and the shutdowns it causes by creating apps to help them reach their customers. Not only do businesses need an app or online presence to survive during the pandemic, they also need apps to continue to grow in a digital age.

Drop shipping

With people safer staying indoors, online delivery services are at an all-time high. These services mostly cover meals, groceries and pharmaceutical goods, but there is a market for services that deliver miscellaneous commodities. Focus on starting a business that centers on goods that are not readily available through these services. Work with your local businesses to deliver their goods right from the store or supplier directly to the customer.

You can also focus on starting a hyperlocal delivery system that is more efficient and cheaper than the mainstream services. By working with only a certain area, you can understand the cost of doing business there as well as learn about your clients and their buying habits to better inform your business.

Fitness and wellness programs
[Read: CO- aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation. Follow us on Instagram for more expert tips & business owners' stories. 3 COVID-19 Reopening Challenges - and Solutions - for Your Business]
The coronavirus has caused people to work at home and stay inside most of the day. This combined with the anxiety that stems from a pandemic has led to a loss in routine, with people no longer working out, drinking more alcohol and generally taking care of themselves less. Now more than ever people need extra motivation. There aren't gyms to get you to leave the house and work on your body and staying inside all day can make you feel isolated and stressed.

Fitness and wellness content have become increasingly popular during the pandemic, as people need the extra boost and inspiration to help them get going. If you have a background in health, exercise, and wellness, start creating content to help people better themselves and get out of a funk. Blogs and articles are a great way to share recipes and work out routines that people can easily do from home with little to no experience. Start filming the ways you decompress, be it cooking, exercising, meditating, stretching or just talk about health habits in general. Once you have the completed video, edit it, add music and upload it to YouTube and IGTV to share with your audience. If you've built a dedicated following, you can work with your audience to create personalized workouts and diets for them, at a cost.

Published September 28, 2020

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Starting a business during a pandemic might not seem like an ideal endeavor, but it actually could be a great entrepreneurial decision. While there are many COVID-inspired business ideas sprouting in the business world today, there are many ways "traditional" businesses can be adapted during COVID-19.

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Learn more about free advertising, free advice, and other loan options available to you & your business

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As the COVID-19 causes widespread economic disruption, Austin is not immune.

Local government, business and nonprofit leaders are already stepping up to offer resources during this tough time. They range from low-interest loans from City Hall to free services offered by tech and advertising companies.
Know of additional resources available for business? Email Managing Editor Will Anderson at wanderson@bizjournals.com; this list is being updated as more resources become available.
* Austin City Hall has approved a local economic injury loan program that can provide up to $35,000 to businesses impacted by the coronavirus. It is intended as bridge financing to help companies remain afloat while awaiting Small Business Administration loans. The loan program received federal approval April 9.

* The city of Austin Economic Development Department  has a  Family Business Loan Program that could also help those hurt by the pandemic.

* Nonprofits looking for advice during the pandemic can access free online classes, workshops and other resources through the Center for Nonprofit Studies at Austin Community College. Almost all fees for online learning through the center have been suspended through May 31. For more, go here.

* CareerPlug launched its Hire Up initiative to help businesses hire and jobseekers find jobs during the pandemic. New clients signing up for CareerPlug will now get two months free use of its hiring software as well as 30 days of Zip Recruiter sponsored jobs. To learn more, go here. The company explained its rational on its website: "Just as many businesses have been forced to scale back their operations, let employees go, or even shut their doors, millions have also filed for unemployment recently. This means an unprecedented number of talented people are now on the market."

* Ground Labs, an Austin company specializing in data discovery, is now making its software available for free for 90 days. The free version of the tool, called Enterprise Recon NOW, can help "provide organizations with an enhanced data discovery and risk management solution," the company said, especially with many businesses now in remote work environments. For more, go here.

* Restaurants and other businesses dependent on in-person customers are facing significant revenue declines. One way they could make up some of those lost sales is through gift cards. Austin's Clear Launch, Notley and Sabot Development Ltd. have partnered to create LocalSupportCard.com, a website where customers can search for and purchase gift cards. The partners said businesses that don't already have gift card sales can get free support to set them up. Austin businesses such as the restaurant Loro and Vista Brewing are already on the site, and businesses are also listed in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

* E-commerce software maker Volusion is offering some of its tools for free for a year to brick-and-mortar retailers. It recently launched a program called Curbside VOLT that can help retail businesses do things like set up an e-commerce operation or begin curbside pick-up. For more, go here.

* Workforce Solutions Capital Area has created an online database of companies hiring right now, from construction to tech.

* Austin Community Foundation has a pair of initiatives to help hurting businesses. The first, Stand With Austin, is a $400,000 fund dedicated to nonprofits helping individuals and small businesses affected by the cancellation of South by Southwest. The second, All Together ATX, is a broader partnership with United Way for Greater Austin intended to provide grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits working locally to help those who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

* Businesses in the Red River Cultural District have set up an emergency relief fund called Banding Together to help service and hospitality workers. Applications are open online.

* ZenBusiness has pledged $10 million in response to the coronavirus pandemic - in the form of both domain names for new businesses and $1,000 grants for small businesses. ZenBusiness helps others with the basics of starting a company, like corporate formation documents, legal compliance, finances and more. CEO Ross Buhrdorf also said that the company would not cut any jobs in 2020.

* Khorus said April 9 its flagship strategic planning software for chief executives is now available for free for businesses of all sizes. The software has features like talent management capabilities, a dynamic organizational chart and goal setting and tracking. "Our mission is to make our customers the best-run organizations on earth," Khorus CEO Joel Trammell said in a statement. "We are so serious about that mission that we plan to fulfill it even if it means not making a ton of money in the process. As so many businesses are in crisis, we decided to make Khorus entirely free from now on - the fully featured product, no strings."

* Upland Software Inc., which makes a wide variety of work management software, is hosting a free webinar series called Connected Through Change, aimed at informing customers as well as the wider public about working in the coronavirus era. The first episodes will tackle effective communication for nonprofits, media and retail/restaurant businesses; for more info, go here.

* TeleVet is offering its veterinary telemedicine free for one month to vet clinics across the country during the pandemic. TeleVet estimated there are about 35,000 veterinary clinics in the U.S. serving more than 160 million pets. The company said its product can help veterinarians "continually provide care without violating distancing rules or risking exposure in the metro areas most affected by the virus."

* Monroe & Weisbrod, an Austin-based telemedicine psychiatry company, is offering its product for free to medical professionals.

* Round Rock-based software company Owner Insite, which helps organizations manage construction projects, is offering two of its products free for a year to any organization fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. One product offered handles budgeting, accounting, communications, and project management; the other is designed to manage receiving, disseminating and tracking product requests. Follow this link to apply for free access to either product.

* Tilted Chair, an Austin advertising and marketing agency, is offering free marketing services to any company affected by COVID-19 in an effort it's labeling Brand Together. "This includes assisting with merchandise design, social media consultation, ad creation, online ordering integration, logo design, and more," according to Tilted Chair.

* Austin digital marketing agency BriteIdea Marketing Group is offering its services at no cost for Austin businesses for the next month, President Danielle Ryan told Austin Business Journal in a March 20 email. Potential services could include email or social media marketing in support of new delivery or curbside pickup options, Ryan said. Click this link to learn more or to apply for help.

* The Shared Work program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission is an alternative to layoffs for businesses that need to cut expenses. Under the program, employers can cut weekly work hours by 10% to 40% and the affected workers receive partial unemployment benefits.

* National Instruments Corp., an Austin-based company that makes engineering testing equipment, said March 19 all of its online engineering courses will be free through April 30.

* Zello said it will make its push-to-talk app free for all first responders around the globe. The company's app essentially turns smart phones into walkie-talkies. First responders in the United States could previously use the professional version of the app for free through the Zello for First Responder program but now the program has been extended worldwide.

* Lifesize Inc., an Austin-based video and audio telecommunications company, has made its video conferencing service free to all types of businesses for the next six months - for customers and non-customers alike. CEO Craig Malloy announced the free service in a recent blog post on the company's website.

* Netsparker, a cybersecurity business based in Austin, is offering free team licenses to use its software to any "organizations involved in fighting COVID-19," including governments, medical equipment providers, news providers, vaccine researchers, medical researchers, patient care providers, hospitals, emergency first responders and food delivery providers. Anyone who wants to ask about the software can email licenserequest@netsparker.com.

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Local resources for Austin businesses during pandemic - Austin Business Journal

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As the COVID-19 causes widespread economic disruption, Austin is not immune. Local government, business and nonprofit leaders are already stepping up to offer resources during this tough time. They range from low-interest loans from City Hall to free services offered by tech and advertising companies. Know of additional resources available for business?

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follow the quicklinks below to skip to the topics you want to listen to right away or feel free to watch the entire video ~

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A How-to Guide for Small Business during COVID-19 | QuickBooks webinar

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PeopleFund has compiling another master list of resources for finding grants, checking up on mental health, and where to get started on a SBA EIDL. They keep this website up to date, so be sure to check this website periodically to find different sources.

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Last updated: November 13th

Alice: Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus, as part of our broader mission to ensure Business for All. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community: covid19businesscenter.com/. You can find more information here.

City of Dallas: The B.U.I.L.D Small Business Grant Program will assist small businesses that have been impacted by the economic downturn caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide businesses in the City of Dallas that have fewer than nine employees or a 2019 payroll of less than $250,000 with a one-time grant of up to $3,000. The application deadline is November 24th, 2020, and the funds are anticipated to be disbursed by December 30th. Click here to learn more.

LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants: LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program. Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where your business address is located. If the business is mobile (a food truck, fishing boat, ride share driver, etc) please use the address where your vehicle is stored during non-business hours. There are multiple application rounds and the next application round will open on Monday, October 26th. Click here to learn more.

Small Business Relief Fund: A program supported by GoFundMe, Yelp, and Intuit QuickBooks: gofundme.com/f/smallbusinessrelieffund

Southern Smoke Fund: Grant application for those in the food and beverage industry:

Texas Black Expo: The Texas Small Business Emergency Micro-grant Source (TSBEMS) was developed to provide emergency funding assistance for Texas small business owners in order to help them continue to function when unexpected financial challenges threaten their daily operations. You can apply online here.

NOTICE: Currently Skills Development Fund is only accepting COVID-19 training applications.

The Office of Employer Initiatives - Skills Development Fund Outreach and Project Development Team works with businesses and training providers to support application development and submission. The Skills Development Fund and Self-Sufficiency Fund Grants Team provides grant management support. If you have any questions, please send an email to Ski[email protected] or reach out to a Regional Representative through the Skills Development Fund Outreach Team Map.

If you have an SBA loan under any of these programs (504, 7 (a) Community Advantage, Microloan) the SBA will relieve of any obligation to pay the principal, interest and any associated fees that are owed on a loan in a regular servicing status for a 6-month period beginning with the first payment due on a loan after March 27, 2020. SBA will pay this first loan payment to the Lenders within 30 days of the first due date after March 27, 2020. If a Lender receives a loan payment from a Borrower after March 27, 2020, the Lender must inform the Borrower that it has the option of the Lender either returning the loan payment to the Borrower or applying the loan payment to further reduce the loan balance after application of SBA's payment.

PeopleFund is a preferred SBA lender and can assist you finding the right help, whereas from the SBA or one of our programs. Please know that all SBA disaster relief loan applications are being processed directly by the SBA and have to be submitted directly though their website as explained below.

The SBA EIDL program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2M to businesses and private non-profits. The loan amount is based on the working capital needs caused by the coronavirus so the business can meet its ongoing obligations.

EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. See below to see what EIDL proceeds cannot be used for.

The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

EIDLs have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on borrower's ability to repay.

For the first $25,000, no collateral is required. Over $25,000, you may be required to pledge available collateral.

For this specific declaration, payments will be deferred for 12 months.

What's an EIDL?

A small business concern, Most private non-profits of any size, A small business engaged in aquaculture. Small agricultural cooperative.

Criteria:

1. Located (physical presence) within the declared disaster area.

2. Have suffered, or are likely to suffer, substantial economic injury as a result of the disaster,

3. Do not have Credit Available Elsewhere,

4. The size of the applicant alone (without affiliates) must not exceed the size standard for the industry in which the applicant is primarily engaged and The size of the applicant combined with its affiliates must not exceed the size standard designated for either the primary industry of the applicant alone or the primary industry of the applicant and its affiliates, whichever is higher.,

5. Must be an independently owned and operated business

Who is eligible?

If you have specific questions about the EIDL, including questions about the status of your application or to change any information you originally submitted, you will need to contact the Disaster Response Center at [email protected] or 1-800-659-2955 respectively (please be aware that wait times are long at this time).

Need help? Call the SBA's Disaster Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected] . Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call 1-800-877-8339. The call center is open Monday - Sunday, 8a.m. - 8p.m. ET.

After you apply, you will be provided a decision of either approved, needs additional information, or denied. This decision should take no longer than 4 weeks, but this is dependent on application volume.

If you are approved, you will receive $25K of their disbursement 5 days after you have received an approval. You will then be assigned a disaster response case manager to assist in working through the rest of the disbursements, and you are able to ask for up to $2 million (dependent on need).

If you are denied, you will be provided a reason/denial code which should give you more information.

How do I apply?

They have narrowed the mandatory documentation requirement down to three documents you can find directly on their site. However, we would also recommend you prepare the additional documentation they could request from you to be prepared.

For program questions or assistance in completing the application online, businesses can contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

Apply using Microsoft Explorer or Edge browser. There has been difficulty with Chrome.

Disaster Processing - Make sure Economic Injury Disaster Loan is selected.

How to define a loss:
A business needs to define its loss in comparison to its 2019 operations/financials. Losses will be compared to the effective incident period starting on January 31, 2020. Just a loss needs to be reported; there is no threshold of a percentage or dollar amount.

Provide as much information as possible and be thorough on filling out documents requested so that there aren't hold ups due to requests for additional documentation.

If you can obtain credit elsewhere, such as with a bank, you will likely not be approved.

You must provide evidence of the economic loss as of January 30th, you should include a Profit and Loss statement (P&L) for 2019, a year-to-date P&L, and a narrative of your effects.

There is no time in business official requirement, however, the SBA is using operating history as a piece of determining ability to repay. If there isn't enough operating history or revenue generation there, it is likely you will not be approved which is why it is important to include a P&L for 2019.

When determining the amount you need, be sure to keep it to working capital needs for the next 6 months only. The loan will not fund new projects, expansion, refinancing existing debt, owner salaries, or repairs.

There is no harm in applying, even if you think you may not have a great chance, we would encourage you to apply anyways along with keeping aware of other opportunities for assistance.

The sooner you are able to apply, the better as they will be receiving a large volume of applications.

At the end of this funding application, there will be an option to select the Economic Injury Grant. EIDL candidates may be eligible to receive an advance that does not have to be repaid regardless of approval. The amount of the EIDL Advance will be determined by the number of pre-disaster (January 31, 2020) employees. The Advance will provide $1,000 per employee up to a max of $10,000. To ensure you are considered for this, you must select the Economic Injury Grant check box at the end of the application.

Tips for applying:

Payment of any dividends or bonuses;

Disbursements to owners, partners, officers, directors, or stockholders, except when directly related to performance of services for the benefit of the applicant;

Repayment of stockholder/principal loans, except when the funds were injected on an interim basis as a result of the disaster and non-repayment would cause undue hardship to the stockholder/principal;

Expansion of facilities or acquisition of fixed assets;

Repair or replacement of physical damages;

Refinancing long term debt;

Paying down (including regular installment payments) or paying off loans provided, or owned by another Federal agency (including SBA) or a Small Business Investment Company licensed under the Small Business Investment Act. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is not considered a Federal agency for this purpose;

Payment of any part of a direct Federal debt, (including SBA loans) except IRS obligations.

If a direct Federal debt is delinquent, your recommendation must be based on independent documentation from the appropriate Federal agency explaining how the delinquency will be cured. 50 30 9 76 Effective Date: May 31, 2018

If a direct Federal debt is delinquent because of the disaster, the SBA should make arrangements with that Federal creditor to have payments deferred or a similar action taken to bring the delinquency current prior to approval of an EIDL. If the Federal creditor cannot or will not cooperate, the likely result will be a decline of the EIDL request. However, if the applicant has other resources or recoveries, the SBA should generally allow (and perhaps require) those resources to be applied first to ineligible needs, such as the payment of direct Federal debt.

When processing during the injury period, it is generally appropriate for you to negotiate with Federal creditors to defer payments (or take similar action) until the end of the injury period. You must document why this was or was not imposed.

Pay any penalty resulting from noncompliance with a law, regulation or order of a Federal, state, regional, or local agency.

Contractor malfeasance;

Relocation.

EIDL proceeds may not be used for:

(Note: some of the attached documents may contain interest rate for the program, the interest rate was changed to 1% as of April 2nd.)

You can apply for both the EIDL and the Paycheck Protection Program Loan, but not for the same purposes. We can assist you in wading through the best options for you based on your capital needs.

The CARES Act will forgive portions of the PPP loan related to payroll and specified expenses during what they call a "covered period". This is still a bit unclear, but this act will not forgive your entire loan amount.

A portion of this legislation is dedicated to providing payment relief for current SBA borrowers. Borrowers with an SBA loan currently in good standing will receive 6 months of principal, interest, and fees paid for them by the SBA as of March 27th. You should not have to do anything to initiate this, however, if your lender has already taken a payment for this period, you are able to request a refund or have the amount applied to your balance.

If you have been approved for PPP, the amount you have been approved for in the EIDL advance will be subtracted from the amount you are approved for in the PPP.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides funding for payroll, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities and a portion, or all of the loan, may be eligible for forgiveness (interest rate 1%). The SBA deadline for this program was August 8th.

You will apply for the PPP with third-party lenders like banks, community lenders, and financial institutions. There are many banks who are already eligible and ready to begin taking applications as of April 3rd. You will need to contact your banking institution to learn more. Many banks are electing to assist their clients first. We recommend contacting your home banking institution.

Click here to find a lender eligible to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
Lender Assistance Hotline: (833) 572-0502

How do I apply?

***Although you may be able to qualify for the EIDL, PPP, and Economic Injury Grant Program, you cannot double dip on funds. The SBA will deduct the amount received from the Economic Injury Grant from your overall loan amount with EIDL and PPP, so it is important you know what you are applying for and with who.

IRS People First Initiative: The IRS is automatically suspending several programs for 3.5 months, including installment agreements. Click here to learn more

For details on all federal assistance, visit usa.gov/coronavirus or en Español - gobierno.usa.gov/coronavirus

Beware of anyone calling saying they need your personal information to process your personal stimulus relief check, they are most likely not legitimate. As long as you have filed taxes for 2018, you should be good to go.

Beware of organizations posing as charitable organizations during this time, it is likely there will be a spike in fraudulent charities arising.

Beware of at-home test kits for COVID-19. There are currently NO legitimate at-home test kits.

Beware of online sellers claiming to have high-demand products like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, masks, or hand sanitizers. Ensure you have verified the company is legitimate before purchasing or sharing any personal details.

The US Chamber of Commerce has published a variety of resources, including COVID-19 Tips for Employees: uschamber.com/coronavirus#resources

These are challenging times for businesses all over the nation. The Texas Comptroller's office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there's so much uncertainty.

The Texas Comptroller's office understands that virtually all taxpayers are doing their best to remain in compliance and be responsible in submitting the taxes they collected from their customers. With that in mind, The texas Comptroller's office is here to offer assistance to those businesses that are struggling to pay the full amount of sales taxes they collected in February.

For businesses that find themselves in this situation, the Texas Comptroller's office is offering assistance in the form of short-term payment agreements and, in most instances, waivers of penalties and interest.

We ask that you contact their Enforcement Hotline at 800-252-8880 to learn about your options for remaining in compliance and avoiding interest and late fees on taxes due.

In addition, the Texas Comptroller's office has a variety of online tools for businesses seeking assistance. See their COVID-19 emergency response webpage for access to online tools, tutorials and other resources for tax services, and to establish 24/7 online account access with Webfile.

The Texas Workforce Commission is offering options for both unemployment assistance as well as shared work plans. Unemployment assistance applies directly to employees who have been laid off, suspended, or have had hours cut and individuals will need to apply directly. Shared work plans are meant to be applied for by employers who have had to cut employee hours to help supplement payroll costs. You can find more information about unemployment assistance here and shared work plans here. TWC also has outlined more resources for employers in regards to taxes, unemployment benefits, shared work, appeals, and sick/health prevention.

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Last updated: November 13th Alice: Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus, as part of our broader mission to ensure Business for All. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community: covid19businesscenter.com/.

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If you are unsure about how to move your business online, follow this link for helpful tips!

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Traditional businesses sell their products or services in a physical office or store, have face to face contact or some form of direct interaction with their clients and rely mostly on cash transactions and human relations.

However, in recent years, along with the development of Internet access and social media, it has become advisable for everyone to have an online presence. If, until now, business owners could choose to make the transition toward computer-based commerce or not, today, the shift is rather imperative.

Lots of good stuff

But we shouldn't see this as something negative. On the contrary, the benefits of moving your business online are many: it can boost your company's image, customers can access your products at any time of the day or night, from all over the world, it reduces operational costs (rent, utilities, other office expenses), it enhances credibility and boosts trust levels, and in times of crisis, you are sure to have continuity, since the Internet could never be shut down.

How to do it?

1. Invest in your website

The first step in taking your business online is creating a website or optimizing and updating it, if you already have one. You can hire an agency or a web developer for that, or simply follow the steps and guidelines offered on certain DIY platforms. A website isn't only supposed to look pretty, but also provide good content, be user-friendly and give all the information that the customer is looking for.

Keep it constantly updated with regard to stocks, prices and delivery times, keep in touch with website visitors and the people who place orders, get involved and don't be afraid to micro-manage all the aspects of the business, so that everything will run smoothly. Make sure there are no spelling errors, typos, wrong information or links that don't work properly, since the trustworthiness of your company is usually deemed to be only as good as the quality of your website and the attention you pay to details.

Remember that no one knows your business like you do or will become as involved in maintaining or growing it, therefore adopt a hands-on strategy.

2. Enable secure online payments

Secondly, think about setting up an online payment system that will facilitate the transfer of money between you and your clients. Create a dedicated bank account and draw up a contract with the bank, so that you can set up a secure payment processing page and accept credit card payments. Send invoices by e-mail and other electronic means, or on paper, delivered along with the goods.

Also, think of a return and refund system. Will you give money back? How? Will you exchange products or offer a voucher for other services? Plan this out ahead of time and be ready with a clear and adequate policy.

3. Use social media at its very best

Thirdly, make the most out of social media - focus on one or two platforms that work best for your market. Be sure to make extensive research on your audience and ways to profit from online recommendations and human networks, contact influencers or public figures to endorse your products or services to their followers, write blog posts or advertise special discounts so that you will get more traffic to your website and engage people.

Publish content in the form of text and visuals that will attract users to your business page. Encourage your audience to review your business and its services and share their experience. Provide a link to your website so that customers can access it for more information about your company and products.

Social media works to your advantage in an era when everyone is on their cellphones and laptops, killing time more than ever on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

4. Use good SEO

Exploit SEO tools to stay ahead of the competition and rank among the first results in search engines. There are programs and methods you can use for minimum costs or even for free to grow your web presence. Start with a niche marketplace and existing clients, but be ready and prepare for explosive scenarios as well - your business may boom overnight and you must be able to handle the demand.

And even if success doesn't arrive abruptly, it is likely that your business will grow and change by taking on new and exciting dimensions. Act for future success and stay one step ahead of the trend.

5. KIS

One ruling principle throughout the entire process should be Keep It Simple (KIS). Odds are that, if you are forced to move your business online virtually overnight, you don't have a lot of time for research, plans and implementation strategies. Don't overdo anything, create your website, keep it functional and updated and focus on clients.

There is no need to go from zero web presence to a complex, interactive and ever-changing website. Start with a plain, professional and smooth-working design and develop it over time, if you choose to. Keep in mind that in the online business, efficiency is more important than aspect and intricacy.

Connect with coworkers or employees online, have meetings using Skype, Zoom or other such programs, and you can even render certain services through these modern applications. Contact couriers or set up your own transport service for deliveries goods and merchandise that cannot be offered online. Offer virtual tours of your store or headquarter, so that clients may feel closer to you.

Social distancing doesn't mean professional alienation

In the world of business, the only constant is change. At TRISOFT, we believe that even in times of crisis, it is important to be flexible and adapt in order to remain competitive on the market. Moving your enterprise online is a necessity in the context of social distancing we are experiencing throughout the world; it is definitely a challenge, but at the same time it can be a great marketing move that will reveal you to a larger audience and increase your chances of generating better income.

Fortunately, there are several small things, such as the tips included in this article, that you can do to start moving your business online. The Internet has made it easier than ever to manage everything from your computer. All you need to do is get started.

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How to move your business online in times of crisis

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Traditional businesses sell their products or services in a physical office or store, have face to face contact or some form of direct interaction with their clients and rely mostly on cash transactions and human relations. However, in recent years, along with the development of Internet access and social media, it has become advisable for everyone to have an online presence.

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Getty

As small businesses scramble to right themselves in the ever-shifting COVID-19 world, many are in search of resources to help them thrive. The logistics of pivoting a traditionally in-person business to an online platform might seem overwhelming at first blush. However, businesses can go through a logical process to make such pivots.

"When a business thinks about moving online, their first thought is to start selling online," says Phil Jones, a sales consultant and author of Exactly What to Say. "Instead, they should first think about how they can do a better job of using online tools to serve their existing customers and communities."

The logical process below, along with thoughts from experts across the small-business landscape, will help your business chart an intentional path for your online pivot-one that puts your customers and community at the heart of every step you take.

Where to Begin: Social Media

If you've been lax about your business's social media accounts, now's the time to amp up your investment in this underutilized online business asset. "For many businesses, social media accounts have been little more than an online directory listing," says Jones. Businesses using their social media accounts as their first lines of connection with customers, however, are seeing tangible advantages.

Jones notes that accountancy and legal companies can now start to deliver timely and professional advice via Facebook Live broadcasts and video lessons on YouTube. Independent shop owners can photograph their goods for Pinterest and Instagram, creating new channels for their homebound customers to connect through.

"The reason these platforms are so important is that your customers are already using them," says Jones. "Many other tools require you to win someone's attention and bring them somewhere new and, in today's market, I would look to bring your message to the people and not the people to your message."

Rikki Rogers, vice president of marketing at Curbio, a real estate company that lets homeowners flip their own homes using their turnkey presale renovations, notes that real estate agents are also using the power of social media to stay engaged. "Right now, [real estate agents] have a little extra time to focus on their marketing efforts. We're seeing agents push out high-quality content on their websites and social media pages," says Rogers. "Specifically, they're sharing updates on their services during the global pandemic, giving advice on how to prep their homes for market and developing lighthearted content, like design trends or luxurious homes, to stay top of mind for consumers who may not be able to move forward with a purchase or sale right now."

Molly Carmel, founder of The Beacon Programs, was also inspired by the COVID-19 crisis to use social media to reach her clients who valued the in-person support aspects that her company provides for food addictions. She created "Close the Kitchen," a nightly gathering on Facebook at 8:30 p.m. ET, a time at which many people struggle with binge eating. She offers tips, words of support and a place where Beacon's clients can connect with each other. "At this point, there are a bunch of regulars who have had their kitchen closed at 8:30 for 25 nights in a row," says Carmel. "Although it was not even on my wish list, this ritual has significantly increased our engagement and our viewership and has helped us to gain an incredibly loyal following."

Next Steps: Initiate Your Online Pivot

Once you have your social media accounts firing on all cylinders, Jones offers three steps small businesses can take to bring their businesses online with a clear direction and intention:

1. Decide how an online offering is better for your customers. "For your online offering to be worth it to you, it must be worth it to your customers," says Jones. Decide with confidence why your online solution delivers the same or even an increased value proposition to an in-person visit, especially in light of current market conditions. For example, a local restaurant might be better-served by posting daily curbside pickup specials on Instagram that customers can order by phone than by investing the time in building out a new online ordering system.

2. Develop a minimum effective dose for your new communications strategy. Jones advises businesses to consider how they'll communicate their online offerings to their customers. Think about the frequency of communications, on which channels (social media, text, email, etc.), and how your physical location will serve as a tool to direct your customers online. As Jones says, "A closed sign on your door is far less effective than a sign that reads 'Visit our website at [domain name].com to learn how we can still provide you services online.'"

3. Open consistent communication channels with existing customers and contacts. Encourage your customers to follow you on social media. If you haven't been collecting email addresses, now's the time to start. Be sure to gain permission from your audience to communicate over text or email to stay in compliance with marketing regulations. Email marketing services like MailChimp, Constant Contact and GetResponse can help you build your email list by the book, and all have extensive tutorials to quickly get you up to speed.

Leveraging Tech: Putting IT to Work for Your Business

After you've gone through Jones' three-step process above, you'll likely need a website or the capability to add an online shop to your existing web presence. Below are some simple-to-implement online tools to put tech on your side as you pivot your business online.

Build or Upgrade Your Website

Add an Online Store/Delivery/Pickup to Your Existing Website

Shopify. Shopify has created a guide to help its customers' businesses expand to curbside pickup and local delivery options.

DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats. If you need to add local delivery to your business, these nationwide platforms can help you get up and running in a matter of days. The onboarding process varies between platforms and might be slowed with the increased order volume. Be patient as you begin the process.

Use Videos to Connect

Zoom. With low-cost solutions for small businesses, in-person service providers can offer classes, webinars and group sessions to get the services and information their clients need most delivered with speed and a personal, almost-in-person touch. Be sure to review safe "zooming" guidelines to help keep your meetings secure.

Online learning platforms like Inspire360 are working with their customers to help shuttered physical locations, especially fitness studios, bring services directly to customers.

Jason Davis, CEO of Inspire360, advises the company's fitness clients to quickly identify their star instructors and work with them to modify workouts so that no at-home equipment is needed. "There is a frenzy underway to transition in-person workouts online, and clubs are using tools like Zoom in an effort to retain members' attention and revenue," says Davis.

Pivot With Impact: Examples to Inspire

As you look for inspiration for your own online business shift, it never hurts to have more examples to emulate, especially from businesses that are pivoting and doing well within their local communities.

SnackNation began as a service that delivered snacks to workplaces but found its business model quickly interrupted by nonessential business closures. The company quickly pivoted its high-touch, person-to-person snack delivery service and now offers "Work-From-Home Wellness Boxes." Its member companies can now send healthy, tasty snacks to all of their employees, maintaining-and even boosting-employee morale during a tough time and extending their corporate culture.

"Our pivot was a matter of tracking in real time what our core customers were experiencing, and then asking the question, 'What challenges are they facing right now that we can solve?'" says Sean Kelly, the company's CEO and cofounder. Now, for every box sold, SnackNation donates one meal to families in need, in partnership with Feeding America, and it is also donating 500,000 snacks to food banks. SnackNation members also can opt to have their in-office snacks donated to local food banks.

In the wake of government mandates to cancel or postpone events, The SnapBar, a photo booth rental company, experienced what felt like an overnight apocalypse. The company lost three months of revenue within a week and saw sales for future events plummet. Yet with smiles as part of its corporate DNA, the team crafted the concept for Keep Your City Smiling in just days: a gift box initiative that features goods from local businesses.

"We launched the idea in four days and began sourcing from vendors in the Seattle area first, as that's where we're based," says Sam Eitzen, The SnapBar's CEO. "The first company we contacted was thrilled, and the sentiment from others as we reached out to artists, candlemakers and coffee roasters was all extremely positive. Some vendors have almost been in tears receiving cash for 300 of their products that weren't otherwise moving."

These local-centric boxes are flying out the door of their online store, keeping local businesses afloat in the midst of a near-complete shutdown. "In the first two and a half weeks since we've launched, we've received almost 1,000 orders from individuals and companies buying for their remote teams," says Eitzen. "While our margins aren't that great, they're enough to keep our team working (which was the goal) while paying wholesale prices to other small businesses who desperately need the revenue."

A Final Reminder: You Don't Have to Do This Alone

As you focus on your customers' current needs and build an online business strategy to deliver on the ones most pressing, it's important to remember that you don't have to make this pivot alone. Taking a page from The SnapBar's playbook, Jones advises that businesses collaborate with other local businesses and consider how they can support one another.

"It makes more sense for local shoppers to experience the online efforts of a group of local retailers who can share with and support one another than for each business to try to play bigger without the infrastructure," says Jones. "Small businesses are small in isolation but giant when gathered together."
Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

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Pivot Your Small Business Online: Tips, Resources And Inspiration

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As small businesses scramble to right themselves in the ever-shifting COVID-19 world, many are in search of resources to help them thrive. The logistics of pivoting a traditionally in-person business to an online platform might seem overwhelming at first blush. However, businesses can go through a logical process to make such pivots.

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Although this website highlights measures taken in the UK, businesses here in the States can still apply this method to create "resilient recovery."
If you scroll down to the "read more" section, there are also helpful articles that can be read to help your business thrive.

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