3 Small Businesses That Are Scaling During COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic we’ve heard about businesses being forced to close their doors — sometimes for good — and others being shackled or irreparably damaged. But there’s more to the story. We heard from three businesses about how they're pivoting during COVID-19.

Small businesses are a resilient bunch. 

Many businesses that have pivoted during the ongoing public health crisis to meet new customer demands and come out on top.

Businesses have grown for a multitude of reasons. For starters, they were quick to reconsider their position in the market and adjust their operations accordingly to ensure the safety of their employees, customers, and anyone else who may interact with their business.

In other words, they provided reassurance and peace of mind in a time of unprecedented fear and uncertainty. Being proactive and quickly adapting to better meet the changing consumer behaviors allowed these businesses to not only remain open, but to thrive. 

Because we all need a little good news in our lives, we've compiled three examples of small businesses that have grew during COVID-19.

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. 

How does a brewery that relies on in-person service survive the pandemic?  

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. in Albuquerque, New Mexico may have figured it out. 

Shyla Sheppard, founder and CEO of the brewery ,explains how before the COVID-19 outbreak the majority of their revenue came from customers visiting their taproom. Initially, due to restrictions, her brewery could only offer to-go products but has since opened up its outdoor patio at half capacity.

Instead of accepting this as her new reality, Sheppard found  new ways to grow her business: She decided to purchase a canning line that was instantly a huge hit. 

Sheppard states, “You have to be flexible and not allow uncertainty to paralyze decision-making.”

Sheppard acknowledges that it wasn’t always easy and admits they faced challenges just like every other business in the beginning.

“It’s very exciting and such a difference between the beginning of COVID restrictions, when we were challenged with ‘how do we move more beer so it doesn’t sit and go stale?’ to now when we are beginning to brew more beer than we ever have.”

Cheers to Bow & Arrow Brewing Company.

Source: CNBC

Corporate Cleaning Inc.

With the spread of coronavirus fears around the world, it should come as no surprise that professional cleaning services experienced a spike in demand. 

That's where Ohio-based Corporate Cleaning Inc., comes in.

Sanitizing -- well, everything -- has become the new norm and a requirement businesses to operate. The demand for cleaners has increased substantially for residential homes, commercial buildings (offices, restaurants, gyms), and medical facilities in light of COVID-19. Not to mention people want to feel safe and amp up their cleaning efforts to minimize any risk of spreading COVID-19. 

 "We’ve never experienced anything like this before in our lives and especially not in our business," said Crystal Hughey, co-owner of Corporate Cleaning. "A lot of people are counting on us being smart and keeping them safe."’

Source: US Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Business First

Reid-Rodell

As stay-at-home orders began to take effect in March, Charlotte Reid's phone began to ring. But not with the news she would have hoped 

Reid-Rodell, a full-service event planning firm, which Reid co-owns, lost 95 percent of scheduled events in Q2. Reid realized early on she was going to need to pivot -- quickly -- to stay afloat.

“We transformed our business model to produce virtual events by partnering with other firms that provide the technical support required for us to execute innovative service. Because of the necessary technical aspects of virtual events, we take the time to educate our clients on the importance of using expert virtual services,” said Reid. 

Instead of closing their doors, they provided a solution -- one that was forward-thinking and virtual, allowing customers to use their services from the safety of their own home.

Source: Forbes

In times of great uncertainty -- and times are definitely uncertain right now -- people’s routines and purchasing behavior go out the window. This can throw a curveball at companies that are used to doing business a certain way -- especially if they’re unwilling or unable to adapt. 

But it also opens up the door to a great opportunity. Businesses who can alter their operations to provide a safe solution and invest in new technologies to evolve with the changing climate can come out on top -- regardless of what’s going on in the rest of the world. 

How has your business adapted during COVID-19? Let us know in the comments below.