Can a small-business owner operate her business while fighting the novel coronavirus herself? Is there another avenue to pursue when COVID-19 closes a business’s bread-and-butter revenue stream? Are there new best practices a business can discover — and share with others? Three businesses share their stories of what they learned and how they grew their business during the crisis.
Starting a Business during COVID-19
by Stefanie Lerner
Encore Creative was my pride and joy. I joined what was then known as Encore Entertainment in 2002. It was already a successful Arizona entertainment event production company, but in 2014 I took the reins and began leading the company. Through the years, we built a great scenic shop to fabricate one-of-a-kind set pieces, a cast of stellar entertainers and artists, and grew from being known as a high-end Arizona event production company into a worldwide boutique live-event production agency. We had amassed an awesome team of employees, contractors, and collaborators producing shows through the lens of an aesthetic live theatre versus “just a meeting.” We even identified all of our projects/meetings as shows.
Our Journey to Safely Reopening
by John Mahlmeister
To keep employees and customers safe amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have had to alter the way they do business. As stay-at-home orders lift from state to state, these companies continue to look for ways to improve safety and sanitation in the workplace.
Returning to Work after Beating COVID-19
by Dana Lam
Receiving a positive coronavirus diagnosis can be scary. After I was diagnosed, I knew that people’s perceptions would change, because this is such a misunderstood virus. I was confident in my health and the fact that I could take the precautions necessary, but I didn’t immediately think about how the diagnosis would impact me beyond the two weeks of illness.
