Who would have thought that just a few months into a brand new year filled with potential and promise, we would find ourselves here? Amid a global pandemic changing our daily lives across the world and challenging how we view our businesses. Yes, it’s a difficult time to be a small business owner with Coronavirus taking over, but then again it’s a difficult time to simply “be.”
This is a season of crazy where comfort zones are being challenged and you know what that means? Growth!
I’m not blowing smoke here either – you can see it all around us and especially in the creative community. As my grandma always says, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” Right now, friend? This pandemic is filled with some very sour lemons but I am seeing creatives all over the world turn them into innovative, successful lemonade and I know you can too.
Over the last few weeks we have been met with a world of unknowns around us and I’m going to go out on a limb and say you are feeling like things are pretty dang out of your control. I promise, I am right there with you.
So, if I can encourage each of us to do anything in these moments, it’s to figure out what we have control over in this season. Let’s move our mind away from COVID-19 and towards the good in our life and business and what we still have a handle on. Need some help? I’ve got you covered.
Concentrate on what you can control – COVID-19 / Coronavirus isn’t one of them.
Don’t focus your time and mental energy worrying about all the things you have no control over. We don’t know when this will pass, so there’s no way to know when you can definitely host an in-person workshop again or sell your work at a craft fair for instance. You can, however, control if you’re going to create a virtual sales plan or offer online workshops for instance.If your plate is fuller than usual, both logistically and emotionally, you’re not alone. If your hustle is breaking you down right now, I want to give you full permission (not that you need it from me) to redefine what it looks like. Know you have control in how you approach your business right now and the only person who can really tell you what’s right or wrong is you. Find control in the little things and embrace every second you do spend on your business as a success – even if it looks way different than it has before.
Keep moving forward no matter what that looks like right now.
Lean into your natural creativity not just in the talent that you have but the way you run your business. Now is the time to be innovative and brave and dig deep. Don’t be afraid to take the scary step forward towards something new or something that you’ve been waiting to pursue or launch. And friend, while you lean into that beautiful creativity don’t forget to lean on those around you as well. (Just maybe more figuratively right now!) Think about the people in your circle and how you can stay connected to them right now and maybe even how you can help to encourage one another. Just because we’re practicing social distancing doesn’t mean we’re alone. If you are riding the struggle bus right now through distraction and lack of motivation or clarity, this is the time to reach out and embrace your people who get it. Remember that we’re all in this together.
You’ve got this, but here are some COVID-19 resources to make it easier.
Over these last few days I’ve been scouring the internet world, saving links from some of my favorite brand’s emails, and curating some resources to share during this season with you. This list certainly doesn’t have all the answers but I hope it gives you a good place to start finding a little of what you need during this time. From virtual training and online meetups to self care and financial assistance there’s a little something for each of us, no matter what stage of business (or sanity) we are in right now. Feel free to bookmark this post to access the COVID-19 Resource List anytime over the next few weeks as you navigate the current normal that is owning a creative biz in the time of Coronavirus Craziness.
COVID-19 Resource List for Creative Businesses
GENERAL RESOURCES
Rising Tide Coronavirus & Small Businesses Resource Hub | CLICK HERE
Creative Hive’s Coronavirus affecting handmade business? Video | CLICK HERE
COVID-19 and your Handmade Business: Challenges & Opportunities | CLICK HERE
Resources for Event Creators from Eventbrite | CLICK HERE
Spoonflower COVID-19 Response Mask-Maker Inquiry | CLICK HERE
ETSY/ONLINE SHOP RESOURCES
How to Manage Your Etsy Shop During COVID-19 | CLICK HERE
Pirate Shipping (Free shipping software to access the cheapest USPS® shipping rates) | CLICK HERE
How to Turn On Vacation Mode for Your Etsy Shop If It Feels Right | CLICK HERE
MARKETING RESOURCES
The Collective Mill’s Free Email Marketing Starter Kit | CLICK HERE
How to Self Promote Without Feeling Icky Blog Post | CLICK HERE
Marketing Your Business with Podcast, Vlogs and Short-Form Video | CLICK HERE
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Coronavirus: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources | CLICK HERE
Covid-19 Financial Relief for Small Business | CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Economic Industry Disaster Loan Application | CLICK HERE
CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program: What Small Businesses Need to Know | CLICK HERE
Contingency Plan by 100 Degrees Consulting | CLICK HERE
IRS Tax Deadline Extended to July 15 | CLICK HERE
5 Necessary Steps to Cancel a Client Contract Because of Coronavirus Concerns | CLICK HERE
VIRTUAL TRAINING RESOURCES
One Crafty Miss Facebook Live Training Videos | CLICK HERE
The Creative Catharsis Online Workshop Series | CLICK HERE
The Engaging Educator Online Communication Classes | CLICK HERE
Going virtual for an event due to virus? Here’s how 3 organizations did it | CLICK HERE
4 Things Wedding Photographers Can Learn from the Outbreak Video | CLICK HERE
WORKING FROM HOME RESOURCES
Getting Started with Zoom Video Training | CLICK HERE
Social Distancing: A Work From Home Survival Guide | CLICK HERE
How I Conquer the World by Creating a Weekly Schedule + Free Template | CLICK HERE
7 tips to survive working from home with your spouse | CLICK HERE
VIRTUAL SELF CARE RESOURCES
J.go Fit Free Facebook Live 30min or Less Home Workout Trainings | CLICK HERE
Instagram Live Meditations by Jan & Monika Zands | CLICK HERE
FUN RESOURCES
Some Good News with John Krasinski (My favorite feel good video right now) | CLICK HERE
Disney Characters in Quarantine (My Favorite video for laughter right now) | CLICK HERE
21 Awesome DIY Projects to make In Quarantine | CLICK HERE
If you have or know of an exciting resource that you think could help another creative please consider leaving it in the comments for other business owners to reference!
