In March of 2020 there was a moment of widespread panic – it wasn’t just about public health, it was also economic. Would our economy survive a prolonged pandemic? A few years in the answer is clear – it did survive and it was able to because of the spirit and the resolve of our people. Hard working mom and pops working overtime to implement new revenue streams for the businesses, artists and creators finding new ways to collaborate and share their art with their fans and folks from every neighborhood in the country finding ways to adapt and carry on. We wanted to honor those stories by creating a space to share those stories and you’ll find some of the below.

Amy Gabriel

Covid forced us to do a number of pivots in our business. First, we realized that all of our customers were spending more time on mobile devices, so we worked with more influencers than ever before. Through sharing about our product on Instagram stories, we gained thousands more customers. Read more>>

Mandy Tamborini

Covid completely changed my business. I lost all of my mobile business and large accounts during Covid. I had jus resigned a lease on a factory space to handle my large orders and grow. After sitting in the space for a year. I was either going to go out of business, or pivot and focus more on prepacked cotton candy and items. Read more>>

Sean Ryan

Yes, absolutely for the positive and negative. Before it was more profitable to be on the road, but since the pandemic, that has changed. During the first 2 years of Covid, things were similar to previous years since it was what we knew. But as more years past, we grow comfortable in our distant interactions. Read more>>

Nate Perry

Like work fields Covid changed so much of the wedding and event industry. For Perry Productions we found navigating the pandemic had many silver linings. Most weddings turned from large celebrations to more intimate gatherings. Read more>>

Jasmine Dixon

Thanks for this opportunity to share our story in hopes of helping and inspiring new business owners. My name is Jasmine Dixon and I am the Owner and Chief Stylist at Slay Couture. SLAY Couture is a high-end occasion-wear online boutique offering the most sophisticated,  unique and chic looks for women! Read more>>

Katie Guess

Covid not only changed my career trajectory back in 2020 BUT it opened up an entirely new way for me to be creative and have another income. When the pandemic started I decided to leave my job of 10 years to pursue freelance design and to be home with my kids to help them navigate remote school. I was thriving in the freelance world. Read more>>

Tristan Miller

COVID has changed our business model for the better. We no longer prolong the dreaded question, ‘are you pre approved?’ before scheduling a showing. We are much more straight forward and purposeful with our time. Read more>>

Kristi Bulish

I started a new branch at my company that focuses on micro weddings and elopements. Along with talented industry friends, I am able to provide everything a couple needs to get married in an inclusive package. Not only did this help get my company through the time where large weddings were postponed, it became one of my favorite services. Read more>>

Gregg ‘Mack’ McPhedrain

Well in October 2019 I was working with National clients, ESPN, Home Depot, Octogon Productions out of Georgia USA, NCAA teams and colleges graduates and teachers across Texas. Larger companies and group projects were a ‘thing’ for me. I was getting known for these types of shoots. Read more>>

Alicia Wiley.

When I started my business in 2013 it was just before I got married and working a full-time 9-5 (technically 7-3) left me to running a growing business on evenings and weekends from our couch. Read more>>

Darlene Wilson

At RAM, we began incorporating a remote-work environment in about 2017. I could see the trends for acquiring and retaining talent begin shifting. It was also a strategic move to have employees in other cities and states that would be a voice for the services in our firm. Read more>>

Quinnita Faith Edwards

As crazy and unexpected as the pandemic was, it genuinely was one of the best things to happen for me career wise. I’m typically someone who is used to working in a corporate environment, but right before Covid hit, I was let go from my job. Read more>>

Savannah Simmons

If I was starting over today, whether it be in the writing or tattoo industry, I would work harder to pay attention to the art I want to create, versus the art I think I “should” be creating to fit in with the masses and get more clients. Read more>>

Rolando Cantrell

If I were starting over I would definitely take advantage of business lending, grant opportunities and building business credit. Over the years I’ve spent a lot of funds both personal and business capital to fund the business which in some cases caused a strain on personal assets and business as a whole. Read more>>

 Jay Math

If I was starting over I wouldn’t slow down a little bit and try not to scale up so fast. I feel like before I was looking for interns for my podcast and writers for my magazine it became so much trying to do two things at once. I’m sure now that their is a better way about developing multiple brands. Read more>>

Christie Harper

Now this is something I ask myself almost everyday. In fact, after reflecting on past decisions I have made and all the mistakes in between, my entire thought process is almost always, “What could I have done differently?” Read more>>

Anthony Taitt

I would have never let go of those childhood passions. Those obsessions we have all had in our younger years. Mine was drawing. If I could start over I would dig deeper into that passion and work more on mindset at a much earlier stage. Lack of capital doesn’t matter Read more>>

Anthony Marini

To start today as opposed today is a difficult maneuver. When I graduated from CIA in 1993, the goal of an education from there was to leave and get a job in a brigade system kitchen (typically in a expensive fine dining restaurant) working your way up over the years to eventually become the chef. Read more>>

LETRISSA FRIESON

Being an entrepreneur for 23 years comes with so much wisdom, hindsight, regrets, and forward thinking! If I had known how to build and keep relationships with my past clients I would’ve made a million dollars every year I have been in business! People are the heart of EVERY BUSINESS! How you treat people after you’ve served them matters! Read more>>

Randi Wood

I first started my business by creating a beautiful brick-and-mortar space and from there expanded my online business. Because of the time we are in (2022), my online sales were creating most of the revenue and my brick-and-mortar space was the source of most of my expenses. Read more>>

Anita Robertson Peters