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.

Tommy Manning

Well when the covid lockdowns started I was a junior in highschool and in the state I lived in your online school work had no negative affect on your grade so I had no reason to do my online school work. I was pretty much on a constant vacation. So I had a decision to make, either I waste all this free time or use my time to grow my artwork and my passion. Read more>>

Jeanne Le

After spending almost a decade in corporate, I found myself in the end of 2019 at cross roads: to advance my career further up in the corporate ladder or to forge my own path. At that point, I knew what I wanted – and it was definitely to never work for another boss again. Read more>>

Monique Mackey

Covid changed my business model pretty fast. I have been a barber in North Carolina since 2000. When Covid was at its peak barbers couldn’t service our customers and when we could people were afraid to be in closed buildings for too long. As a entrepreneur Covid forced me to take a hobby and turn it into a profitable business. It wasn’t hard making the change because I knew it was sink or swim for me Read more>>

Tephanie Muro

The covid definitely changed the course of my field. The growth of branding was seen in a progressive and slow way as people understood about the process of creating a brand. The covid determined the end of many jobs, opening possibilities for new businesses. These businesses started differently, some with fear and as they grew they were trust on it. Read more>>

Eric J. Smith

Like so many creative professionals, the Covid 19 pandemic upended my career. In 2020, I was an SVP of Content & Creative at a spinoff of the CBS Corporation with a focus on social good. I was traveling the world to document the work of dozens of nonprofits. It was exciting and fulfilling work to create video content and photo sets in places like Rwanda, Haiti and Peru. Within weeks, all travel ceased and within months, I no longer had a job. Read more>>

Regan Booths

During Covid, the world came to a halt. Weddings were delayed, parties were via Zoom, and we were all socially at a distance. The need for cookies and treats went down drastically as we were all at home, unable to celebrate with our loved ones. This sparked my idea of making DIY kits. Kids were bored, parents needed a break, and we all needed something to do besides watch TV or scroll on TikTok. Read more>>

Amber Ware

Covid has absolutely changed my business model. At one point along my clothing brand career I wanted to open a brick and mortar to have a flag ship for MGHH. As Covid began to progress in 2020 it came more apparent as to why having a stationed business in person shouldn’t be. Of course nobody knew this would happen but when it did it was hard to find solutions for my customers. Shipping and printing times became longer than normal. My customers understood for the most part but I was always use to producing in a reasonable timeframe. Read more>>