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.

Jeff Morgan

We became more involved with our employees. Their needs and dreams. We noticed the toll COVID was taking on everyone and did something about it. We eliminated 24/7, nights and weekends Immediately our thoughtfulness paid dividends. More productive, healthier and happier workforce. We also attracted better personal to come aboard. Read more>>

Gretchen O’Neil

Prior to covid we were mainly a floral design company servicing wedding couples with a passionate side hustle of growing flowers. In my mind–and at the time, in the bank account–weddings were our bread and butter and paid the bills while our growing operation was the icing on top providing a layer of “do what you love” that sparked and spread joy. Read more>>

Christelle & Jorge Enquist & Delgado-Ureña

Covid changed our business model in a big way! The Raw Society started out exclusively with on-location photography workshops in 2016. It was mine and Jorge’s way of sharing our love for travel and photography with other like-minded individuals from all over the world. Read more>>

Yanique Petioma

COVID definitely changed my business model. I started my business making custom baby onesies and shifted to shirts. I had made 3 custom stoles prior to this but I had only done them because my mom and sister asked me to. When the pandemic shut the world down, I watched my friends who were graduating be disappointed as they were not able to traditionally celebrate their achievement by walking across the stage. Read more>>

Cleon Bonner

It changes the way I had to approach doing business but it also open me up to new ideas to bring in revenue. Read more>>

Nicole Webb

In January of 2020, I made a New Year’s resolution to really get my business out there and start participating in more markets and events. Then we all know what happened just a few months later. I was devastated about the lockdown and it felt like an impossible hurdle to keep up the momentum of my business. Even with online sales, I worried if it was safe to ship products because we didn’t know anything about this virus yet. Read more>>

Danielle Matthews

Although I had been in business for a while, I was operating my business like a side hustle, instead of a fill fledged business. During the pandemic, I was pregnant and teaching 5th grade English virtually. I knew I wanted to do more with my life, so I created a flyer and advertised that I offered business legalization services, namely LLC’s for $250. Read more>>

Drew Miller

Covid is directly responsible for the business model of Cullen Studios in that the company was conceived of during quarantine. I was part of the so-called “Big Resignation.” I realized that I was either destined or seemingly doomed to work in toxic environments unless I made big steps to try and change that trajectory. You have to pull yourself out, and it isn’t easy. Sometimes it is necessary though. Read more>>