5 lessons learned about small businesses in Lockdown
As we are re-emerging from our homes and back onto the high streets, Hannah from Mellow Moon Candles considers a few things she has learnt in work over the last year and how lockdown has shaped her business for the future!*
5 lessons I learned about small businesses in lockdown
We recently had the anniversary of the first official day of lockdown. I found last year hard, reaaaally hard. But, while I was navigating my way through the stresses of home schooling and working 2 jobs from a makeshift home office, I learnt a few good things. Here are my 5 take-aways from the pandemic for my small business.
- We have the power to adapt quickly.
The speed that many of us shifted from face to face to digital was incredible. Alongside Mellow Moon, I work for a theatre company. With our tour shut down, quick decisions on how we could adapt was crucial to our survival. The digital world was a scary place for me last March, but the necessity to get better at being online has helped my work in so many ways!
- Working from home can have lots of positives.
OK, I raid the fridge a LOT more than I ever used to, my body knows that!! Trying to teach, entertain, feed and water the kids was a flipping nightmare whilst working. But I’ve saved a lot of time and money from cutting out the commute. And the flexibility of working hours has meant I now spend more time with my kids in the week and if there is one thing lockdown taught me over anything it’s that family time is sacred.
- Local community support is vital for small business.
The passionate drive for ‘shop small’ and ‘shop local’ was what kept Mellow Moon going during lockdown. I also discovered some lovely new local brands on Facebook and Instagram and shopping close to home is better for the environment! I’m hoping that we don’t lose that fierce support for local shops in the excitement of places opening back up and life going back to ‘normal’.
- Wellbeing is everything.
I thought I knew that work life balance was important before lockdown, but I’ve never felt this so intensely as over the last year. There aren’t many people I spoke to during lockdown who’s mental health was not taking a beating in one way or another. One huge change for me in work has been to check in with my team much more consistently on how they are doing and to work proactively to destigmatise discussing mental health in the workplace.
- We are all stronger together.
Running a small business can be isolating, especially if you are a sole trader. There have been some very cool partnerships made at Maggie’s over the last year as businesses have collaborated on their creations. Personally, I teamed up with Hertswood last year to launch a wooden diffuser with wood sustainably sourced from Ashridge Estate! Collective shops like Maggie J’s nurture a vibrant community of like minded individuals where great opportunities can arise! I’ve found lots of my people here!
*You can order one of Hertswood wooden diffuser vases from Mellow Moon’s website here. Or if there is a particular Mellow Moon fragrance you are after, you can ask us here at Maggie J Jewellers and we can order it in for you to collect!*