Did your business and income take a hit in 2020 as a result of the pandemic? Are you wondering about the way forward this year? If you are not comfortable do you want to do something about it? If so? This post is for you.
Opportunities
2020 hit us all hard, in many different ways. Nevertheless, with the challenges came opportunities. In spite of where we are now, there are an abundance of opportunities in our area and skill set.
Essentially, adjustments may be required for us to get the outcome we desire for ourselves and our family.
We need to prepare our bodies and minds for the journey ahead, and we can. Let’s believe!
Mental Preparation
In the sports world, many athletes speak about physical and mental preparation. The physical is extremely important if you want to perform at a high level; so, too, is mental preparation.
This topic, however, is based on “Mental Preparation” and doing the things we need to do on a daily basis to get the results we want.
Inspiration
When someone accomplishes a goal others thought to be impossible, two things happen; they are celebrated, and immediately, other people who failed before at the same goal now believe it can be done; they are now inspired by the example. Now they know it’s possible, so they will now go out and do it.
Think
A lot of people may be out of a job because of pandemic, while at the same time many others started new businesses for the same reason. This year brought a shift in thinking; a shift in the way some businesses operate.
If you are someone who is out of a job because of this, later we will share testimonies from other people which might inspire you.
There are opportunities in this period for the people who are willing to make changes in the way they operate. You need a shift in the way you think, and in the way you see your environment.
Knowledge
One of the greatest books we can read for inspiration is the Bible. Yes, the Holy Bible. There are many books within that great book and in Mark 9:23 Jesus was speaking with a man and said “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Believe! Have faith! And then apply massive effort! Whatever you are going to do, you have to believe, have faith and apply the required works or your goal is dead.
The piece of scripture in the previous verse is very relevant; belief once applied and married with faith can and will help us accomplish any goal we set.
Mentor
I never thought I would be into digital marketing, but in September this year I saw a YouTube ad and three months later I built my own website.
In the digital marketing arena, there are lots of different avenues for you to start an online business as I found out from James Hancox, a digital marketer with Six Figure Mentors (SFM).
James is from the UK and he is a very inspiring young leader in this area who can help you to understand what you need in order for you to start a business online (to learn how to do this, please click here).
Adjust to Survive in a Pandemic
In my country Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere in the world there are more and more people doing business online now than at any other time in history. What are you waiting for?
Here in Trinidad and Tobago we too went through our challenges and we are still trying to cope with the pandemic. However, in spite of the challenges of 2020 many businesses and individuals are doing different things as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, they are doing well.
Open a New Outlet
Brick and mortar will still be here. Nevertheless, based on the challenges of 2020 we need to prepare ourselves much better if such an event happens again.
Consider the benefits of doing business online to compliment how you currently operate and once you see value in it, get a website now!
There is a much greater demand for E-commerce this year. In fact, online traffic increased tremendously because of health concerns due to the Covid-19.
After the pandemic is over a lot of these new users will continue to do business online and you can too, that’s if you are there.
A Different Way to Operate
I’ve listed below some examples of a few local Entrepreneurs who stepped out of their comfort zone and found a different way to operate. This move protected their business and their income.
After you think through the situation you need to come up with a plan and then take action to get the results you want.
Fitness
First, we will look at a gentleman who had to do the transform or fold. His name is Luke Guru and he is a fitness instructor; he was able to make the shift and his business is functioning.
He is in the business of maintaining and transforming bodies – to find out more about him, click here.
Fashion
Next, we have Kimo/Fashion Entrepreneur. Shopping & Retail. Personal Shopper. Stylist.
Wardrobe Magician, she redoes closets.
Kimo Ifetayo has been in the business of making women beautiful and empowered through style for almost 30 years. She has worked with a wide cross-section of women in her home island of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, Panama, and North America.
She does a thriving retail business that’s in high demand and her tag line “Kimo…. Always beautiful clothing” is music to women’s ears. Above is her twin sister, another satisfied client. Click here to get her on Instagram.
Building
If you are looking at building, renovating or you just have a need for hardware supplies to complete your do-it-yourself project, you can get it online at Leonard S Browne & Company Ltd.
Damion Hepburn and his professional staff can assist you with your needs.
You can also get all your supplies delivered to you without leaving the comfort of your home or office. Click here for details.
Art
After your home or office is built you will need a few paintings for your walls and one of the best places to get your art collection is from the Art Studio TT. At this location, you can also get beautiful resin art. Click here for more details.
Hobby to Business
Jerome Harrilal has always been into gardening. He said if you are missing him his family knows he is with his plants.
Jerome is a graphic designer by trade and when pandemic struck he took his hobbies – cacti and succulent arrangements, as well as the art of bonsai – and turned it into another source of income and started The Exotic Garden TT.
He gets to do what he loves and pay the bills and that’s a great combination. So if you are a plant lover you will be amazed at what you can get from him. Click on Instagram and Facebook to get more details.
Preschool
Daynah Leigh is a 27-year-old who has been a preschool teacher for the last six years. She’s an inclusive educator who supports children with all types of learning needs and who worked with Down Syndrome, autism, and typically developing students from ages 15 months to 10 years old.
She also has amazing therapists/interventionists on board to support your kids where she can’t. Daynah has a quote posted on Instagram by Jan Almasy: “If you find something you’re passionate about, Monday will be your favorite day of the week,” and this statement speaks volumes, especially coming from a teacher.
She opened the Sunflower Academy preschool in September 2020 and it’s a preschool that puts God first. Click on Instagram to get more details.
Beauty Products
Kimberly Singh is a mompreneur and the founder of Pinkk Lantern. Pinkk Lantern is her God idea straight from above. Pinkk Lantern is a premium Faith, Inspiration & Self-Care subscription box for women.
This God idea was birthed during pandemic when she saw there were three great needs – faith, self-care and supporting local businesses, and most importantly asking God to direct her to a business that was lined up with his purpose for her.
Ladies, you can visit her business on Facebook for some of her specialty products.
Doors Closed
We all need to learn from this experience and put measures in place for our family and business. There have been a few pandemics in history and they can happen at any time.
Certainly, Covid-19 was not the first, and unfortunately, will not be the last. Of course, this is not something we typically plan for. As a result, a lot of people went through hardship due to the pandemic.
The effect was felt worldwide, including Trinidad and Tobago where some businesses have permanently closed their doors and many people then started to take a hard look at their spending.
New Doors were Opened
Above, we highlighted a few new doors that were opened because individuals were inspired. They knew they were not going to give in to their circumstances; they had to do something and they did. Lots of people prayed and their prayers were answered.
When your eyes are really open and you are able to see the world differently, you get a revelation, an idea. Suddenly, you have a new business. We can take the lessons learned from this period and come back stronger than before.
Get Online Now
Reflect on the last ten months and what you went through. Did you have to make any adjustments at home or in your business in order for you to survive in these two areas?
As you start a new year, take a look at where you are in your business life and your personal life.
Start a branch of your business online; you can! Start your website now! If you are out of a job or your business crashed, start a blog.
In fact, you too can turn your passion into an income stream for yourself and your family. Certainly, there are a lot of people generating a very good income stream from blogging and vlogging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in 2020 the traffic on the roads might have been lighter than years gone by. On the other hand, there was a massive increase in traffic on the internet highway; January 2020 to October 2020 saw an increase of 24.7%.
Ultimately, there is an opportunity here for those who have the patience to learn. It’s very easy for you to build your own website. Indeed, it’s not as hard as you think.
I built my own WordPress website which is hosted by Bluehost. Bluehost is fast, reliable and their hosting package starts at $2.95 per month. Click here for more information.
I am an affiliate for Bluehost so I’ll get a small commission from them once you do business with them, however, it does not increase the cost. Finally, if you want to start a blog and don’t have a laptop, get one and get started.
If you want to start a Vlog and don’t have a camera, get one and get started. Just like the examples above you too can do it. You can make the shift and diversify your income.
