E24 - Rob Alan, Shopify Expert

It’s one thing for an existing business to survive a pandemic but what about creating a business from scratch in the middle of one? Well, that’s exactly what Ron Dawson did, and during this episode, he shares just how he managed it. From patience and perseverance, choosing to surround himself with an empowering community, showing himself self-compassion, and not being afraid to speak his mind, Ron is a great example of the success that can be found when you commit to being your true self.

As an image maker and storyteller, Jason had to reprioritize some aspects of his business during the pandemic. But the approach he took was so well thought out, not only was he able to pull through with flying colors, he was able to create additional jobs for others around him. So many great lessons about business strategy, empathy, social change, and self care in this episode.

Former mayor, Sam Adams, has seen some things. Today, his takes on failure, vulnerability, and giving yourself permission to ask for help, are all incredibly relevant to small businesses and their leaders during this difficult time. During our chat, we visited some personal challenges Sam has faced, how he navigated them in a way that made him more resilient, and how this approach has shaped the way he sees the need for government transparency and true collaboration with the community.

Talking to Darren about his mindset made me feel like anything is possible. When COVID-19 hit, he could’ve packed it in. His business was losing 95% of its usual engagement, and he knew that continuing to operate “as normal” just wouldn’t work. But giving up or giving in just isn’t in Darren’s DNA, so he doubled down and got creative. The way he pivoted his business isn’t just inspiring, it’s really innovative. He’s leaning into some massive cultural shifts that are likely here to stay long-term, and not only is he future-proofing his business, he’s helping others at the same time.

I never thought I could have this much fun talking about HVAC. Seriously, I learned so much about how to make simple improvements for little to no money, and it was actually super interesting (and dare I say, entertaining). It definitely helped that Stillman is so into what he does — his passion for his work is definitely contagious. If you’ve got questions about ventilation, energy costs, filtration, and safety for your customers and team, this one’s for you.

Shopify expert, Rob Alan, has some really valuable recommendations for those of us thinking about implementing e-commerce solutions. For anyone taking more of their business online, Rob will challenge you to think more deeply about the most obvious options — just because they’re obvious, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re best. He’s also got some great bonus advice for those service providers out there, and how we can structure our pricing in a way that’s more accessible to our customers, without compromising on income ourselves in the long run.

When hair stylist, Luisa Torres, had to close shop due to COVID-19, she did something really smart. She started offering FaceTime consults where she’d walk clients through the process of cutting their family members’ hair—themselves! Sometimes it would take hours, but she stuck with them till the end. What a great way to generate a bit of income, foster relationships with customers, and show them just how hard it is to do what she does! In this episode, we explore additional ways she’s had to adapt to the new reality and how her unique landlord relationship ended up shaping important, rent-related conversations.

In this episode, publicist Lisa Schneiderman gives some tactical advice on messaging, marketing, PR, and brand engagement during and beyond pandemic times. But she also takes us behind-the-scenes of a mask sewing initiative she started when there was a shortage of PPE among health professionals. She walks us through what it takes to build a movement, rally a community around a cause, and how she went from zero to SEVEN THOUSAND masks like *that.*

This episode takes a slightly different format. Kate Ertmann took the time to prepare a presentation including four steps for strong operations planning, which we cover during this twenty-minute discussion. For anyone looking to adapt to this new climate from an operations standpoint, or if you’re starting a business and want to build a strong foundation from the start, Kate’s four-step framework is a fantastic resource.

“Mark my words, we’re going to be here at the end of this.” Kaie Wellman has no doubts that, despite the challenges she’s facing as the co-owner of a specialty grocery store, they’re not going anywhere. How can she be so confident? It’s a combination of her leadership style, the inner-workings of her landlord relationship, and seeing specific opportunities when most would see roadblocks. A must-listen for any retail small business.