Making Lemonade out of Lemons

Life gives us lemons sometimes.

What seems like the worst possible thing can end up being the thing that makes you better.

The Lemons

COVID has been a horrible event in our world.  Millions of people have died around the globe, and the rest of our lives have been changed.  How we relate to and navigate in the world has been altered.

As communities shut down and businesses shuttered and layoffs were happening, many of us thought that this was the worst thing that could happen to us at that moment.  In the observance of safety and to save lives, we closed our businesses, and we were not sure if we were going to make it.  Those essential businesses had the problems of keeping their associate and customers safe while still serving their community.  It was hard, and it sure felt like sour lemons and not sweet, refreshing lemonade.

The Lemonade

Not to make trivial of the dire loss and havoc of COVID, but there have been some bright sides for the independent retailers.

1. Everyone knew they needed to start selling online, but many never found the time to stop and figure it out.
2. Many retailers knew there was value in selling live on Facebook and Instagram but never found the time to stop and figure it out.
3. Many retailers knew they were heavy in inventory and needed to balance out their buying and purge some older inventory and balance out their cash flow, but never took the time to dig in and figure it out.
4. Many retailers continued to staff the store the way they always did until COVID changed things, and they had to look at everything differently.

Independent retailers will continue to feel the pressure from COVID for some time, and its legacy will be with us for many years.  The key for the independent retailers will be their flexibility and ability to adapt.  Keep moving forward and taking the next step, and before you know it, you will have “walked across the floor” and through that issue.

Read More: Get Moving in the Right Direction

When we go through hard times in life, our ability to remain agile and adapt quickly as we learn all we can from these lessons helps us emerge stronger than ever before.

Quick Story:

Back in the early ‘80s, after over 20 years in the same location, our family’s store was suffering in our town’s old downtown.  New strip centers were popping up with lots of parking and better curb appeal.  To attract customers back to our store, we did an entire store remodel inside and out.  Just two months after finishing this major project, the store burned to the ground.  Our family thought that was the worst thing that could have ever happened.  But it turned out to be the event that catapulted us to many more years of success.  Our store moved to one of the new strip centers with lots of parking and was a huge success.  Moving the store at the time was the answer, not remodeling.  The family was able to take something terrible like fire and emerge stronger & better than before.

Read More: 4 Business Experts You Must Follow in 2021

Now is the time to ReThink just about every part of your business and learn from the past year’s events as you plan for the future.

You cannot just do things the way you have “always” done them.  As the world opens back up, things have changed, it is time to ReThink your retail store.

Need some help? Let me be your helping hand that guides you through these new challenges with your business. Schedule a FREE 20-minute Strategy Session to get started ReThinking your Retail Business.