Many times we start each day with a routine. For some, it’s a cup of coffee, for others it’s a shower or exercise. Usually, part of our routine includes at least thinking about everything we have to do that day. Our endless task lists and plotting about how we will control the day ahead can often direct our minds to find more problems than solutions.
The COVID-19 virus is impacting every part of American life. The stories of this pandemic will most likely abound for a generation, and cover every aspect of human existence. Many local small businesses have been impacted by the global pandemic, and while they await assistance from the CARES Stimulus Act, they continue to ponder their futures.
This virus has created a global crisis, but we can choose to see glimmers of possibility. While we may desire things to return to “business as usual,” we may ultimately realize that the virus is already transforming the world around us. Hope, however, remains that we might be able to see the world differently. Maybe we can view our problems as shared, and live in a land where neighbor helps neighbor. Being positive is not a safeguard against the unknown, but it is one of the best ways to fully enjoy every moment.
Local business owner, Pamela Marisa, knows the struggles of maintaining a small business during difficult times. As the owner of three small businesses, Direct Results, GreeneScene Community Magazine, and The Perfect Arrangement & Lily Bees Gift Shop, Pam has been faced with several challenges, including employee concerns, maintaining payroll, and following legislative restrictions. Pam made the decision early on to keep all of the 23 employees on the payroll working. While sustaining such a strategy indefinitely is implausible, Pam hoped to reduce the anxiety of her close-knit team as long as possible.
Direct Results is a multi-faceted marketing company, which has remained open and fully operational, due in part to their support of life essential industries, such as those in the energy and healthcare fields. Those industries require safety clothing, signage, masks, social media management, and more. Currently, about half of the Direct Results staff is working from home. The other half, primarily production employees, are working in the 10,000 square foot facility, and they are practicing social distancing and following the CDC recommendations.
The Direct Results team, under Pam’s leadership, has embraced her positive approach, and they are working on two notable projects to help the community that they live in and love. They have partnered with Ben McMillen, another local small business owner, in a quest to provide face masks for Greene County. The production crew modified the embroidery department to meet the growing demand for face masks.
The second campaign that the Direct Results staff initiated is their Stand Strong campaign. Their website (www.drfanwear.com/standstrong) offers products ranging from hats and hoodies to shirts, mugs, and magnets. The best part of the Stand Strong campaign is that the proceeds from every item sold are going back into the local economy. The Direct Results team is buying products and gift certificates from local small businesses to fill gift baskets that they are donating to local healthcare workers.
Like many American small businesses, Direct Results has felt the impact of the pandemic, but they remain dedicated to their work. Graphic designer, Joelle Dorsey, has adapted to working from home. Joelle says, “Since I’ve been working from home, I have more flexibility. I can sleep in a little bit and still get all of my work done. Also, working with such a great team, I stay in communication with everyone and still feel included.” Executive assistant, Nichole Sowden, added, “With all of the craziness going on in the world, at least coming to work gives me a sense of normalcy. And, I’m so grateful to not only have a job that I love, but working for a small business that hasn’t laid anyone off really gives me a feeling of stability.”
GreeneScene Community Magazine, a monthly publication, has also continued with production, while making some necessary modifications. All GreeneScene employees, including the editor, sales team, journalists, and graphic designers, are currently working from home. The GreeneScene team shares the stress and uncertainty with the rest of the nation, but they are bolstered by the opportunity to report stories that are strong and uplifting.
For more than eighteen years, the GreeneScene has been focused on community, and it remains dedicated to the people and the businesses it serves. The GreeneScene staff is encouraging enterprises, both public and private, to share their stories with others.
The Perfect Arrangement & Lily Bees Gift Shop was required to close their doors for three weeks during the state lockdown. During that time, the business was unable to get fresh flowers. As things are returning to a more normal routine for the four-person staff, they are eager to take orders and excited to take care of their customers. The Perfect Arrangement & Lily Bees Gift Shop is now offering FREE local “No Contact” delivery for orders of fresh flowers, gift baskets, sympathy gifts, hand soaps, and more. They are also continuing to take on-line orders at www.drfanwear.com/theperfectarrangement. During the three week lockdown, the staff was busy from home, cutting material for the face mask production being completed at Direct Results. Please call them at 724-627-3191 to place an order and support their business!
In a world swirling with uncertainty and doubt, we are each faced with challenges. How does one climb a mountain? The mountain challenges our conviction. There is no response like the flick of a switch or twist of a dial. Mountain climbers probably don’t enjoy every moment of the journey, and there may even be times they think about giving up. They may encounter unforeseen difficulties; they may have to come back down the mountain at some point before resuming the climb. We cannot be controlled by our fears. The first step to climbing the mountain is to climb out of the fear of climbing. Then take a step upward, and continue. We are climbing a mountain, and we can only hope that when we get to the top, we feel pure joy and astonishment in our achievements.
If you would like to share your story with the GreeneScene Community Magazine, please submit the story online at staging.greenescenemagazine.com/ or call at 724-627-2040.
