Black Friday and Shop Small Business Saturday is one of the busiest weekends the holiday shopping season.
As we head into one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, many businesses are still closed and feeling the lingering economic impact from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
While some businesses have thrown in the towel and decided to fold, other businesses – large and small ones are still in the game fighting to return. So, to help those businesses unsure if it is possible to recover and those still hammering and painting away, here are 5 positive ways to push through to reopen after a Hurricane and to participate in Black Friday and Small Business Saturday– one of the largest shopping weekends of the year.
Be grateful – Although your store may be gutted and you’re scratching your head still assessing the full weight of loss, know that there is always a reason to be grateful. Customers asking when you are going to reopen or your employees showing up to help after hours and weekends are a couple of reasons to be grateful. Gratitude is a powerful energy that helps you to see situations clearer. Choose to be grateful.
Keep a positive attitude – Now more than ever is the time to refrain from listening to “yeah but” people. Yeah but…do you think your customers will return? Yeah but…will your insurance pay enough or whatever other doubts they are spewing. This is a time to guard your heart and mind from any words and energy that are contrary to your vision of reopening your business.
Leverage technology – Facebook, Twitter and other social media are free to use. You can also stay top of mind and share content of value via a blog, your web site and email. One note of caution is to avoid any spamming and be positive. If you are not using technology to its fullest and have questions, there are many resources that are available to assist small businesses for free such as SCORE.
Collaborate – With almost two decades into the 21st century, one word for business success is collaboration. Identify businesses you can join forces with during times of recovery or expansion is wise. Collaboration allows you to leverage other parties’ networks and strengths to tap into a new market or to add value to your existing customer base.
Keep your big picture in front of you – Those without a vision will perish is an old saying. Your big picture of being reopened with a shop full of buying customers shows your end goal and what success looks like. Pin it on the wall and make it apart of your background on your cell so you can see it throughout the day to stay focused on what is important to you.
In Conclusion
Because of my love of businesses that contribute to communities where they are located plus help others achieve their goals through employment, it is my hopes that this article helps other businesses recovering from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to persevere and find avenues to participate in some manner in the Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Do you have suggestions for businesses that are still recovering from recent hurricanes on ways to be creative so they can participate in one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year or do you think it is too late for this year? I welcome your ideas via Linkedin or Facebook so I can share with other businesses.
About the author: Helen Callier, President of Bradlink LLC, an SBA award winning small business, is the author of bestselling ‘Your Money is in the Follow up’, The Why, When, Where, Who, What, and How to Follow up Guide for Small Businesses. Helen is also a recognized advocate for small businesses and speaks internationally to small business audiences on practical tips on how to drive your small business vehicle to success. Helen’s is grateful for her business reopening after being impacted by Hurricane Harvey flooding in Kingwood, TX. Helen is a native of Houston, Texas.
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