Why Starting Your Business in the Middle of a Pandemic Is GENIUS!

Out of nowhere, a surplus of time was dropped onto our laps. So we panicked. We obsessively consumed news, obsessively consumed netflix and obsessively consumed every consumable in the kitchen - not to mention the alcohol.

It’s time to get back to business.

But, what does that even look like? While the internet world is dripping with theories, nobody really knows yet. One thing, however, is very clear: it’s time for a change. Non-optional, sweeping, universal change for every single person and brand on the planet. 

More than anything, it’s time for reinvention. We’re trying to look at this time as a window of opportunity. The bottom line is that we’ve got to make it happen. We have to funnel this nervous energy. 

There’s never been a better time to focus on the future of your brand. Everything is up in the air, use this time to define your future.

Easier said than done? Sure, but as our mothers always said, being easy isn’t a good thing. Here’s what smart brands are doing to come out of this stronger than ever. 

Photography: Unsplash

Wtf Am I Doing? 

A mission isn’t just a page for your website. It’s an integral part of directing your energy and organising your days. Ask yourself, what matters and what am I working toward? 

It can be hard, nearly impossible these days, to keep a high level of clarity. When it feels like you’re drowning the only goal is to keep your head above water. 

Keeping a clear head when you’re surrounded by chaos is the first and maybe the biggest obstacle --- but it’s doable. Even if you’re literally drowning, you’ve got to strategise during that very first moment you can take a breath. As anybody who has ever seen a horror movie knows, being smart and fiesty in a crisis is essential.

For us, that means planning the next step. For entrepreneurs, this means looking at where you want your business to be headed. Having a mission isn’t just for companies either. Whether you own a brand, manage one, or just dream of starting one, it’s crucial to have a kick arse plan of attack. 

What On Earth Do I Do Next? 

In a world defined by COVID, time feels less linear. The future, in many senses, is controlled by this one big faceless villain and governments (who, in too many cases, aren’t exactly playing the superhero).

While this creates real challenges, planning is still possible. You might need a plan B, C, and D but the time spent creating these is foundational to success.  

Create SMART Goals 

We’re not claiming to be the next Richard Branson here and yes, business jargon and self-help B.S. can be annoying… but there are a few central concepts that actually help. Having SMART goals is one of them. If you’ve never heard this term (have you been living under a rock?) or if you need a refresher, let’s talk about the benefits of this business basic.  

Specific:
Think less “I want a crazy successful business” and more “I want to bring on X amount of new clients over the next year.” Create a few different goals that represent the most important aspects of your business. Follow your gut as you are planning. Create goals you actually care about, not just a list of aspirations you feel like you should have. Keep in mind that things like work-life balance are just as valid as pushing for Scrooge McDuck style wealth. 

Measurable:
Once you have specific goals, it’s easier to measure your success. Try to include numbers where you can as they’re easy milestones. Ask yourself, what would make today a good day? What would make this year a huge success? Bust out the champagne in advance and spend an evening dreaming big. If you’re working with a team, include them. The best ideas rarely come from the top. Going it alone? Ask a friend. Kind of a hermit? Make friends online and ask them. Input is always a good thing. 

Attainable:
Okay now be realistic but ambitious and remember that you can always reset these goals. If you’re making goals for the entire year, you’ll want to come back to them every quarter at minimum to reevaluate. If you’re at a total loss of where to set the goalposts, focus on the short-term and create a “plan to plan” more in the future. 

Relevant:
Plan ahead to spend your time on the things that matter. It’s easy to keep plugging away on tasks that don’t matter. It’s a shit habit we’ve all got. Snap out of it by asking yourself if what you’re working on actually matters. Will this matter next week? Next month? Next year? There are always going to be distractions and time-suckers so keep your goals minimalistic to stay on track and prioritise.

Time:
Once you’ve got everything in place, pop it on the calendar. Get an idea of the timeline. In our team, creating a post-goal reward is a must. Whether it’s trip to Venice, an alcohol induced night on the town (both highly unlikely at this point in time) or rocking sweatpants from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, plan on a treat to keep you and your team motivated. 

Reach Out a Gloved, Sanitised Hand 

Traditional networking is hard enough in a normal world (if such a thing ever existed) but near enough impossible when you can’t leave the house. The good news is that online networking is now easier than ever. The whole world is locked down and staring at screens. WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook have reported a 40% increase in usage. While a whole lot of this is us sharing TikTok memes, some people are out there killing it with social marketing.  

Get to know your clients/customers/target audience. Stalk them online... or just have a chat with them. Figure out what they do online and what they are interested in. Nobody wants to deal with a faceless company. Be yourself and flaunt your flair. Find ways to show some humour and humanity online, whether it's in a blog (hello!) or social media.

Build Your Presence Online

The post-COVID world is going to be one where we are spending even more time and money online. Come prepared. Literally anything can transition to online. Manicurists are mailing stick-on nail polish to clients while salons are closed. Chefs are giving cooking lessons online. Get creative. Get stupid. Just start throwing noodles at the wall and see what sticks. Starting a website and creating an online presence is cheap, especially compared to brick-and-mortar operations. 

Ready to rock and roll? It’s time to dive into the great unknown. And don’t just take it from us! Those experts that we don’t usually listen to have agreed that startups launched during tough economic times are actually more successful. 

SHAMELESS TOUT

When you need help with the design part, we’re raring to go! Show us who you are, and we’ll get you noticed. 

Photography: Unsplash