When I think of 2020, I think of Barbara Walters saying “And this is 20/20”. This year has definitely been a very big surprise for most of us, for sure. The last (in-person) networking I was attending was my own event, on March 3, 2020. This night was my first year anniversary celebration and oh, what a night it was! It was great – there was great food from my catering clients, special attendees like Mayor of East Providence Bob DaSilva & Gov Lt Dan McKee. Exactly, one week later, everything has changed for me, my family, my business, my friends, my neighbors, my world and our world. It hasn’t been the same since March. I have to be real & personal with you all – I did not think my business would make it through this storm! My husband, Rick & I have a 2 year old son who was in daycare at that time so we had to take him out of daycare. From March to about the end of May, I could not do anything in the business except when our son slept (in the afternoons and at night) because my husband was still working from home – I had to put everything on hold until we can figure out what was going on and what our next steps were. My husband tried to help as much as he could with watching our son while he works from home and I would work in our basement for the time being. I actually thought this pandemic would only last for a few weeks – no way in my mind, did I think it would last this long! So, we did that once or twice a week in May. I really did try working from home but it was just not cutting it. I was in our basement in a small space – I didn’t have much room to work in. While I was on a zoom call, I tried the green screen but you couldn’t see half my head. All you saw behind me was a couple of rolling racks of clothes and my laundry area. It was just not working for me.
My husband and I agreed to try a new schedule – in June, I started working in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He was SuperDad! He worked from home and took care of our son. Every few weeks, I would check in with him just to make sure we were still good with this schedule. I, finally, started networking again for the business, rejoined BNI and I started marketing for my business again. Currently, I am up to 3 days a week in the office and I’m loving my 4 day weekends! If it wasn’t for my husband’s support, I would not have been able to keep this business opened. Support is the keyword for surviving this pandemic. I was so glad that I met the people that I have met last year and the beginning of this year. There was some advice that have been like gold throughout this pandemic and I thank you so much for that advice. Here are just some of the people that have helped my business tremendously these past few months:
Mr. Towne – MY BIGGEST SUPPORTER!!! Every business owner needs their support team. I have a VIP Supporter right here. Right from the beginning (when I was just starting to contemplate the thought of opening a business), he told me, “Dolly, go for it”. He always was by my side with all of my decisions and never every doubted me. Through the pandemic, I was questioning if I should keep this business opened, he told me, “Dolly, you worked so hard for this business – you can overcome these hurdles. I will help you with whatever I can”. This week, we celebrate 4 years of marriage and I’m so lucky and happy that he is always by my side. In the picture above, we had a great adventure hiking for the first time together – we learned how to help each other when one was struggling, be grateful for the simplest pleasures and to look up to each other in tough times.
East Bay Chamber of Commerce – I cannot have found a better chamber to be a part of! They are always cheering me on and I have made some really awesome friends! Before this pandemic, I was an ambassador for the chamber – I really loved helping the community learn all about the chamber and what they have to offer. I, regretedly, had to step down from my ambassador role temporarily (until I can work full time days again). To anyone that is looking for a chamber to join that will support you, this is the one! I highly recommend this chamber to help your business grow – they do so much for our community! Wanna learn more about this chamber, contact them at:
www.eastbaychamberri.org; info@eastbaychamberri.org; (401) 245-0750
Hope & Main – I am very happy that I was able to partner with Hope & Main in Warren. I had no idea what this organization was all about. After taking the tour of their facility, I fell in love with their story, their mission and how they help the community! This is a non-profit organization that helps hundreds of people with their passion for food and launch their food business off the ground! They don’t need the expensive equipment or space when they are starting out, they just need an idea to start with and the staff will help them mold their ideas into a business. I love it! Most of my clients that I help come from Hope & Main – I really love helping them understand their businesses’ bookkeeping, especially when they are starting out. I am continuing to strive to help more food businesses in the area. If you are thinking of opening a food business or know someone that wants to open one, contact Hope & Main below:
www.makefoodyourbusiness.org; info@makefoodyourbusiness.org; (401) 245-7400
Margo Crawford at Wave Productivity – she is my productivity coach. I love the way she showed me to shift my schedule around ~ it made such a big impact, especially at this time. Now, each day that I am in the office working is a productive day instead of time wasted. To contact Margo, contact her at:
www.waveproductivity.com; margo@waveproductivity.com; (602) 677-8275
BNI – There are a slew of people that I can mention that have helped my business flourish into what it is today. I fell off the wagon a little bit due to daycare reasons with my son recently but I am back in another supportive and fun group. Thank you so much for all of the support you all have provided. They’re more than referral partners, they are family. If you would like to join either my chapter or another one, let’s talk.
Ramona Nichols at Inspired Creatives Studio – Ramona is my website designer and yes, I did hesitate to redesign my website in the middle of the pandemic to market my niche to food related businesses. I have already planned on it before the pandemic. Boy, am I happy I did! It came out so awesome! I love my new redesigned website! Ramona did so great. Need a website update or maintenance? Contact Ramona right here:
www.inspiredcreatives.studio; ramona@inspiredcreatives.studio; (614) 421-7177
Dennise Kowalczyk at CTD Creative Consulting – Dennise & I met via LinkedIn – she asked to meet with me and without hesitation, I said YES. Once I learned what she did, I was so impressed what she can help me with. Over the time that I knew her for, she has helped me and Ramona with the content in the website, the content and format in YouTube, content and ideas for my blogs, and she continually gives me recommendations to “upgrade” my LinkedIn profile, YouTube & Business Facebook Page. She is so pleasant and kind to work with so if you need help with any type of content on your social media, my friend Dennise is your girl! Contact her here:
www.ctdcreative.co; ctdcreativeconsulting@gmail.com
Lastly, I wanted to thank you so much for all of your support. It has helped a great deal in my business! I hope to see all of you soon! Happy Zooming!
Dolly Towne
Website: www.bookkeepingtowne.com | Office: (401) 23-TOWNE | Cell: (401) 474-5229
E-mail: dolly@bookkeepingtowne.com | Toll Free: 1-833-38-TOWNE | Fax: (401) 238-6937
To Schedule a Free Bookkeeping Consultation, please Click here
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