The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed how we operate as a society. We are now required to wear masks in most public places, spaces for events are limited, and many essential appointments now ask that you arrive alone. Beyond what has visually changed, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our economy as well. From large corporations to small businesses, establishments all over the world have had to close due to a lack of business. The pandemic has shaped how businesses operate all over the world, including right here in Huntsville. I had an opportunity to speak with three different local business owners to gather some insight on just how much the pandemic has affected them.
I first spoke with Jon Heugel, owner of Huntsville’s Cookie Dough Magic. Heugel opened the dessert shop on July 3rd, 2020, during the pandemic. Opening a small business can be hard enough as it is, and adding a pandemic to the equation can be a real challenge.
“Was organizing and advertising for a grand opening difficult because of COVID-19 restrictions?” I asked him.
“No, organizing and advertising for the grand opening wasn’t particularly a challenge for us. The only impact at the time of our grand opening was the mandate for restaurants to only be open at fifty-percent capacity, but that was a minor obstacle as we are a quick service, order-and-go type of restaurant,” Heugel said.
I then asked him a follow-up question: “Were you worried about how the pandemic might affect your business, and what encouraged you to continue with the opening?”
Heugel responded, “Yes we were concerned about COVID affecting business. We even delayed the opening of the shop and expansion to other locations. We knew it would be a good location in downtown Huntsville and didn’t want to miss our opportunity, so we proceeded with the Huntsville opening. The biggest thing that encouraged us to continue was that we prayed a lot. God kept answering our prayers with things falling into place and working out in a way that we could have never done on our own.”
Next, I took a trip to Huntsville Residential Fencing and spoke with owner John Montero, who started his business in late 2019. Montero started his business to help those who needed fence repairs and to install fences for people without them in our community as well.
“Have you noticed a difference in business now compared to before the pandemic? Has the number of customers you normally have increased or decreased?” I asked Montero.
He replied, “The number of estimates that were requested increased. This was because a large percentage of people started working from home. People were not leaving their homes at all, so they wanted to start doing home projects. Our closing rate dropped drastically. That was because the pandemic drove up the cost of lumber to all time highs. I would say that we got busier right after the pandemic in 2020. We are busier than we have ever been in 2021. The price of wood came down a little bit this year, so our closing rate is much better. For that reason, the number of customers that we have has increased.
“Since your company involves manual labor, have the COVID requirements, such as mandatory masks and social distancing, made it harder for your employees to work?” I asked Montero.
“Really the only affect that the pandemic has had on my fence company has been on my estimators. My estimators wear masks when they go to our customers’ homes to measure their yards for fences. Most customers are wearing masks when we get to their homes, but some still believe it is a hoax. Either way, it is not that much of a bother. As far as our contractors go, they do not have to wear masks. The crews are only 2-3 people and the customers are not outside when they are building,” Montero said.
My final interview was with Laura Biss who owns a baking company, LB Bakes. Biss started her business during the pandemic, in June of 2020. She works from home placing and fulfilling orders, and makes a range of desserts, including cupcakes, brownies, custom cakes, cookies, and more.
“Because you are working from home, what have you found to be the most efficient way to advertise and bring attention to your business?” I asked her.
Biss replied, “For me the most efficient way I have found to advertise is utilizing my social media accounts and buying ads on them. Another way is making my products appealing to look at because it catches people’s eye and makes them interested.”
In regards to sanitation, I asked her: “Have you been taking extra precautions packaging your desserts, or would you have the same safety measures in place even if we were not experiencing a pandemic?”
“I am very cautious in preparing my kitchen by sanitizing everything down before I start baking, and with my packaging, I make sure the space I will be packaging on is spotless and sanitized. If COVID was not around I would still probably have the same prepping steps,” Biss said.
Finally, I asked about her business numbers. “Since the COVID mandates have started decreasing and the vaccine has become available to some, have you seen an increase in business in comparison to when you first opened?”
“During winter, I was slower than normal, but I can tell it is starting to pick back up again due to the time of year it is. I’m not sure if it has much to do with COVID as it does the season,” Biss told me.
The pandemic has been an adjustment for all of us, especially for those who are business owners. It has been a time of trial and error, and hopefully, those with businesses have found out what works best for them to keep their business steady during these uncertain times.