The past three weeks have been nothing short of unbelievable and that adjective doesn’t even seem adequate. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly challenged us — our leaders, businesses, workers and economy. The severity of the very fluid situation changed hourly, shifting to daily. In a short period of time, the way we learn, conduct business and live our lives was disrupted.
This has and will continue to be a challenging time. Business leaders have had to reinvent their entire business models with little to no notice. Leaders have been faced with unchartered territory, shifting regulation, difficult decisions and the fear of maintaining the livelihood of their business & retaining the jobs for their employees with fewer customers. Thousands of workers, who are like family, have taken pay cuts or have lost their jobs altogether for an unknown amount of time.
However, amidst this time of uncertainty and change, I’ve seen resiliency, adaptation, ingenuity, compassion and unity in its truest, most authentic form. Locals have rallied around efforts to support our local businesses and non-profit organizations. Manufacturers have shifted their production to retain their talented workforce, while filling a critical need of personal protective equipment for medical professionals on the front lines of fighting this epidemic. Retailers, arts/culture organizations, restaurants, gyms/fitness businesses have taken a hard pivot into the digital space – offering online ordering, Facebook live sales, DIY at-home projects, educational content and more. Local, state and federal lawmakers have worked to create bipartisan legislation to provide much needed aid for hardworking Americans and businesses of all size. I’ve seen neighbors serving neighbors – through providing food for students in need, displaying teddy bears or hearts in their windows as a sign of hope, and grocery store runs for the immunocompromised and elderly.
All of these examples are a mere sampling of what has occurred, but are indicative of our very nature — the definition of who we are as Catawbans. From the Miracle of Hickory during the devastating polio epidemic, to the Great Recession, within more recent memory, our community time and time again has pulled together, hunkered down and has come through bruised, but not defeated. The COVID-19 economic disruption will be no different.
The health and well-being of our community is top priority. Our neighbors’ lives are at risk and we cannot afford to overwhelm our healthcare infrastructure. With this in mind, our government leaders have had to make some tough choices in order to flatten the curve. We must withstand these temporary setbacks, all while doing our part to protect our families, co-workers and neighbors.
It continues to be an honor to serve in this role on your behalf every day. Regardless of the IRS definition that we must abide by, in my eyes all businesses are “essential” —
You make up our local economy, bring personality to our cities and season our culture.
You create a place to belong, to connect, to celebrate and to cultivate a new relationship.
Your teams are built with diversity, a beautifully knit tapestry of backgrounds, perspectives and ethnicity that represent us as a whole.
You are the familiar faces mixing up our favorite cocktail or the server who brings a smile by remembering your name.
You are the retailer that pays attention to every detail — from your front window display to your thoughtfully selected merchandise.
You provide opportunity, a second chance, a means of supporting a family and the hope and promise of a better future.
You make and sell products that improve the lives of humanity across our region, country and the globe.
You have sacrificed much for incremental growth, have been faced with tough decisions and have seen seasons of success and set back.
You are stylists, therapists and self-care professionals who have mastered your craft to provide needed rest, healing, enhanced confidence, or even a listening ear, to your clientele.
You give our communities vibrancy, energy and attraction.
You are essential….and you are needed. Just a few short months ago, we rolled out our new tagline, “Working For Business.” This has never been truer — we aim to be clarity amidst confusion, strength amidst uncertainty and a strong voice amidst clamor. We are your partner, sounding board, advocate and are in this with you.
Working for Business,
Lindsay Keisler
www.LindsayKeisler.com 