Small business owners are prepared for a lot of things, whether it’s a seasonal shift in sales or an unexpected employee absence. But we’ve never seen anything like the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving us uncertain about how to cope in these strange times. While it can be stressful, it can also be a time of innovation and growth. As entrepreneurs try to figure out their own unique path forward, we wanted to share how one of our clients is managing their way through this crisis.
Flowers by Nature, a unique flower shop in East Aurora, NY, run by Force of Nature, Cheryl Gicewicz, had to close its doors and lay off its staff like so many other businesses following the COVID-19 shutdown. Fresh flowers still in the coolers were donated to local nursing homes, but with so much inventory of fun spring gifts, Easter decor and garden accessories, Cheryl saw an opportunity.