Not gonna lie, it’s been a shitty week so far. How things can change in a matter of a few days.
Despite my own views on this pandemic, it has bared its fangs in regards to small business in Alberta. Today Transcend made the agonizing decision to lay off everyone apart from the management team, in order to reduce costs in an attempt to keep the business afloat. With declining revenues and mounting pressures to reduce personal contact, we are operating the cafes as to-go only for as long as that option remains viable. Our hope is to maintain our roasting facility so that we can meet our obligations in terms of coffee subscriptions and bean sales.
I couldn’t have imagined the world we find ourselves a part of in my wildest dreams. It’s hard to conceive how fifteen years of building something can be jeopardized by something you can’t even see. I know so many businesses across this province that are similarly reeling from the cascading impact that COVID is having, and it is tragic at every level.
I am not sure how to navigate this for the next three to six months, but I guess this becomes the next big problem to solve for the business community. I am very thankful for the committed and passionate team of people I have to work with through this. I have no doubt whatsoever that we will make it through the health aspects of this pandemic, but I am far less optimistic about the economic future facing us. I have never been the “raw-raw” guy, as most of you know all too well. My perspective always slides to the more realistic side of things, not un-optimistic, but I threw away the rose coloured glasses years ago. Owning a business requires a healthy risk-tolerance, but there is no schooling for this one. I know we are all encouraged to reduce contact, stay at home, and I am not suggesting otherwise. But that said, if you are out and about, or are going to order online, think of your local small business as they madly scramble to stay afloat.