FIRM

Today I"m looking at how to get firm footing on the path to our market during the corona confinement.  Some of us have had almost everything we are used to knocked out from under us. Most of us don't know if the next step is going to feel firm or we're going to fall through the losses and not get to the other side unscathed. Every step seems to be dependent on other things holding the way firm and keeping everything together. 

I'm involved in a little business and in our third year, 2019, we sold most of our products to Museum Gift Shops here in Southern Alberta.  I made some calls in the Fall and was given open doors to follow up in March of 2020 which is buying season for those catering to tourists.  As it turns out the retailers who purchase our goods are all closed down and tourism isn't exactly an 'essential' service with no one being allowed to travel or congregate anywhere for any reason. 

In addition to that we geared up with extra product in our Paleo collection to show at the 2020 Paleo Symposium at the local University that is attended by hundreds of people, including international experts.  That was cancelled leaving us with a lot of product.  Each market we were used to approaching is not here right now.  It's also anyone's guess when we might be back in business.  On the other side, some of the components we ordered, still haven't arrived, and they are paid for.  It's too late to cancel the order and they are the last component for custom orders promised last fall by one of our best customers. 

My illustration shows what we feel we are looking at right now with broken steps to hinder our crossing over.  There's the fear factor that we might not get to the other side at all this year because the corona virus has taken some steps away.  One option is to go around the broken steps since the ropes holding the steps look sturdy and strong enough, except it's a balancing act for sure.  The other option is to go as far as we can and then 'throw' the stuff over to the other side, hoping there's someone there to carry them to market.  That represents trying more online sales.   

One option is to take two new boards, some nails and tools and fill in the gap to make a firm footing and a safe path.  The bridge will still be swinging and not feel 100% secure, but selling never is.  I don't know what that looks like in the natural.  But I do have one idea to take videos of our stock and send them to our prospects so when they are back buying, if there's any tourist season left this year, we will be considered.  What do you think? 

We are looking for a firm way to cross over to our market besides just waiting to see what's going to happen and when. Any ideas?   

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