With the spread of COVID-19, we have all been affected in many ways. Our hearts go out to so many that are struggling physically, mentally, financially and spiritually during this difficult time. This unprecedented time in our history has had an impact on our event + hospitality industry as well. To zoom in even further, we are experiencing its effects in the stationery niche specifically + wanted to illuminate some of those areas from our unique perspective.
It has been a bit of a domino effect since COVID-19 started to spread back in January. Paper mills began closing down across the world and/or limiting hours based on worker’s safety. Because of this, our distributers have had less inventory to offer + even though we'd pitched a certain stock, texture, color, or size, the limit in supply has proven accommodating those concepts increasingly more difficult. As the virus continues to grow, we are struggling to find the correct envelopes, postage, ribbon, etc for our clients. Shipping + deliveries are seeming to be delayed, making clients wait longer for their completed orders to arrive. Lastly, our work flow + production calendars have been daily adjusting as the need for postponement announcements + informative collateral has taken priority over contracts that are choosing to trudge on, or that are slated for 4th quarter. Since March, the virus has become crippling to some businesses within our industry, with news of postponements + cancellations - affecting cash flows, staff employment, and event rent/lease agreements.
Currently the name of the game has been flexibility - whether that's with supplies, project timelines, deliveries + postage, to even where we conduct business (our studio is currently under construction + my kitchen island/table has become our workspace). The important take away is that we are still committed to serving our clients to the best of our abilities + sticking with them through postponements, even those to 2021. We are committed to our community as well; to help in any way we possibly can during these strange times. We recognize that though we are a small cog in a big wheel, our goal has always been to bring joy, beauty + creativity to the world, now more than ever.
These are strange times, + although we are all feeling it, we want to challenge you to remain flexible + to shift your perspective to one of opportunity, not of cost. I look around at a lot of waste from COVID19, but I believe I have seen positive things come from them as well. More time spent with family. More intentionality in relationships + connectedness. More community support, whether for international causes or for local support initiatives. Before this mess, some of us may have been saying "I would do this if I had more time". Well, we have it now. We are all in this together + it's all about how we handle it. We can do that in complete isolation, or we can do that together. We are so incredibly thankful for all of the essential workers who are putting their lives on the line each day including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, grocery store workers, truck drivers, delivery workers, EMTs, firefighters, police officers + so many more.
Friends, this too shall pass + soon we will be dancing in the streets!