David Dadekian | Eat Drink RI LLC founder and owner
The COVID-19 crisis has laid bare the financial difficulties and inequities that are part of food and beverage businesses around the world. One of the many things that I love so much about the industry is the creativity and never-say-die attitude of those who produce, prepare and serve our food and drink. Some tips for all small businesses to consider:
• Innovate: Now’s the time to try that special project that you’ve been thinking about for ages. I’ve seen pantry and grocery boxes for sale, groups of farms and restaurants connecting for delivery packages, and places bottling up their beloved cocktail mixes. If there’s another way to make some income, then there’s no better time to try it.
• Communicate: Heck, overcommunicate if it seems like you’re “talking” a lot. Some of the most illuminating things I’ve read from local owners have been via email newsletters – and of course there’s social media. Letting your regulars know how your business is doing and what you’re up to can be very valuable.
• Educate: The general populace is only now waking up to the difficulties and razor-thin profit margins that come with owning a small business. Much as we’ve been teaching the public about the value of local purchasing, now’s the time to teach them about your business so that we come out of this pandemic stronger, happier and better equipped for a long, stable future.
Keep up the local love and we’ll all get through this, well fed and hopefully happier for it.