The 2020 Redemption
Written by Peter Stilwell
A sign hangs over my office door on which is written a quote from a favorite movie that simply says: “Get Busy Livin’, or Get Busy Dyin’. Never have these words been truer than they are today as we continue to muddle our way through a global pandemic that seems to be on a perpetual quick-moving treadmill with no end in sight. Records of all types have been shattered almost every day with the eb and flow of COVID-19 cases, once-thriving businesses are shuttering, and our nation is caught up in a web of political “BS” in advance of the end of this never-ending year.
Tarheel Communications, like the majority of small business around the world, was forced to hit the snooze button in the spring months, as we watched our list of valued clients dwindle—equal to the day our business started over 11 years ago. Projects were put on indefinite hold, events were canceled and agency relationships like ours were the first to be sacrificed as businesses faced the “non-essential” approach for their operations. Our company’s largest-owned event, scheduled way back in April 2020 was on track to be the bast ever, but we were unfortunately impelled to table the event in anticipation of the COVID tsunami that was beginning to overtake the world. I think we have all aged five years since the spring of 2020.
Like thousands of other businesses, we took advice and direction from the scientists and government leaders to shelter in place and hunker down until the storm passed. As a truly small business, it was painful to advise my two employees, who happen to be my sons, to seek unemployment assistance, and my time at the auxiliary office in our kitchen was spent trying to shore up any money or support available to stay in business. I learned how fragile our business model was, that having all of our “eggs” in a singular basket was not a wise strategy.
When I finally was allowed to move back in our “real” office, that sign still hangs there, albeit dusty. Get Busy Livin’, or Get Busy Dyin’. The new buzz term ‘’reinvent” quickly became the mantra for most small business that were trying to hang on. In fact, over 95% of all small businesses that are still in operation today have be reinvented due to the pandemic. Fine dining became fast food, retail flipped from store front to laptop, and Zoom became the new boardroom. The “new normal” took hold of everything we used to do and has caused everyone in business to basically “fish or cut bait.” The incredible loss of lives is beyond tragic. The unfortunate loss of business is something we will never forget, nor should we. But there will be a future after this unprecedented year.
It may take tunneling out from the “cell” we have been living in, but patience and perseverance will eventually overcome the painful lessons of 2020 if anything will. The drive for success and creativity will return. Events, when they are safe, will be both needed distractions and reward for hard work. People and businesses will adjust, and to borrow from another classic film line, “life will find a way.” Andy Dufresne (The Shawshank Redemption) had it right: we need to live with plans and should not live away our life without doing anything. We need to continue working for our future.
Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying!
