A Note From Susan During Lockdown
As we enter the second month of lockdown, and struggle to adapt to completely new ways of living and working, I thought that I would record what the experience has been like for me.
Well, on a business level its really been a challenge that I was not prepared for. Just as all the uncertainties of Brexit were beginning to abate, and a new air of confidence was resulting in new interest, listings and sales, this new unwelcome wrecking ball came out of nowhere and temporarily scuppered so many dreams. Overnight, exciting new listings were delayed, slowly escalating orders were stopped in their tracks and we were left wondering how we could salvage an increasingly precarious business even though believed our ‘seed snacks’ had a role to play as a ‘must have’ shopping basket treat to help low carb snack lovers keep healthy and fight immunity.
I knew that we would need to pivot quickly moving our business more online if we were to continue to enjoy the amazing uplift in sales that so many others were experiencing. Luckily we were invited to join some fantastic new online supermarkets that have been created specifically for small brands, such as mighty small, shelf now, foodchain (launching soon), StockupSmall (launching soon).
It has certainly been very odd visiting the Post Office in recent weeks. It’s strange how quickly ‘unforeseen’ becomes a new normal as I don gloves and mask for my next Post Office drop. I have developed a strange sort of comraderie with the post-office staff. I almost enjoy it in truth, as it gives me a ‘real’ excuse to leave the house to spread a little Pep & Lekker joy. I had some lovely dialogue with someone only this week, someone who had the virus and said that our Seed Snacks were one of the few things that she can eat to keep her going at the moment.
I am also proud of all the donations that we have given to hospitals and NHS workers. It’s a small thing but our way to say thank you and contribute to the wider national effort.
One of the positives about being an entrepreneur, are the new, ever-changing situations in which you find yourself, and the people that you meet. Zoom meetings provide some much appreciated respite but are clearly always second best.
However, I do appreciate that I am much more fortunate than many as I do live in a house and both my children, although in their 20’s, have returned home for lockdown.
Home is a very strange place at the moment, as it’s a ‘hive of activity’. My husband and I and 2 boys are all working from home and we are all constantly on the move to find a space where we can have a quiet business call without interruption. Our internet at home is also suspect at the best of times, so we’re always jockeying for the best signal! All of us are very stressed and anxious in our own way, my husband is a ‘key worker’, and my son has compromised immunity.
However, we try and keep it together and have had no family ‘bust up’ yet. Let’s hope this is not tempting fate. I think that the glue that is sustaining us is our Newfoundland dog, Freya. She has never had so much attention, food or walks and spends the day smiling or snoring contently.
Exercise has always been very important to me and I have tried to include it within my daily routine despite lockdown. As we are only allowed out once a day to exercise, I now have to combine my dog walk and a run, which is tricky when you have a dog that is an unrepentent ‘couch potato’. As Freya has had 2 knee operations, the run is more of a light jog, and confined to the way home only.
We are very lucky to have a garden, and from various odds and ends that he has found in the house, my eldest son has created a circuit routine. This is great when the sun is shining. But when it’s cold and raining I am not a fan! My poor yoga mat, which has been pristine for over 10 years, is now muddy and bedraggled, and will never be welcome back into a yoga studio.
Alongside work and general household and immediate family commitments, Iife has been busy, as I have an elderly mother who is self-isolating and a sister who is disabled and in a care home. They both rely on me completely as they have no other immediate family. For them the situation is really grim, but I try and keep their spirits up with daily phone-calls, and ensuring that they are well-fed.
It is true about the amazing positives that come out of a very dark situation. I agreed to collect food for our local food bank and met neighbours that I had never met before. Many were so lovely and incredibly generous. I could not work for 2 days as the doorbell kept on ringing with food being left, on our doorstep and it needed 2 cars to transport all the donations.
I am definitely missing my mother and sister, close friends, holidays, tennis and spinning, and so much more besides. As a worrier by nature, I have now extra concerns about the business and what the future will bring, but it is important to continue to remain positive and grateful. Maybe it was important that we had this stop and reset and appreciate and re-evaluate what is really important in life!