Business Ideas: Addressing a Long-term Problem? Serving What Market?

Innovative entrepreneurs have responded to the changing, COVID-19 induced economy have either completely shifted their business to profit or scrapped one to start another. Some local businesses have succeeded in such adaptation, and the following ideas may determine if your plan is potentially effective.

The best innovations are created in response to specific, urgent, and sizable problems. COVID has created a variety of needs and wants such as PPE supplies, safe shopping and dining options, games and entertainment and recreation for staying at home. But will this cluster of problems and needs still be needed three to five years from now? Many current habits were becoming a trend even before the virus hit. In 2016 and 2018, for example, 2 different food trucks won Michelin stars. This shows that the world was already opting out of formal dining into the gastro-casual style dining that trucks and takeout can offer. Another such phenomenon is the internet – I have been writing for years that if your business does not include a way to shop remotely, you were missing the boat. This is a trend that will not be reversed.

In my position as COO, manager, coach, trainer, recruiter at J. Philip Real Estate, I often teach about finding the markets of the moment. To survive as a Realtor, you must be able to discern whether they shift and pivot your business model to accommodate these markets whether you like then or not. Such as Rentals, investment, foreclosures etc., or else you are likely to have a short career. Laura Rudovic owner of Laura’s Boutiques, pivoted as she went from making wedding dresses to masks as she eagerly awaits to open her new Bridal Showroom! Kristen Haefner, owner of Bespoke Commodities has been shifting since Day 1. “In 2012 I started out making kids’ accessories part time while having a full time job,” says Kristen. “Then the pandemic hit, causing me to lose my full time job and that made me decide to put my heart and soul into my business. I haven’t looked back and couldn’t be happier providing everyone with a new line of fun products to make staying at home a little easier. Business has been booming ever since.”

The above are some great examples of how to adapt to changing times. We are looking to showcase as many businesses that have shifted and thrived during the Pandemic as well as we want to hear from those in need.

Jennifer Maher

Chairwoman, Putnam County Business Council

Labor/HR Webinar Series – Year End Legislative Review/Year Ahead Preview

Labor/HR Webinar Series | Year End Legislative Review/Year Ahead Preview

This will be our chance to take a breath and review all that’s happened in 2020 and what we expect to happen in 2021. If you are planning on updating your handbook in early 2021, this program will cover all you need to consider.

DATE: Thursday, December 17

TIME: 11:00 am – 12:00 PM

Click BELOW to register

Reminder | SBA Webinars on PPP Forgiveness

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting four webinars on the topic of PPP Loan Forgiveness.p

They have asked that those interested in attending send an email to SBA representative Man – Li requesting one of the below dates to attend. (Registration link has been updated)

Monday, December 14 | 12:30 PM
Monday, December 21 | 12:30 PM
Monday, December 28 | 12:30 PM

The webinars are FREE, but you must contact the SBA to pre-register.

NYS Coronavirus Update: Latest COVID-19 News

Here is the latest COVID-19 news impacting New York State.

Survey: More Than Half NYers Reluctant To Get Coronavirus Vaccine. Read Full Article

Speaker Pelosi says there is ‘momentum’ to reach Covid relief deal. Read Full Article

Both Sides Call for Compromise As Congress Inches Closer to COVID Relief Bill. Read Full Article

Governor Cuomo Announces New Record-High Number of Covid-19 Tests Reported to New York State

205,466 COVID-19 Tests Reported to New York State Yesterday
Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.55 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.15 Percent
Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.66 Percent
32 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Governor Cuomo Announces Updated Covid-19 Micro-cluster Focus Zones – New Zones in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester Counties

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(click the links below to see the maps)

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Orange County: Newburgh, New Windsor, Middletown, and Highland Falls have seen an increase in positivity rates and number of daily cases, meeting the metrics for yellow precautionary zones.
Rockland County: The current Rockland zone will be expanded to include additional areas that have seen an increase in positivity and cases, including Pearl River, West Haverstraw, Stony Point and Suffern. Click Here for Map.
Westchester County: New Rochelle, Ossining, Tarrytown, Yonkers and Peekskill have all seen an increase in positivity rates and number of daily cases, meeting the metrics for precautionary yellow zones in each area. Port Chester continues to have an Orange and Yellow zone