Is your business closed

Next Door

Other business owners are less optimistic. Limited state and federal guidance on how to open safely has created confusion. It’s a balancing act trying to figure out how to do it best, as is boosting employee morale through all of this. Read our helpful guide on how to do that.

Several states are allowing “non-essential” businesses to operate at some level (a handful never ordered any restrictions, including social distancing or shelter-in-place guidelines). Others are slated to allow business operations over the next couple of weeks. But the challenges of reopening in states that closed businesses — especially high-touch businesses like gyms, restaurants and personal grooming businesses — are very real.

Jaimeelynn Richter, owner of Pink Nail Salon near Buffalo, New York, typically services just one client at a time, but isn’t allowed to open yet. She wrote to Nextdoor to say she is preparing to do so, though. She plans to be tested for coronavirus antibodies first and says she “would freshly sanitize” between appointments and will “ask everyone to wear a mask and gloves as they come in.”

Through all of this, bankruptcy filings are increasing, and more are expected. Bankruptcy can impact your credit for up to 10 years, but for some, it may be a better option than going out of business permanently. Here’s a guide to the different types of bankruptcy protection businesses can file for.

Here is more helpful information for getting your business through the crisis:

Fitness gurus with online presence stay strong amid shutdown

Gyms, trainers and the fitness industry at large have struggled as much as any other industry during Covid-19. Having a strong digital presence has helped some fitness gurus maintain their business and, in some cases, actually grow. Here’s how one NYC Pilates studio is using online tools to stay afloat. (If you aren’t already doing business virtually, read our article on how to restructure your business model to go online.)

Now they’re faced with how to safely transition back to in-person practices as some states allow businesses to reopen. As Fit4Mom franchise owner Rachel Lily Campbell told Nextdoor, there is one key ingredient in figuring out how to do that safely and effectively, especially when state and federal guidelines are so vague.

The demand for virtual workouts is definitely strong. Nextdoor member conversations about "workout" and "weights" increased 6X from March to April. References to "running" increased from 4,000/day to 7,000/day in that same time, and "bike" more than doubled.

Whether you’re the owner of a gym, a fitness studio, a personal trainer or even a business outside the fitness industry, Inc.com has some helpful tips for getting back to business.

Of course, if your state is still on lockdown, you may be wondering how to stay afloat until you can reopen, especially if you’ve not received federal stimulus money. In that case, you may want to check out alternatives to federal loan and grant money. There are business lines of credit to consider, and also the Main Street Lending Program.

Here are a few more stories we thought were pretty important this week.

Has your business needed to offer cancellation refunds? It’s a tough thing to do with limited income, but here’s a guide to mutually beneficial refund and cancellation policies that could help.

Struggling to keep in touch with your customers during the shutdown? Check out our helpful tips for email marketing strategies that really work.

It’s not all doom and gloom these days. Here are some good news stories you may have missed.


Is your business closed Next Door Other business owners are less optimistic. Limited state and federal guidance on how to open safely has created confusion. It’s a balancing act trying to figure out how to do it best, as is boosting employee morale through all of this. Read our helpful guide on how to do that. Several states are allowing “non-essential” businesses to operate at some level (a handful never ordered any restrictions, including social distancing or shelter-in-place guidelines). Others are slated to allow business operations over the next couple of weeks. But the challenges of reopening in states that closed businesses — especially high-touch businesses like gyms, restaurants and personal grooming businesses — are very real. Jaimeelynn Richter, owner of Pink Nail Salon near Buffalo, New York, typically services just one client at a time, but isn’t allowed to open yet. She wrote to Nextdoor to say she is preparing to do so, though. She plans to be tested for coronavirus antibodies first and says she “would freshly sanitize” between appointments and will “ask everyone to wear a mask and gloves as they come in.” Through all of this, bankruptcy filings are increasing, and more are expected. Bankruptcy can impact your credit for up to 10 years, but for some, it may be a better option than going out of business permanently. Here’s a guide to the different types of bankruptcy protection businesses can file for. Here is more helpful information for getting your business through the crisis: 7 benefits of digital marketing Avoid making these 5 mistakes when you reopen your business How to create long term emergency business plans Limiting workplace exposure to Covid-19 Fitness gurus with online presence stay strong amid shutdown Gyms, trainers and the fitness industry at large have struggled as much as any other industry during Covid-19. Having a strong digital presence has helped some fitness gurus maintain their business and, in some cases, actually grow. Here’s how one NYC Pilates studio is using online tools to stay afloat. (If you aren’t already doing business virtually, read our article on how to restructure your business model to go online.) Now they’re faced with how to safely transition back to in-person practices as some states allow businesses to reopen. As Fit4Mom franchise owner Rachel Lily Campbell told Nextdoor, there is one key ingredient in figuring out how to do that safely and effectively, especially when state and federal guidelines are so vague. The demand for virtual workouts is definitely strong. Nextdoor member conversations about "workout" and "weights" increased 6X from March to April. References to "running" increased from 4,000/day to 7,000/day in that same time, and "bike" more than doubled. Whether you’re the owner of a gym, a fitness studio, a personal trainer or even a business outside the fitness industry, Inc.com has some helpful tips for getting back to business. Of course, if your state is still on lockdown, you may be wondering how to stay afloat until you can reopen, especially if you’ve not received federal stimulus money. In that case, you may want to check out alternatives to federal loan and grant money. There are business lines of credit to consider, and also the Main Street Lending Program. Here are a few more stories we thought were pretty important this week. Has your business needed to offer cancellation refunds? It’s a tough thing to do with limited income, but here’s a guide to mutually beneficial refund and cancellation policies that could help. Struggling to keep in touch with your customers during the shutdown? Check out our helpful tips for email marketing strategies that really work. It’s not all doom and gloom these days. Here are some good news stories you may have missed.
Chamber Connection - Reay to go back to work?