We all know right now that we are living through something historic. Something that literally came out of thin air- I realize that this has affected everyone in every industry around the world but I am only addressing the small to medium size businesses in the events industry.

We are trying to take care of our families, hold on to our businesses, console our employees and just trying to make sense of what is happening. Let’s look back in history and remember those early days of the 1980s where everything was in abundance the big & showy events and then we remember 1993’s recession where events were tightening budgets, lowering guest counts or not even having the events.. yet we came back. Then September 11 with the country under attack- The nation was paralyzed. American business stood still for almost a week, yet we came back. Then 2008 market crash Events- came to a halt- how could anybody celebrate when they were forced to lay off employees, slash spending The financial crisis in 2008 hit small businesses hard – in fact, harder than large firms. Many small businesses tried to find new ways to survive yet we came back Most of us never experienced a time when the doors of our businesses just closed - when there was absolutely no business. you walk the halls of your office ,your commissary , your studio, your warehouse where just weeks ago it was a hustling thriving business and now there is silence.

BUT.. We’ve been here before. History offers some important lessons on how we can deal with the coronavirus pandemic, about a decade ago the H 1 N 1 swine flu killed more than 12,000 Americans and hospitalized more than 274,000 in the US, The 1968 flu pandemic estimated number of deaths was 1 million worldwide and about 100,000 in the United States and the most severe pandemic in modern history happened in 1918 when the flu infected about 1/3 of the worlds population and killed an estimated 675,000 people in the US alone. If we look back in history and we remember those of us who lived in days of the 1993 recession, September 11th, 2008 market crash, we did not know how it was going to end and there was enormous anxiety and yet history tells us that each one of those situations we came through and we really did emerge stronger than ever before, history provides solace in perspective.

Small business owners have to make tough choices The coronavirus outbreak has global health consequences, and it puts many small businesses at economic risk. If your business is struggling financially due to the coronavirus, I found some resources that can help. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce put together this toolkit to help businesses and citizens alike understand how to navigate the coronavirus. There are guidelines on how small business owners can ensure they are keeping their customers and employees safe. The toolkit also includes a business checklist. This checklist can help you figure out what to prioritize and to create a plan of communication for your employees. Everyone is facing this crisis together, so be transparent about what your business is going through. Customers can empathize with brands facing a crisis, as long as you communicate with them properly.

The SBA announced it would offer disaster assistance loans for up to $2 million for small businesses affected by the coronavirus. These low-interest loans are available to businesses that have sustained “substantial economic injury” due to the spread of the coronavirus. These loans can be used to pay off outstanding debts, payroll and any other bills they are unable to pay. However, small businesses that have access to credit are not eligible. Small businesses with no available credit qualify for an interest rate of 3.75%, and nonprofits will have an interest rate of 2.75%. The SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with state governors that submit relief requests. Once a state or territory is approved, these affected businesses will receive more information. You can find a regularly updated list of states where disaster assistance is being offered here. Even if your state is not yet offering disaster assistance you can begin to prepare to apply by looking over the information required.

Facebook said it would launch a $100 million program consisting of grants in an effort to help small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.

For small business owners, running our companies can be all-encompassing. entrepreneurial ventures target high returns with an equally high level of uncertainty and this is one of those times.

I don’t have the answers- I’m living this right along with you. If you need to talk or just vent- I’m here for you- meryl@merylsnow.com