I was cleaning up my computer files today and came across this draft blog post content that I created a year ago this week. So much has changed yet so much is still the same as the pandemic continues, we’re still in the midst of various Public Health restrictions, and business isn’t back to normal.
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“Dear 2020, none of this sh*t was on my vision board”
Well, Q1 of 2020 didn’t turn out totally as planned. Back in January, when we were all planning for a new year, a new decade, who would ever have imagined we would be going into a worldwide pandemic and confined to our homes? Not us.
We had big goals and plans of rolling out a ton of in-person events and training sessions starting in April, we’ve been ordering furniture and equipment for our coworking spaces in anticipation of our opening our doors to more women on a daily basis for connecting, training and working side by side.
On a personal level, had visions of travelling more this year, sharing experiences with our daughter and other family members and friends. Getting out and doing more group activities like bowling, swimming lessons and soccer.
For now, all of these group ventures seem so far away and unknown. Does that mean all that planning and visioning was a waste of time? Nope. Someday we will be back to gathering in person. Sharing a cup of coffee side by side, hugging friends after a play date, and learning from each other face to face.
What does it mean in this time of uncertainty and social distancing? It’s time to revisit our purpose and pivot our activities.
Our purpose is to connect women across rural and northern Manitoba to high-quality services, other entrepreneurs to inspire/encourage them, and spaces where they can gather and do business. Although our gathering in person is halted for now, thankfully with technology we can still continue to connect and share at a distance.
Going into Q2 of 2020 this week, our team is regrouping and refocusing. We’re going back to the whiteboard to look at how do we continue to fulfill our purpose within the constraints that we’re all facing. What information and supports do our community of women need right now and how can we get that to them? How do we keep advocating for women entrepreneurs in rural and northern Manitoba so that they’re voices are heard and considered in important policy or program development? How do we keep showing up for each other on a day by basis to acknowledge this weird time that we’re going through and to navigate the ups and downs?
Although we’re now sitting behind our computers from the comforts of our own homes instead of in-person sitting next to you with a cup of tea or coffee, we are still here for you and cheering you on.
Let us know how you’re being affected and how we can help. For some, this has thrown your businesses completely off track and for others, it’s a time of new opportunity and ideas. Whatever your path is right now, keep going and reach out for support.
Need some help piloting or taking a look at things, adjusting your activities to ride the unknown wave that these next months will bring? Book a phone or video chat with us and we’d be happy to help. Our services are still complimentary.
P.S. 2020, we still have 9 months to get things back on track.
