Your Total Guide To Business

My Strategy For Surviving Coronavirus

By Lizzie Bayley, of ZeroDryTime offering carpet and upholstery cleaning across Wiltshire, Bath and Cirencester . Lizzie runs the franchise for those areas with a small team.

When did you realise the Coronavirus could be a problem for you and your business?

When my employee said that they weren’t feeling very well and was worried he would have to isolate in mid March. Then my other technian became poorly and then I got really really sick. I had the virus, and had to inform everyone I'd been in contact with and move, with my fiancé, out of my parents' home. I haven’t been back in nine weeks and am currently staying in Chippenham.

This virus is terrible. For me it was pain everywhere, from ears to toes. Imagine the flu with chronic pain, including moving your eyes. I had difficulty catching breath and then I had heavy fever and sweats for ten days. I lost all sense of taste and smell instantly. I was unwell for 16 days, and then felt pretty sick – and then weakness. The cough didn’t start until day nine or ten. It was bad you wanted to gag couldn’t stop coughing. The cough went on about day 14 followed by exhaustion and headaches. Week three I was back to normal. My fiancé Beth had mild symptoms.

What has been your plan to continue?

Initially it felt that everything I’d worked for was disappearing – all of my hard work had been worth nothing. We had just found a second technician.

I'm a saver, so we'd saved enough to pay him for three months, and to pay for the financing of our kit and vehicle leasing. I didn't qualify for any grant.

My plan is still to build both franchise businesses – and after being so ill, I'm now using this time to put systems in place to run the business when it gets better.

Have you changed your business as the weeks are passing?

We’ve cut our Google ads – looked at the data and we’re going back to old-fashioned original marketing – leafleting, organic posting in Facebook and networking. I'm also systemising the business so there is less paperwork. This has made me realise I was working so hard I wasn't spending enough time with my family. I want my evenings back to be with my fiancé and my family.

Have you been able to access any government support or funding?

We've been able to furlough our two staff and that's it. I've been able to do some work, deep cleaning end of tenancies where I've worn PPE and the properties were empty anyway. I also have products which can deep clean and clean a room of bacteria and viruses.

What have you seen which is positive in business?

There has been so much more support for each other and people seem to be paying more attention to what’s going on with other people, probably because they have the time to do so.

It seems to me that this is giving people time to learn about the businesses of their contacts and to be more focused on helping each other.

What have you seen any negative behaviour in business?

I have seen some companies take grants and not using them as intended. For example to try new marketing techniques. For me those grants need to go to those who really need it and must be used correctly.

Some bigger businesses aren't taking into account smaller businesses feelings. Also there's very little support for many micro businesses where the business is based at home or where company owners are paid in dividends. That's very disappointing.

What advice would you give to others in business?

Connect with local businesses around you and support each other – they won’t always tell you they need support and reach out. Many do need help and support. This will build stronger future relationships.

Your parting thought?

Connect with other people. The biggest thing I've taken from this is the impact this has had on mental health - for myself and for others. Be kind.

For more details visit https://www.zerodrytime.com/

Scott Media

Scott Media is run by a UK-based journalist with more than 20 years' experience in the media - print, radio and television.

6 Gold View, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8GZ

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