CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on many local small businesses and many online business owners have prepared and are hoping for a successful Cyber Monday.
“You know, what are we going to do going forward? Is this something that is sustainable? Because we didn’t know how things were going to change,” said Owner of Becca's By the Bay, Becca Harton.
Harton said once the global health crisis hit our nation, her sales came to a halt for a couple of months. In that time Harton could examine and analyze customer needs. With Cyber Monday Harton says she began preparing her merchandise early.
“Probably starting in August, is when we think about our holiday products and getting them made I am restocking somethings because we have been selling out of some things a little sooner than I thought,” said Harton.
The coronavirus crisis has lead Harton not to sell her products at in-person events. Owner of Love is a Seed Amanda Mathews says not having events is a challenge.
“Are big art shows have been canceled, most of our weekly events have been canceled or postponed we went to 4 events every week to maybe 1 or 2 every week,” said Mathews.
Mathews says her online store has made a huge impact in selling her creative one of a kind art pieces.
“I opened a little Esty store and was really new at all of this, and was testing the waters but it became something that has become a really strong presence for our business,” said Mathews.
Mathews says she began early in letting her customers know about new items, discounts, and more all for Cyber Monday.
“If we didn’t have social media,10 years ago if this all happened I don’t think many of us could’ve survived. And so I’m really looking forward for that moment where we're like we did it, we overcame this 2020 time,” said Mathews.
To see the online store for Becca’s By the Bay click here.
To see the online store for Love is a Seed click here.
