This is a list specifically for small business owners navigating this crisis. I navigated Prime Pizza through the pandemic and learned some lessons during that time. Hoping this helps some people.

1. Communicate with your staff. Tell them what you know and what you don’t know. Establish a regular cadence of communication. If you plan on paying them during this closure, tell them that so they can plan accordingly.

2. If you have insurance submit a claim for business interruption. Talk to your adjuster about what is and isn’t covered, i.e. there are nuanced differences between coverage for evacuation orders v.s. utility shutoffs. They will also reimburse for spoiled product and other things.

3. Apply for every piece of government assistance available! FEMA, SBA disaster loans, Toast POS loans, small business grants etc. These loans have VERY favorable rates and are the cheapest money you will ever get. You do not know what is around the corner and even if you feel secure in the moment that could change. If you don’t end up needing the money you can always pay it off. This will help you be able to pay your employees and invest in the business.

4. Email/call all of your vendors and ask for a temporary pause on invoices. These people have likely been with you for a while and they will understand. All of our vendors gladly said yes to this.

5. Also re: vendors- reach out to them and ask for product donations. If you are a new or very small business you will need all the help you can get. Restarting business and having to purchase all new inventory (especially if you don’t have insurance) is costly. Cast a wide net- anyone you do business with in any way is a vendor, including your POS company etc. If you are a more established business, you can take the cash value of these donations and use it to start a fund for your most affected employees. This is what we did at Prime.

6. GoFundMe campaigns: this one is tricky for me. There are a lot of resources out there that you can use before you have to turn to gofundme. My feeling is that it is better to see what you can get from insurance/govt/vendors before asking your community to give you money. Others feel you have to strike while the iron is hot. It’s a personal decision. One option is to create a very specific campaign and only send it to a group of people you know can afford it, i.e. a fund for your most affected employees that you send to investors, vendors etc.

7. Tell your story! This is going to be a very impactful time for your business. Your customers and community want to hear from you. Document what you are doing on social, reach out, interact, connect with the community. It’s a time to be open, not closed.

8. If you are an established business and you know you are going to be ok, spend your time helping others who are less fortunate.
It’s the right thing to do and it’s good business. It will come back to you.

If anyone has any questions I am happy to be a resource in any way I can.
Please email me at zak@primepizza.la Take care and best of luck!