Entrepreneurship 101: Guide to Reopening your Business

 Get started reopening your business

As more people are vaccinated and the threat of COVID-19 decreases, businesses and schools are opening to full capacity. After spending over a year in quarantine and observing social distance laws, many business owners may be wondering how to return to normal. According to CNN, the economy is still recovering from the pandemic, with many industries having difficulties finding staff, largely due to concerns regarding wages. Earlier this month, California reopened, with sources telling The New York Times that they felt relieved to “see old faces” again.

Earlier this year, Layne Lyons talked to us about complying with CDC guidelines and utilizing liability waivers in reopening your business. But outside of a legal framework, what steps can you take to get your reopening plan in motion and more customers in the door?

What should you keep in mind when reopening your business?

1. Stay up to date with guidelines. Your city and/or state should have information readily available online regarding opening timelines, standards, and safety precautions. It may help to utilize these guidelines in signage around your business.
2. Those still in areas with high COVID-19 numbers should maintain social distancing and regular sanitizing in order to keep patrons and employees safe. While many people are vaccinated, there are still concerns about variants and unvaccinated populations. Those who are unvaccinated should continue wearing masks and taking precautions in public. As of the end of June, WHO urged all citizens — including the vaccinated — to continue wearing masks to fight the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant.
3. Incentivize employees and customers to come back! Returning to normal after living under COVID restrictions for over a year will no doubt cause whiplash and discomfort for many people. Utilize creative marketing campaigns, and let your community know that your business is safe and excited to get back to work.
4. Be flexible and understanding. Many employees may feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed returning to full-time work. One solution is maintaining a hybrid work model, as Ideamix is currently doing. This allows workers to come in when they are able and helps to improve their work ethic. Communicate with employees to find solutions that fit both of your needs.

For those returning to work after the pandemic, slowly begin to adopt new habits at your own pace. Get back into wearing professional clothes when working, rather than opting to stay in more casual outfits. As you begin to head back into work, figure out a commuting schedule and plan to readjust to going places. Above all, pace yourself to prevent burnout; going back to work and regularly seeing customers and coworkers can be overwhelming. Take your time and work hard.

For more ideas to improve your business, check out the Ideamix Idealab.