COVID can't stop this small business: WHS rethinks business amidst pandemic.

By: Anthony Zabielski

COVID was a surprise to everyone and changed everything in the world.  WHS Hockey Coach and small business owner Eric Fanelli took it like a champ. 

 During COVID, a lot of small businesses were shut down due to lack of business during the initial lockdown, but he powered through taking his sales to the web.  By doing this he showed everyone that there was a way to beat COVID and stay afloat.

COVID affected everyone badly but a group of people that were hit hardest were the owners of small businesses.  Many Owners had to shut down because they were not getting enough business.

For Eric Fanelli, his business increased because he took a new approach to selling by doing it online.  His business sells new and used sports equipment so many people purchased over quarantine because sports were the only activities available to most people.

Fanelli also made some of his own masks, he realised that they would be selling like crazy so he adapted to the market. He made the masks because people were having trouble finding them due to such large demand.  He made the masks from hockey socks and sold them for cheap!

When asked how he made it through COVID, he said, “It was a lot of work, but I made it happen, I was not going down without a fight.”  Fanelli now has one of if not the most successful accounts on SidelineSwap. SidelineSwap is an app for selling just about anything that is sports related online.

Some advice he has for other businesses that have been struggling with sales was to find more ways to sell their products, and that there is always more than one way.  He also suggested that you advertise your products/service because more exposure will help.  And everyone just needs to think outside of the box.

Since COVID has made everyone's life difficult these tips are not just for business.  If you are having difficulty with a task, just think outside of the box.  Look at other people that have the same problems as you; Don't only look for what they are doing, look at what they are not doing.  What other people are not doing might be the way for you.  You could use these tips to help with your schoolwork or other tasks you have during these difficult times.



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