My Back To Business Strategy

By Lisa Berry, owner of Cheeky Little Prints. Cheeky Little Prints helps capture your pet’s unique paw print with an easy to use inkless paw print kit that can be posted to you at home. Prints are then tidied up to remove extra furry bits, so you have a nice clear paw print to keep forever. Your pet’s paw print can be showcased in sterling silver jewellery as well as personalised paw print stamps and gifts.

Summarise how Covid-19 has affected you? 

Covid-19 has affected my business in several ways.  Sales have been very up and down, and I have run special offers to help keep sales coming in.  During the first part of lockdown some of my suppliers were shut or running out of stock so I had to strategically order what I thought I would need also bearing in mind cash flow.  It has been tricky, but I have managed so far.  

I am used to working from home and juggling looking after my children as a single parent, but it has been very tough during this period as my children have understandably needed a lot of attention.  I have balanced this by focussing on my children during the day and working as and when I can and then continuing to work late into the evening.

Even though it has been hard, I count myself very lucky that I have been able to continue to run my business.

What has been your plan to continue?  

Consistent marketing even when going through a quiet period, continuing to be visible is incredibly important to ensure you are front of mind when your customers are ready to buy from you.  I have kept in contact with customers and reassured them I am still open for business and here to help them.

I try to combine trips to the post office to reduce my risk and I use their Drop and Go service, so I am only in there for a minute or so.  I have been cycling to the post office with my children instead of driving and I hope to continue this going forward.

I set up a new Facebook group for pet owners called Pet Parents Community recently and that has been a positive place for pet owners to talk and share all things 'pets'.  It has been great to give my customers a community where they can talk about and share their pets. 

How have things changed over the last few months?  

Ordering and managing stock levels has been a challenge but I have coped so far and I am continuing to keep in touch with suppliers so I can hopefully ensure I maintain an open supply line for what I need to serve my customers.

Offering contactless collection for local customers has been very helpful when people have needed paw print kits in a hurry, or they may not be home for a parcel so it’s easier to collect.  I have arranged this with each customer based on their needs whilst complying with the restrictions in place.

What has been the most challenging aspect of all of this? 

The uncertainty has been very difficult to adjust to, but the most challenging aspect has been juggling my time.  I love spending time with my children but having very little daytime hours to work makes running a business very challenging.  My children are my priority, but I have responsibilities as a business owner, and I need to keep the business going.  Being a single parent makes this even more challenging, but I have taken things a day at a time and had to accept there is a limit to what I can get done each day.

What has been the most positive aspect? 

I have loved seeing people step up and do things for others, be that businesses or individuals.  For the most part we are all being more thoughtful and considerate and that is so important.  

I have been very pleased to see at least some schools place a big emphasis on children’s mental health and helping them cope with grief. If children are not in the right place mentally, they are not available to learn.  

I have personal experience of this, and I think this pandemic has highlighted that we need to be more concerned about our children’s well-being and not what grades they get in their tests.  Grades are obviously important, but it is not the whole picture. 

Has it made you consider how you feel about other businesses/suppliers/customers/clients for good or otherwise? 

I have seen some local businesses really step up and give great value to the business community and that has further accelerated my already good feelings and loyalty towards them.   

How important is this phrase to you – ‘buy local, supply local’? 

Incredibly important, not just for the positive environmental impact but most local businesses are run by families.  Lots of small business are run by parents and some by single parents like myself.  

Every time someone orders from a local business you help them put food on their table, buy their kids some school shoes or a day trip for the family.  

Your order has a real impact on that business, you are not just another sale, another number on a spreadsheet.  I often find local businesses give better service as well, as they really care.

What are your top tips at this time?  

1. Keep marketing, even if it is quiet, the marketing you do now will have an impact later down the line.

2. Communicate if you have a problem e.g. you can’t get supplies in for a particular product, let your customers know straight away and search for a suitable alternative. If you can’t pay a supplier or are struggling with bills, talk to them and come to an agreement.

3. Do not be too hard on yourself, you are juggling a lot at the moment in very uncertain times. You may not be as productive, but you are doing your best and that is more than enough right now.  

Your parting thought? 

Do not give up. You did not come this far to only get this far. Reach out for help, we all need to support each other right now so as many businesses can survive as possible.

For more information visit www.cheekylittleprints.co.uk