Getting by With a Little Help

In this edition of Below the Surface, I wanted to highlight the village of people that have helped me dig deep over the last 3 months and find my footing when I was stumbling. I think it’s important to acknowledge that no one is an island; my circles of support have always included customers, family, and friends. But recently, I’ve found myself turning to other business owners more than ever.

Almost without exception, these people are self-employed and trying to keep their own hard-hit businesses afloat, or they are running important organizations that have also been hard-hit. These people are important for me to acknowledge because their generosity speaks to the kind of businesses they are running, and I wanted you all to know about them (if you don’t already do).

Each and every one of these people’s businesses or organizations have been hard-hit by the pandemic, but they have showed up for me in really big ways. I have needed more help over the last 3 months than I ever have – new systems, new platforms to learn, new anxieties, big decisions, facing existential challenges, not being sure how to navigate, and needing lots of emotional support.

I don’t think I would still be operating at the level that we are without this village of people (and others of course). I want to specifically acknowledge the people who are in the schmuck with me, trying to get their businesses and organizations to survive this crisis, but who showed up for me big time even though they themselves could use the help. As I look through this list, I can’t help but feel so grateful to know these people.

If you need any of the products and services that these folks work in, I’d encourage you to look no further. They are the cream of the crop and have been crucial to BBU’s continued success. 

Carley Schlek (Urban Element) – Carley answered my call when I needed some help with a long-term vision for recovery. She literally spent hours on a zoom call with me, and when I left it, I felt a sense of confidence in myself and my judgement. She’s been in business for 15 years – her catering & food education company are offering online cooking classes at the moment. They bring all the ingredients to you and you get to have a cooking class from the comfort of your home.

Adam Ricci (Royal Lepage) – Adam answered my call when I was in a great deal of despair over my commercial rent woes (which you can read more about in another edition of this blog). He is a steady presence, and the perfect antidote to any stressful moment. He is coping with a hard-hit real estate landscape by taking everything in stride and the perfect dose of humour. He’s the type of person you want on your team if you are looking for real estate.

Elena Palanza (Boy Meets Girl Vintage & Freelance Graphic Design) – Elena’s vintage company is known for putting on a great show at markets all over the city. This year, this is all but impossible. She’s been working hard at her other job in freelance graphic design to fill in the gap. She has been a source of emotional support, and in her own time of difficulty, actually designed our “Ottawa Bread List” graphic free of charge. She is a true talent and a generous human.

Paul Slomp & Josee Cyr-Charlebois (Grazing Days) – Where would we be without these two gems from Grazing Days Farm? Paul and I spent almost every day on the phone together throughout April and May coordinating and strategizing. Not only did they step in to do deliveries for BBU so that we could stay connected to you, but they also helped me overcome some initial hurdles to set up our online store. I am hard-pressed to name a business duo more thoughtful & conscientious than they are.

Liz Mok (Mooshu Ice Cream) – Liz has reached out to me multiple times to see how I’m holding up, and we connected over the phone when my anxieties over getting the online store up and running were at a maximum. I am not sure if I was even coherent on that call, but Liz’ steady calmness and reassurances gave me the confidence to dive into this new system. She reminded me that nothing is perfect when it first gets started, so dive in buddy and the rest will follow! Liz is known for her incredible scratch-made ice cream and take-out goodies, and I admire her values-driven business.

Karen Secord (Parkdale Food Centre) – I believe deep down that Karen actually has a clone that she is not telling us about, because I don’t know how else to explain the power that this woman possesses. I recently called Karen because she is so incredibly good at finding solutions, and I needed someone like that in my corner in that moment. The Parkdale Food Centre has been overwhelmed with new demand and are facing fundraising shortfalls, but nonetheless Karen has showed up for me multiple times.