Don’t let a season of losing turn into a season of snoozing
For small businesses in the early days of COVID: people who lost before they won, from Bill Gates to Abraham Lincoln.
James Orsini
Mar 18, 2020 · 2 min read
Wow in less than one week; can it really be? The US Economy has been pummeled by Corona Virus fears. What a time to lead a company who has a heart for the entrepreneur and small business owner. My team here at The Sasha Group is overwhelmed by client business disruption calls. From restaurants based in central business districts on the verge of collapse, to florist who have seen every celebration, gathering, and happy occasion postponed, to contractors who’s home construction jobs have been cancelled because everyone is now work from home (#WFH) and doesn’t want the disruption of hammers and electric saws interrupting their zoom business meetings or kids google hang out classroom session.
It’s a good time to take a breath, we simply can’t control what is not in our control. It’s a good time to dig deep. It’s a good time to be unified. It is NOT a good time to Snooze! But it is a good time to reflect on history and seemingly losing situations and how they turned out for some folks. History has a way of turning seasons of losing around. Let’s explore some:
>Bill Gates’ first business failed (can you say Microsoft now?)
>Walt Disney was fired for not being “Innovative” enough (oh really now?)
>Steve Jobs was a college dropout and was fired from the company he started (can you say Apple now?)
And it doesn’t only hold true for Business leaders:
>Steven Speilberg was rejected 3 times from film schools (how many Oscars?)
>Mickey Mantle was sent back to the minor leagues (Yankee legend?)
>Michael Jordan was cut from his High School basketball team (G.O.A.T?)
And my absolute favorite in this category of losers not snoozing Abraham Lincoln. Yep Honest Abe, failed twice in business, lost eight (8) elections and suffered a nervous breakdown and was in bed for 6 months. Oh yeah, he went on to be our 16th President and did some cool stuff from what I recall. Need I say more?
These are trying times and the worst is likely still in front of us. But I implore my small business audience to keep your eyes wide open for pivot opportunities to enable you to stay in the game, don’t quit, and don’t let a season of losing turn into a season of snoozing.