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10 Small Businesses You Can Help Through The Coronavirus Outbreak
From vintage sellers and personal trainers to family-run restaurants and holiday lets, here are some small businesses and freelancers you can help through the economic downturn Coronavirus (or Covid-19) has sparked
The Coronavirus, or Covid-19, outbreak has sparked economic uncertainty across the globe.
With near-hourly updates of stocks plummeting and mass layoffs, it's difficult to fathom the harm the pandemic will cause to business big and small, not to mention the self-employed.
Thankfully, you can make a difference to the small business entrepreneurs, who are unlikely to have extensive savings, all from the comfort of your home. Put aside some of the money you would usually spend going to restaurants and bars and funnel it towards some of these great people instead:
Craft at home with Made My Wardrobe
Once you've worked your way through Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, and Apple + you may want to ease your visual stimuli fatigue with some good, old-fashion crafting.
Knitting, painting, and jewellery-making are all worthy and mindful ways to both create meaningful work and calm your busy mind, and, even better, if you buy your crafting supplies from a small business who may be taking a financial knock, you'll be hitting two birds with one stone.
Made My Wardrobe's Lydia Higginson predicts she may lose over 30% of her annual earnings through the cancellation of her workshop series, in which she teaches everyone from newbies to sewing aficionados how to create dungarees, dresses jackets and underwear sets themselves.
Thankfully, Higginson also has a line of downloadable sewing patterns (she can also print them off and post them to you) you can purchase from Made My Wardrobe directly for between £10-£15.
'The bra and pants can be made using cotton jersey from an old t-shirt you don't wear any more, but like the colour and feel of. For the other garments most online fabric shops are still processing orders so you can have everything you need delivered to your door.' Higginson told ELLE UK of sewing patterns.
'I think when our brains are going into overdrive, one of the best remedies is to give our hands a creative task. Sewing played a huge part in helping me cure my anxiety and depression at a time when I struggled to connect with people.'
Catch up on your reading list with Burley Fisher books
Alongside crafting, social distancing also provides the perfect opportunity to pursue your reading list. But, if giving more money to Jeff Bezos isn't on your 'to do' list, then looking for a local bookshop to patronise is the way to go.
Hackney book shop Burley Fisher Books has decided to close their brick and mortar shop, and are instead starting a new delivery and book recommendation service.
'If you would like to order tell us the last book you read and enjoyed by replying here, DMing us or emailing us and we'll reply with a recommendation and payment link,' and Instagram post from Burley Fisher Books wrote.
Support artists like Pickled Pom Pom
If you are someone who values creativity, then it may be worth giving some of your hard-earned cash to some artistic creators in this trying time.
Be it in the form of hand-made card or a pretty print, it could brighten up those walls you're set to become far too familiar with if you quarantine, or make another socially-distant friend or family member's day as a gift.
Founder of small design business Picked Pom Pom Laura Dempsey fears some of her freelance contracts with companies may be cancelled in the coming months, but fortunately also has an Etsy store where you can buy her adorable cards and prints.
'People can help by liking, commenting, sharing and following on Instagram.' Dempsey told ELLE UK.
'And maybe, when this blows over, if everyone was to consciously make an effort to support the little guy (be it the small corner shop, the local butcher, or the small business selling prints and cards) then we can all recover as quickly as possible.'
Invest in sustianable fashion with Laura Von Behr
With high-street giants like H&M closing down shops across Europe, we should take a moment to think about the smaller shops and brands trying to survive the pandemic.
Though the temptation for quick-fix shopping can be heightened in times of stress, try and maintain (or begin) mindful and sustainable shopping through this taxing time.
London-based Laura Von Behr's vintage studio, which operates on an appointment basis, is one such place where you can slow down from the fast shopping experience.
'I am now starting to get cancellations, particularly from customers travelling from outside the UK and expect to close the studio this week.' Von Behr told us.
'If you have money, you can book a future appointment, or buy a gift voucher. If you don’t have money, you can follow me on Instagram to see what I am up to.'
Order wholesome food from Artisan Bakery
With shelves routinely being cleared due to panic-buying in chain supermarkets, look to independent food and drink suppliers who deliver at home to keep your kitchen well-stocked, while simultaneously keeping those small businesses booming through the outbreak.
'Like every small business, the coronavirus has hit our business and our customers hard.' Andy Murray of Artisan Bakery, who supply baked good to the likes of Milk & More, Amazon Fresh, Wholefoods Market and The Co-op, told ELLE UK.
'People can help support us and our customers by buying our products, helping keep these businesses going through this incredibly difficult time. ' would also add, when you get your loaf delivered, or buy your fresh loaf, why not get an extra one or two and offer it to an elderly or sick neighbour?'
Shop at female-founded businesses like Kai Collective
The British government reports male entrepreneurs outnumber female entrepreneurs two to one. Not only this, but: 'Female-led businesses are only 44% of the size of male-led businesses... and male SMEs are five times more likely to scale up to £1million turnover than female.'
If these facts don't sit pretty with you, then put your money where you mouth is and seek out female-founded and led business to support during the pandemic.
'Kai is a team of women (five out of six of the team including freelancers are women). We try our best to hire women for everything and only hire a man if all else fails. (Not sure whether this is PC but it’s something I feel is important).' Kai Collective's founder Fisayo Longe told ELLE UK.
'We also make sure that our manufacturing partners are either women-owned or there’s a very high percentage of female staff. Kai is a great brand for women to support because of how it makes women feel. The intention is to create clothes that makes women feel their most confident.'
'If people have the money, they can shop for when they're eventually able to go out and if not, they can follow the brand and engage with us on social media by sharing our posts and helping new eyes discover us.'
Organise a staycation with Deal Holiday Lets
Though international travel is pretty much off the cards, the government is yet to advise completely against local stays, so organising a staycation with a small letting agency or through AirBnB might be a good way to recharge yourself, whilst keeping the tourism economy chugging on.
'We have started to see cancellations in bookings due to the coronavirus.' Ashley at Deal Holiday Lets told ELLE UK
'It would help us if people booked a staycation in Deal rather than going abroad.'
Treat yourself to restaurant food at home with DabbaDrop
If you're lucky enough to have your usual income throughout the outbreak, then why not spend the money you would have spent on lovely evenings out by treating yourself to nights in?
Whether you want to contact your local Pizza place or find an independent Chinese restaurant on Deliveroo (which is providing a 'no contact drop off service'), finding a restaurant you love and helping to keep them afloat will feed for tummy and soul.
DabbaDrop is one at-home delivery service that doesn't compromise on sustainability, since it's delicious Indian food is both plant-based and uses reusable tiffin tins for delivery.
Keep it social by sending meals to family, friends, or even a neighbour in need, sharing is caring after all.
Appreciate rural trades and traditions with Our Isles
A potential silver lining to this outbreak might be heightened appreciation of those who make our food and tend to our land.
Angus D. Birditt and Lilly Hedley, author and illustrator of Our Isles poetry book and founders of The Bridge Lodge seasonal food company in Wales, told ELLE UK that they have encountered some hurdles in the release of their book and the cancellation of their forage-focussed supper clubs during the outbreak.
By buying their poetry book, or buying their award-winning produce, you're supporting young entrepreneurs and celebrating British rural trades.
'You can support our new poetry book and food company - and any similar self-employed person, craftsperson, producer for that matter - by supporting and buying from your local, independent retailers.
'So please, when and where it is possible and safe to do so, support and visit your local, independent businesses. This in turn will help the small companies supplying them in these difficult times now and in the uncertain weeks ahead.'
Maintain your fitness with Luke Worthington
With some evidence suggesting gyms are 'high prevalence areas' for the spread of Covid-19, personal trainers are set to take a big hit as the virus prevails.
Though, staying away from exercise isn't a good idea either, as regular exercise will boost your immune system (as well as keep your mood lifted and so much more).
So, paying your personal trainer (even at a reduced rate) for an at-home or outside training programme is a great way to look after your physical and mental wellbeing, as well as their bottom line.
Personal Trainer and Trainer Educator Luke Worthington has had to step back from his educational workshops, cancel personal training sessions (particularly those which were prepping for marathons that are no longer happening), and fears the West End shows he helps performers prepare for will be called off too.
For £17.99 you can support Worthington by buying his 12 week training programme alongside the free advice on his website.
'There is of course an abundance of training information on social media - however - I would advise people to tread carefully with this and ensure that they’re getting information from people who do actually train people for a living.' Worthington told ELLE UK.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
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