5 Real Stories About Adapting to Do Business Online

Facebook Business

April 30, 2020

As each week passes, we continue to see the inspiring ways businesses engage and serve their communities, despite coronavirus (COVID-19) challenges. We also know that some business owners are still figuring out how to develop an online presence during this time, so we’re sharing a few stories to help you get inspired.

The owners of Tribe SF, a gym in San Francisco, CA, needed a solution to stay in business once the city's shelter-in-place order closed nonessential businesses to the public. They began to offer their services virtually, bringing classes and personal training sessions online. To keep members engaged and motivated, they also created a Facebook group for workout enthusiasts and tagged gym members in exercise challenges.

"The inspiration to use Instagram and Facebook came from having our backs against the wall," Tribe SF co-owner Billy Palladino-King says. "We needed to come together and figure a way to stay in business―not only for the business, but for those who are part of the Tribe SF family.”

In response, members put their own twist on the workout challenges, using wine bottles, succulents or bags of rice as substitutes for the weights they’d normally use at the gym.

When COVID-19 required New York-based musician Ludovica Burtone to stop teaching and performing in public, Ludovica hosted online concerts from home, calling them “The Couch Concert Series.” Inspiration came from talking with her family in Italy, when she heard of neighbors in lockdown singing together from their windows. Ludovica realized that if she found a new way to share her own music, she could provide her community with a moment of beauty.

“During this crisis it’s clear that the arts are important. But still, artists are such a vulnerable part of society because we rely so much on the community,” Ludovica says. “My presence online helped me keep some of my students, and I am hoping it will bring more remote work, from teaching to other music productions to new collaborations.”

Ludovica now offers some of her services online, like classes, original compositions or arrangements, and remote recordings. Her clients can learn when she’s available by following her on Facebook.

Manic Mermaid of Tacoma, WA is a part art gallery, part unique gift shop that had to close its storefront due to COVID-19. The shop routinely hosted a live show on Instagram where viewers could shop virtually, so they started doing two shows per day.

“This success with our Live show has given us financial breathing room, plus it allows us to continue with our main focus of why we opened the business in the first place―to take care of others,” co-owner Janelle Elms says.

The additional money they’ve earned has allowed them to support other small businesses by sourcing and buying more inventory to sell in their shop.

This sixth-generation, family-owned distillery in Rochelle, IL joined the fight against COVID-19 by producing hand sanitizer instead of bourbon and donating hundreds of gallons to local healthcare, fire, police and EMS facilities.

“Switching over to producing hand sanitizer was our creative way of providing a very important product and service in our local community, while also staying in business until the Illinois governor opens tasting rooms back up in the future,” Marketing and Logistics coordinator Aubrey Quinn says.

They also made their hand sanitizer available to the community and got the word out on Facebook. Their efforts mean Kennay Farms, the largest craft distillery in the state, can serve its community during a time of crisis, keep paying employees and stay in business.

In response to COVID-19 school closures, the team at culinary club Raddish Kids wanted to bring families together around food and provide a hands-on learning experience for kids during a challenging time. They gave away 50,000 cooking kits to accompany a series of cook-along classes on Facebook Live. They even provided a free recipe in advance, so that families could cook and ask questions in real time.

“We get great comments and feedback,” Co-founder and CMO Seth Barnes says. “People ask questions and current group members post photos of their kiddos in the kitchen! It's like a real-time Q&A session.”

We’re looking for more COVID-19-related business stories to feature on our Facebook for Business website, marketing campaigns and events. Apply now to share your story.

We’ll keep sharing inspiration, tips, announcements and more on Facebook for Business News. We’ll also continue to explore how we can support businesses through this challenging time. Learn about our Small Business Grants program and access our Business Resource Hub to see additional opportunities we’re offering and steps we’re recommending. Get the latest updates on how Facebook is responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

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April 30, 2020

5 Real Stories About Adapting to Do Business Online

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s each week passes, we continue to see the inspiring ways businesses engage and serve their communities, despite coronavirus (COVID-19) challenges. We also know that some business owners are still figuring out how to develop an online presence during this time, so we’re sharing a few stories to help you get inspired.

1

San Francisco Gym Hosts Virtual Classes and Online Fitness Challenges

The owners of Tribe SF, a gym in San Francisco, CA, needed a solution to stay in business once the city's shelter-in-place order closed nonessential businesses to the public. They began to offer their services virtually, bringing classes and personal training sessions online. To keep members engaged and motivated, they also created a Facebook group for workout enthusiasts and tagged gym members in exercise challenges.

"The inspiration to use Instagram and Facebook came from having our backs against the wall," Tribe SF co-owner Billy Palladino-King says. "We needed to come together and figure a way to stay in business―not only for the business, but for those who are part of the Tribe SF family.”

In response, members put their own twist on the workout challenges, using wine bottles, succulents or bags of rice as substitutes for the weights they’d normally use at the gym.

2

A Musician Gives Concerts Right From Her Couch

When COVID-19 required New York-based musician Ludovica Burtone to stop teaching and performing in public, Ludovica hosted online concerts from home, calling them “The Couch Concert Series.” Inspiration came from talking with her family in Italy, when she heard of neighbors in lockdown singing together from their windows. Ludovica realized that if she found a new way to share her own music, she could provide her community with a moment of beauty.

“During this crisis it’s clear that the arts are important. But still, artists are such a vulnerable part of society because we rely so much on the community,” Ludovica says. “My presence online helped me keep some of my students, and I am hoping it will bring more remote work, from teaching to other music productions to new collaborations.”

Ludovica now offers some of her services online, like classes, original compositions or arrangements, and remote recordings. Her clients can learn when she’s available by following her on Facebook.

3

A Small “Treasure Shop” Hosts Live Shows That Let Locals Shop Virtually

Manic Mermaid of Tacoma, WA is a part art gallery, part unique gift shop that had to close its storefront due to COVID-19. The shop routinely hosted a live show on Instagram where viewers could shop virtually, so they started doing two shows per day.

“This success with our Live show has given us financial breathing room, plus it allows us to continue with our main focus of why we opened the business in the first place―to take care of others,” co-owner Janelle Elms says.

The additional money they’ve earned has allowed them to support other small businesses by sourcing and buying more inventory to sell in their shop.

4

Kennay Farms Distilling Spreads the Word About Hand Sanitizer Production

This sixth-generation, family-owned distillery in Rochelle, IL joined the fight against COVID-19 by producing hand sanitizer instead of bourbon and donating hundreds of gallons to local healthcare, fire, police and EMS facilities.

“Switching over to producing hand sanitizer was our creative way of providing a very important product and service in our local community, while also staying in business until the Illinois governor opens tasting rooms back up in the future,” Marketing and Logistics coordinator Aubrey Quinn says.

They also made their hand sanitizer available to the community and got the word out on Facebook. Their efforts mean Kennay Farms, the largest craft distillery in the state, can serve its community during a time of crisis, keep paying employees and stay in business.

5

Kids’ Cooking Club Hosts Live Cook-Along Classes

In response to COVID-19 school closures, the team at culinary club Raddish Kids wanted to bring families together around food and provide a hands-on learning experience for kids during a challenging time. They gave away 50,000 cooking kits to accompany a series of cook-along classes on Facebook Live. They even provided a free recipe in advance, so that families could cook and ask questions in real time.

“We get great comments and feedback,” Co-founder and CMO Seth Barnes says. “People ask questions and current group members post photos of their kiddos in the kitchen! It's like a real-time Q&A session.”

We’re looking for more COVID-19-related business stories to feature on our Facebook for Business website, marketing campaigns and events. Apply now to share your story.

We’ll keep sharing inspiration, tips, announcements and more on Facebook for Business News. We’ll also continue to explore how we can support businesses through this challenging time. Learn about our Small Business Grants program and access our Business Resource Hub to see additional opportunities we’re offering and steps we’re recommending. Get the latest updates on how Facebook is responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

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