As we look at the children’s activity industry the past year, we have seen many different approaches to the pandemic. The most common approach I have seen on social media is frustration and blame. That is a normal human response. We were shut down by order, we are forced to change how we conduct business, we have limitations on capacity, and we are down significant percentages in revenue. It makes us angry and we turn our emotions to blame.

We are an industry that is fragmented with many people who simply started a gym because they love the sport. When we started, we never thought of payroll, taxes, insurance, marketing, and retirement plans. We simply loved our sport and wanted to share it with the kids we love to teach.

The pandemic comes and suddenly, we need to pivot or fail. We spent the months of April and May wondering how to handle this. We vented, we cried, and we got angry. Some of us were forced to make decisions we never dreamed we would face. We send emails to customers asking them to keep paying us, we sit with our staff and tell them to be patient as we lay them off and spend countless hours online reading rules and regulations regarding Covid-19. We entered our info into the Small Business Administration (SBA) website three times before it was accepted, each time hoping this would be the time that our submission worked.

What I have seen within our industry are some amazing people who have banded together to help each other. Facebook can be the devil, but I also saw it become the safe space for our people. We all shared information, listened to those who need it and banded together to be one voice.

This blog post is about how proud I am of this industry. It is also about giving the support to pivot. There are many opportunities ahead. If you have made it this far, you will be fine. You have the fortitude and smarts to push to the next level. The next steps should be planning for 2021 and beyond. Ask yourself what your goals are? Look beyond the obvious goals of pre Covid-19 numbers.

You survived by trimming expenses, working harder, and saving money. Have you considered expansion? Maybe there are opportunities to refinance debt or re-negotiate leases.   Can you offer new programming? Have you looked at employee job descriptions to consolidate duties? There are many ways to get creative and strategic about maintaining your offerings, while retaining revenue.

The bottom line is, we need to keep a positive approach. Reach out to a mentor, get a pep talk and push forward. My least favorite phrase during covid was “We are all in this together”. That was based on the people that say it while working from home and not losing any revenue. Where I do love that phrase is with this group of amazing people. We truly are! Please check out the link to an article and book that helped me over the last 10 months:

• Taking an Agile Approach to Transforming Business Processes
• What is a flow state and what are its benefits?
• BOOK: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

I personally have added two more locations and am about to add two more. I went through the same loss of revenue, the same restrictions, and the same stress. The materials above and some great mentors helped me learn to pivot. As the episode of friends said… “PIVOT”. Whether a couch up a stair or your business you need to adapt and pivot.

Take the next year to set lofty goals. Expect the best of yourself, your business, and your customers. Don’t blame and complain. Reach back and find the passion that began this journey. Turn every situation and turn it into an opportunity. Make decisions that will help define you as positive, first class and someone that is a player. You can do it. Make 2021 the greatest year in our industry!

Bryon Hough

President/CEO

www.camincorporated.com