As many of my clients have come to know, every year in late November, I celebrate my business anniversary. When I started out in 1980, it was a peculiar start. I did not have four walls and had trouble with a fire marshal. I opened for less than half a day on the 22nd of November then got shut down. I reopened on November 27th for the whole day and was officially ‘open’.
Since then I have tried to celebrate that event every November. Fast forward and this year marked the 40th year in business. Am I amazed? Absolutely! With all the events over the years, many things could have shut me down. There were some very lean years. Now 40 years later and 2020 has been a ‘touch’ different than previous years.
I have always celebrated a customer appreciation day or two in November and set up tables with food and drinks. This year that could not happen due to the covid-19 virus. Typically, I spend anywhere from $500 to $700 on food for a few nights. This year, because that didn’t happen, I guess I saved some money.
The problem is that it isn’t about saving money when I have to comply with covid restrictions for my anniversary party. It makes me sad that I could not offer something to nibble on when people came to the store. I think I get that from my Father. He always made sure anyone visiting his home was fed something, whether they were hungry or not. And my sons will say I am the same, and that I get mad if someone visits my home and isn’t offered a drink or nibble almost before they have taken their coats off.
So…what to do with the cash I saved. I thought the best use of that extra cash was to put it to something worthy and necessary. After some thought, actually not much, I decided to donate that money to the Calgary Food Bank. I am going to make out and deliver a cheque for $1000 to them. There are a lot of people in real need right now and I know every little bit helps.
I wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy holiday season.
David