Doing business and spending money in a Covid World

The situation we currently find ourselves in is enough to rock your world.  Whether you are a whole hearted supporter of physical distancing and lockdown measures or a resentful participant, life has changed in ways we could never have imagined.

I get the frustrations, I get the fear, and I get the shear heartbreak of what we have been going through BUT there has never been a more poignant demonstration of the theory "you are only as strong as your weakest link".  To those who look to find loopholes in the rules or those who simply ignore them altogether you make a mockery of the pain and devastation of our fellow Kiwis who risk losing everything.

As we take the first steps towards increased freedom and increased economic activity I have never been more conscious as a consumer and as a business owner of the need to live my truth.  Every dollar I spend I feel a more acute need to ensure it supports a person or a business within our community that will in turn support others. But it's not always easy to know.

Big business might seem cold and all powerful.  Less concerned with the people, chasing only the bottom line.  Sure there are some of those out there but on the most part NZ businesses - even the big ones - are run by Kiwi's who take their need to support their staff seriously and personally.  And if they fail the job losses will have horrendous impact on our economy.

Supporting our local economy is such a complicated process.  Buy NZ made where you can, buy local and off small businesses if it's available, but if we don't make it please buy it from a company in NZ who already sells it.  Try not to spend your money on overseas purchases while we get ourselves up and running.  And continue to support the businesses who have always supported you, the butchers, the bakers, the grocery store owners, and the favourite coffee store.

In times of economic hardship the best thing to do - for those who can - is spend normally. BUT keep it make sure there is a Kiwi impact.

I import some products that are not made here, I only import what I cannot source locally because if it's at all economic I'd rather support another local company rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.  Now more than ever.

I'm not much of a kumbaya person but if there was ever a moment to hold hands around the campfire and help each other this is it.