Small businesses have suffered drastically in the pandemic but there have been many stories of how determination and innovation have led to unexpected success.
I am proud that one involves my own family.
My niece Wendy, a teacher, wanted to encourage young children to learn French so she set up Club Bonjour - ‘Learn French the Fun’.
For 13 years she held weekly classes in primary and nursery schools in Chepstow and Monmouth but last March coronavirus meant au revoir to Club Bonjour.
But Wendy had another interest.
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| Wendy at work |
With Gerri, her sister-in-law, she started making sweets and chocolate trees at home, selling them at Christmas and craft fairs. They sold like hot cakes so she decided a shop was the answer.
But it has not been the disaster that has ruined so many flourishing small business.
Wendy is busier than ever. ‘My customers have been incredibly loyal and supportive’, she says. So much so that, apart from sweets delivery service she has started click and collect from her shop.
She wonders whether she might have to give up Club Bonjour but the success of her Chateau Bonbon business makes it doubtful for entrepreneur Wendy.
Like millions of people, some of my family work successfully from home. Robert has found keeping in touch with colleagues around the world surprisingly easy, better in some ways than having to commute from Buckinghamshire to Surrey.
Ria, my younger grand daughter, a self employed accountant, and partner Gyles, a musician and composer, are managing to look after their three children while working from home.
My other grand daughter, Siân, who for many years worked at home in the family firm, now commutes to her job with a transport company in Wiltshire.
Coronavirus has not stopped the Taylors, Skinners and Wildeboers from their careers.
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