IT’S NO LONGER BUSINESS AS USUAL

So many things have changed in the last few weeks….months.  Everything was chugging along, business as usual, and then BAM!  Business has changed.  Life has changed.  Everything has changed.  We have a new normal.  For now.  What will normal look like months from now?

COVID-19.

The whole world is being traumatized.

Carianne has a rare kidney disease – MPGN C4D, plus she’s on immunosuppressants.

Shane has an autoimmune disorder– he’s on immunosuppressants.

Cassy lives in NYC.

 

NOW WE WEAR MASKS

 

My mom is undergoing chemotherapy.

My dad has heart disease and has had a triple bypass.

My grandfather is 97 years old.

I bought masks for everyone…including Oliver (5) and Ryder (4).

My anxiety was and to some extent is still spinning out of control.  If it weren’t for my psychiatric NP increasing my anti-anxiety medication, I think I’d be a zombie right now.

Only Shane lives nearby, but he refuses to see us because he’s afraid he’s going to expose us.

The same concern and mini-lecture I gave my parents about staying inside and limiting contact with other people…Shane, my oldest child, at the age of 33…gave to Scott and me.

Cassy traveled to San Antonio as soon as she was laid off, which was early because she is in the floral and events business and people were postponing weddings, conferences, and all other get-togethers.  I begged her to get out of the city while she could.  She had the option of coming to Oregon to stay with us or go to San Antonio with Carianne, Corbin, and the boys.  She chose San Antonio – it’s more fun to spend months with your nephews than it is to be cooped up with your parents.  That was ok by me.  I just needed her out of there.

 

THE TOILET PAPER WARS

 

Our cupboards were nearly bare as we headed for the grocery store, and for the first time in my life I wish I had paid attention and shown an interest when Scott’s mom and grandma tried to teach me to can fruits and vegetables.  I have however, vowed to clean out the garage and keep a stockpile of shelf stable foods and other commodities like toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and medicine, for the next time because I do believe there will be a next time – maybe not due to COVID-19, but there will be a reason to be prepared for an emergency like the one we’re dealing with now.  Seriously, can we talk about the toilet paper wars?

 

You’d think after going through mild earthquakes in California, Guam, Pennsylvania, and Oregon; hurricanes and tornadoes in Florida; typhoons in Guam; Three Mile Island as a pre-teen; and massive snowstorms in Pennsylvania…that I’d have had the wherewithal to be more prepared a very long time ago, but truth be told I was still very naïve.  And, very unprepared.

Stores aren’t open.  Stores have gone out of business – permanently closed.  I see it around town.  Blue tape on the floor in the grocery store so we keep our distance from each other.  Employees with clickers outside the store counting how many people are inside at a time and limiting those numbers.  Stores that won’t let you inside, but they take your order at the door and go in, get what you want, and bring it to you.  Stores that rely on consumers to browse and buy more than what they came in for, can no longer rely on us to do so.

People are turning to online stores and they can’t keep up with demand either.

 

 

And, then there are people collecting unemployment, including Cassy.  Luckily, Scott is still working albeit sporadically.  Shane is working part-time, but he’s getting paid full time.  Yay for a company that takes care of its employees!  Carianne is staying home with the boys until the fall, and Corbin is a First Lieutenant in the Army.

Luckily, I still have my job and I’m working hard.  I know a lot of people who are.  But, we the people, in general – need money.  How long did your stimulus check last?

Our communities – our friends and neighbors are starving for personal connections.  Connections they used to get at the gym, the store, the club, the pub, the playground, and school.  They’re looking for new places to connect with people.

I’m able to continue to work and give my community the personal attention and connection that they need and want because I’ve built an online community.  I’ve built a membership – Color Joy.

Color Joy is an online adult coloring book membership, delivering a 30-page coloring book to my members each and every month….along with master classes and tutorials for those who want to learn new coloring skills.  Books can also be purchased a la carte in the shop.  And I run a contest each month that anyone can enter!   No coloring required.

 

And, I’m adding to the membership with the help of Tribe Workshop and course.  A new component that my members are asking for.  I’m working with an art therapist to add Creative Strategic Art Wellness Workshops (Creative START) that will be delivered weekly via Zoom so we can all share with one another.  We’ll be using a different medium each month to work through our feelings and promote healing with mediums like chalk pastels, acrylic paints, crayons, and modeling clay.

So, yes, I’m still busy.  I have lots to do and it’s a good thing because it helps to keep my mind off of the chaos that’s going on in the world.

None of it would be possible though if I didn’t know HOW to create a membership.  HOW to find members.  HOW to retain members.  HOW to find members.  HOW to talk to my members.  HOW to market to my members.  HOW to do ALL THE THINGS!

In this time of chaos, with all the people starving for connection…membership and subscription sites are flourishing.  Think Netflix, Peloton, Disney+, Amazon.

I know people who have successful memberships in niches such as online homeschool curriculum, guitar playing, painting, home paint parties, wreath making, meal prep, photography, yoga, meditation, art for children, crochet, knitting, caramel apple making…Jewish brides!  And, so many more.

And, they learned how to do it by balancing work and life.

Do you have something you’re passionate about?  Good at?  Something in which everyone is always asking you for help?  Turn it into a membership!

I learned, along with so many others, how to create a successful online membership from a funny guy named Stu.  And, Stu only opens his training one time a year.   And, that time is upon us.  If you want more financial freedom, want to be your own boss, and want to learn all the things that are possible, then sign up for this free no obligation workshop. Since 2016, Stu has helped launch over 70,000+ highly-profitable membership and subscription businesses.

 

You don’t need to be tech savvy.  You don’t need to have a huge following.  But I bet you have something to offer.  So, what are you waiting for?  REGISTER NOW!  START THRIVING!  And, have fun while you’re doing it.  Seriously…it’s a blast!

Learn to THRIVE amidst this chaos and don’t let another emergency – personal or national, take you by surprise because statistics show that people are joining memberships by the droves – yes even now because they have time on their hands to learn new skills and want to connect with other people!  Create the perfect business!

So, if you’ve ever even had an inkling about starting your own business then this workshop and subsequent course is for you!

It’s only offered ONE TIME A YEAR!

If you’re still uncertain, watch these minute-long inspirational videos for a sneak peek:

Video #1 – Community

Video #2 – Hustle

Video #3 – Money

Video #4 – The Perfect Business

P.S.  I took the course last year, but I’ll be taking it again this year because it’s THAT good!  I hope to see you there.  Tell Stu, Laura Lee sent you. 🙂