Two days before the pandemic hit, I entered a new season in life and became a single mom in need of a job - I had to find work...fast. When the pandemic was announced I was a stay-at-home mom. Non-essential businesses were being forced to shut down and I couldn’t even apply at a coffee shop or restaurant. A game plan was in order.

A relative had just gone into a business partnership to purchase a print and sign shop a few weeks before Covid hit. They had employees, rent on a large warehouse, leased equipment, and they were facing bankruptcy, if they didn’t bring in enough revenue. Early on, there was an inquiry from a dental office for a custom plexiglass sneeze shield as they were now becoming mandatory.

I worked until the wee hours into early morning when the kids were asleep and when I had 30 minutes here and there, during the day between homeschooling lessons. I got in touch with my past contacts, followed up with the existing customer base, made lots of cold calls and ended up selling over $87,000 in retail sales. To be honest, I surprised myself! The owners were thrilled as this was the one product that kept their business alive.

Two days before the pandemic hit, I entered a new season in life and became a single mom in need of a job - I had to find work...fast. When the pandemic was announced I was a stay-at-home mom. Non-essential businesses were being forced to shut down and I couldn’t even apply at a coffee shop or restaurant. A game plan was in order.

I had to dig deep and rely on my previous experience as an employment counsellor and job developer. For years I helped countless clients land work, and now I had to follow my own advice. I had to start networking and drumming up options to create my own position, just like I had coached others to do in years past.

A relative had just gone into a business partnership to purchase a print and sign shop a few weeks before Covid hit. They had employees, rent on a large warehouse, leased equipment, and they were facing bankruptcy, if they didn’t bring in enough revenue. Early on, there was an inquiry from a dental office for a custom plexiglass sneeze shield as they were now becoming mandatory.

Businesses were scrambling to get them made and installed ASAP, so I pitched the idea that their shop specialize in producing these shields. I negotiated and convinced the owners  that I would spearhead the sales. Although one partner was reluctant and unaware of my education and background, he agreed to bring me on part-time for base + commission.

I worked until the wee hours into early morning when the kids were asleep and when I had 30 minutes here and there, during the day between homeschooling lessons. I got in touch with my past contacts, followed up with the existing customer base, made lots of cold calls and ended up selling over $87,000 in retail sales. To be honest, I surprised myself! The owners were thrilled as this was the one product that kept their business alive.

The position did not exist and I had to pitch the idea to them. I couldn't rely on advertised positions because very few organizations were hiring, so I leaned on networking and tapping into the hidden job market.