Having ownership in two small businesses during the coronavirus crisis has given me perspective. Both businesses have their challenges but black swan events like covid19 favor some small businesses over others. The economic damage inflicted by government-imposed lockdowns is unequal. The tension building on when and how to open the economy has different degrees of severity dependent on the type of business. Any business that relies on close contact with consumers will face higher barriers to survival during and after the crisis. Ownership in Stripe Nine Brewing and Appledore Research require a rethink on how to adapt each in a post covid19 era. Both are small – less than ten employees. Stripe Nine is local, blue collar, brick and mortar, low margin, high employee turnover, heavily regulated, and less than six months old. Being less than a year old means the balance sheet is weak and cash on hand is less than 30 days. The other is global, white collar, virtual, high margin, low employee turnover, unregulated, and six years old. The balance sheet is strong with a solid base of blue-chip clients. The arrival of covid19 was a punch in the face moment for Stripe Nine Brewing. It hit […]