COVID19 Small Business Journal: Week 4 Update

COVID19 Small Business Journal: Week 4 Update

There was some debate back here in the warehouse about whether this we were in Week 4 or 5. I did a Week 3 update 10 days ago, and it sort of seems like we’re in the midst of Week 5, but it could also be a recap of Week 4...?

April 15, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID19 Small Business Journal: Other Chores

COVID19 Small Business Journal: Other Chores

After 16 straight days in the shop from our last break, the kids were within an inch of setting the building, and possibly each other, on fire, so Jon went in to the main shop by himself and the kids and I stayed home, with a few things on our list to get done, 85% of which did not get done over the course of the day.

April 09, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID19 Small Business Journal: Empty Streets

COVID19 Small Business Journal: Empty Streets

I took this photo on the drive in to work one day. What a bizarre, gutting feeling to see one of the busiest streets in the city, Spadina, looking down to Chinatown, empty, in broad daylight.

April 07, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID19 Small Business Journal: Week 3

COVID19 Small Business Journal: Week 3

Here’s a photo of the Main Shop, looking bright and sunny, if empty. It’s significantly less depressing than the Studio Shop, although that might mostly be because we’re at the Main Shop every day and only see the Studio Shop at night when we’re raiding it for inventory.
April 04, 2020 — wonderpens
Homeschooling Diaries: Missing Pencils

Homeschooling Diaries: Missing Pencils

In my new position as a homeschooling teacher, I’m now discovering that my child is a student who loses pencils.

April 01, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID-19 Small Business Journal: When Things Break

COVID-19 Small Business Journal: When Things Break

For one of our first Christmases we had as a staff, Jon and I got everyone matching name cups. Shortly after that, Brendan joined our team, and he was the only one without his own cup. He wasn’t terribly bothered by this, but then one day at Value Village I found this beautiful almost Brendan mug, and for a short while (until we hired our next person) our cup situation was at peace. Basically everyone but Brendan used the mug, but the point was everyone had a mug.

March 29, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID-19 Small Business Journal: Silver Linings

COVID-19 Small Business Journal: Silver Linings

A small silver lining to the shops being closed: our non-shop dog Super now comes with us to the main shop. He trots around sniffing the plants, trying to find a sunny spot.

March 26, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID-19 Small Business Journal: Shop Kid Life

COVID-19 Small Business Journal: Shop Kid Life

Today is Sunday, and after seven straight days at the main shop, the kids and I stayed home, above the studio shop, while Jon went to the main shop to help pull and ship orders and get things organized, send emails.

March 22, 2020 — wonderpens
COVID-19 Small Business Journal - The Online Only Life

COVID-19 Small Business Journal - The Online Only Life

It’s only been a few days since the brick and mortars closed, but it feels like ages. Literally—it’s only been three days since we’ve closed the shops. It’s so surreal to think about how literally just a week ago things seemed pretty normal, and were only just starting to unravel.

March 19, 2020 — wonderpens
On COVID-19 for Small Businesses

On COVID-19 for Small Businesses

As of Tuesday, March 17th (which is today) we have closed our brick and mortar shops, which is sort of wild to think about. I’ve been trying not to think about it too much while also thinking about it basically all the time. Frying an egg? Thinking about blog posts. In the shower? Thinking about shipping things. Laying awake in bed at 2 in the morning? Thinking about our staff work schedule and shifts floating around in the air.
March 17, 2020 — wonderpens