SHIOCTIN, Wis (NBC 26) -- Just about everyone had some unforeseen challenges this past year, but especially small business owners. On Thursday, 365 days into the pandemic, two self-employed women in Shiocton shared how they managed to get through the pandemic so far through the support of their friends, community, and clients.
Back in November, just seven months into the pandemic, Sarah Heineman took a risk by buying Studio 54. The quaint business is a coffee shop and a hair salon, and many of her peers questioned if it was the right move at the right time.
"It's not going to last. What are you going to do? What if we have another shutdown," asked Heineman's friends.
Initially, Sarah says curbside orders were one of the main means to make ends meet. But eventually, she got to let customers back in, and they didn't disappoint.
"I think people want that social interaction. They are ready to come in and say hi, hang out, have a good time."
The foot traffic has been steady in the coffee shop since reopening for in-person business. And on the other end of the shop, many were eager to take a seat and finally take care of their hair again.
"They were sick of seeing their natural highlights coming out and they wanted them covered back up," says Stephanie Henn a hairstylist at Studio 54.
Henn remembers being out of work for nine and a half weeks early on in the pandemic. Her job, despite her customers' praises, wasn't deemed essential by the state.
"Everybody was saying it was a vacation and it definitely was not."
But once she was allowed to open back up, she too was pleasantly surprised by the response she got from customers and her community.
"We were super busy. We came back with a vengeance."
Tough to say, how much longer the pandemic will last. But for small businesses across the state, it's safe to say many couldn't have come close to getting through it without the support of their communities.
"All of our clients were so sweet during it. They reached out to see if we needed help. They were buying gift cards for their upcoming appointments so we could make our ends meet," adds Henn.
"Their support means the world to me," adds Heineman.
