Open for Business

We're all in this together S mall businesses are the lifeblood of Amer- ica and a critical driver of Marin County's economy. Did you know 87% of all Marin businesses are classified as "small" with 19 or fewer employees? That is why it has been devastating to see so many independent small businesses close temporarily — or shutter permanently — as the threat of COVID-19 looms. The emotional, financial and leadership wherewithal of almost every business has been tested, as credit gets stretched and hard decisions are made about staffing and operations. Marin County is fortunate to have nearly 20 chambers of commerce and business associations answering questions of its anxious members and hosting Zoom calls about best practices and how to locate specific urgent needs — PPE, govern- ment loans, new ways to market to customers who no longer are coming to storefronts. Perhaps most impressively, chambers and local governments have set up relief funds to help small businesses to perhaps cover their payroll or operating expenses while their income lags. These groups' generosity has been outstanding but not surprising in a tight- knit community like Marin. We produced this first-time Open for Business special section because we believe allowing merchants to communicate what they are offering and how they are pivoting in these trying times has never been more important. We offered advertis- ing space at rates that would ensure any business could participate. Please shop our advertisers and understand that their offers may change if the county or state revise safety guidelines. We are appreciative of the business leaders and government representatives who assisted in writing stories or supplying graphics to allow this special section to be produced. We selected five busi- ness organization leaders who represent Marin in pockets from north to south to share their work and outlooks, but please know chambers in every city and town in Marin are actively working to help the anxious merchants in their communities. Besides supporting businesses, we are firm believers that kindness and empathy matter as much as anything right now, and we will all need to collaborate more, even when physically apart, to be successful. A lot of businesses have frozen their advertis- ing even as they have reopened. As Henry Ford said, "Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time." Now more than ever businesses need to communicate what their safety plans are to customers along with new hours, special menus and changes to their business models. The IJ team is here to provide marketing and advertising advice to help businesses get back on their feet quicker. We care deeply about Marin County's businesses and want them to be able to pull out of this pandemic as quickly as possible. Please shop locally. n Lori Pearce is advertising manager and Rob Devincenzi is president and publisher of the Marin Independent Journal. Resilient Marin businesses need your support By Lori Pearce and Rob Devincenzi Come visit us at Victoria Bakery to celebrate the big, the small and the everyday. Any day. Celebration Cakes, Pastries & Premium Coffee 292 Bon Air Center Greenbrae, CA 94904 victoriabakerymarin.com 415.461.3099 A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com Open For Business July 19, 2020 3

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