April 16, 2020, Vol. 10, Issue 14
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Feeling the Vibe: Applying for Unemployment, a Small Business Spotlight, and a Conversation About the Restaurant Industry
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Patience and Persistence Are Key When Applying for Unemployment Insurance
by Ann Angermeier, CEO, Upstate Workforce Board
To say there has been a plethora of calls coming into the SC Works and Workforce Board offices in this region would be the understatement of the year. Of course, nobody could have anticipated such a drain on our economy and the labor force separation that this pandemic has caused. The unemployment insurance and social security systems were not designed for such volume. The unemployment system connects with the social security system to verify social security numbers.
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Small Business Spotlight: Paige Bowser and Breezy Quarters
with Sharon Purvis
I spoke to Paige Bowser, CEO and Maker-In-Chief at Breezy Quarters, a brick-and-mortar and online store that makes and No-Melt Lip Balm, soap, lotion, bath, candles, scent and skincare products from natural, sustainable, mostly plant-based ingredients (goats milk and beeswax being the chief non-plant ingredients). A former teacher, Paige started selling her product line at the local farmers market and grew her business into a shining star of Abbeville’s growing small business community. Currently, it’s her soap—and her newest product offering, hand sanitizer (sourced elsewhere)—that makes her an essential business, but just because she has a product everybody needs doesn’t mean this time isn’t challenging for her as a small business owner
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A Conversation with Rebekah Cribb on COVID-19's Impact on the Restaurant Industry
with Sharon Purvis
Rebekah Cribb is the Marketing and Event Coordinator for Cribbs Catering, which she owns with her husband William Cribb—who is connected to several establishments that make up a significant part of the restaurant scene in Spartanburg. He is the chef/owner of Cribbs Kitchen on Main and part of Hub City Hospitality, which includes the very popular Willy Taco, the new hot chicken restaurant Flock Shop (with two locations in Greenville and Spartanburg), and the Fr8yard. The couple are also part owners of The Kennedy. With her connection to that group, Rebekah was a good person to talk to about the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry.
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Join us this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for our
TATT Chat!
Each Thursday afternoon through the end of May, TATT board members and partners, business and community leaders, and representatives from each county will give updates so we can stay connected even when we can't meet in person.
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#UpstateVibe365 Instagram Photo of the Week!
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Thanks to @gvlsmiles for sharing this one: "The Boss has finally given in and joined in office crafts! What is everyone else doing to keep their mind busy during this time?"
Are you doing something creative during your social distancing? Take a photo and use #upstatevibe365, and we may feature your photo as our photo of the week.
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Who Is Helping...and How You Can
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Get Help
(across the state)
(CommunityWorks)
(in Greenville)
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Give Help
(Greer Memorial and Patewood locations)
(statewide)
(drop-off locations in link)
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Families and Education
(daily on Spartanburg Little Theater Facebook Live)
(grades K-12)
(middle grades)
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More COVID-19 Information...
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Ten at the Top has created a web repository of links to key information on COVID-19.
With schools, organizations, businesses and many others canceling events and altering schedules due to the COVID-19 virus, having access to reliable and timely information as well as details about available resources is critical.
Click here
to find out more.
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Do you know of things people are currently doing to help their communities during this challenging time? We want to focus on acts of kindness, large and small, by individuals and organizations over the next few weeks.
Please email
Sharon Purvis
with your stories and links, as well as with any updated information that should be included on our resources page.
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Shout out to all of you who are making the transition to working from home—some with kids, some who have never done anything but work in an office. It's a different world, isn't it, with co-workers removed and all of your meetings online? I'm sure we'll all have a new appreciation for our workplaces once this is over, but for now...try to find an alternative to the water cooler for connecting with each other. And treat yourself to dinner in!
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Restaurants are particularly hard hit during this time of social distancing, but there are things you can do to help.
Most are still offering takeout or delivery, and after a few days of working at home with your spouse and kids who are out of school, why not treat yourself to a pizza or other food from your favorite local restaurant?
Or you can purchase gift cards now to be used later, when they're back open.
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Ten at the Top's signature young professional event, with relevant panel sessions, the ever-popular executive roundtables, and keynote speaker Sallie Holder.
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Use the Upstate Resource Maps to Explore the Upstate
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