What a year………………
In January and February, we started hearing about the corona virus. On March 11th, I attended a business meeting where we briefly talked about Covid-19 while still shaking hands, hugging, and seeing each other’s faces. By March 13th, we were creating best practices at Ridgewood Moving by implementing some health and safety guidelines (did not include face masks). Under quarantine orders (now wearing face masks). My daughter Sam left Brooklyn to stay with me and my sister. I headed to the liquor store=)
What does “essential business” mean? A term that was never used to describe my business is now a household name. The moving industry was deemed essential, which was a scary positive. We were thankful to be able to operate, but anxious at the same time. For after all, we are an in-person industry that goes into people’s homes and businesses. As the owner, I was reading, listening, talking to colleagues, and attending as many informative zoom meetings as I could find. With so much information overload, it was important to filter through what was important. The CAREs Act was a lifeline for many businesses. It gave us some breathing room to figure out next steps and help us navigate these uncharted waters.
In April and May, Ridgewood Moving took the necessary steps to become a remote environment. Almost overnight we began to perform virtual survey’s through whatever platform our customers felt comfortable with. Some of our team members were able to work from home, while our Operations Manager and myself came into the office. Our Super Star Front line Movers were a team extraordinary gentlemen. We were not extremely busy, but we were steady and assisted our community at this time with manpower, supplies and equipment to our beloved seniors and health care workers. It felt good to help where we could.
June is traditionally the beginning of our “season”. Makes sense, when the kids get out of school, we can move to our new home. Well, those were blurred lines this year. The schools closed in early April and never returned to the classroom. Virtual learning began and continued so the June tradition did not happen. The Industry had no idea what to expect, however we started seeing the housing market light up. People were pushing up plans and taking advantage of a hot sellers’ market. Folks were flocking out of NYC and densely populated neighborhoods.
The season took off in July and has been extremely busy ever since. I heard someone describe the movement throughout the country as a “snowball moving down the mountain”. The southwest region as well as the eastern region are the big outbound areas. Our partner, van line Wheaton/Bekins predicts that this momentum will continue through 2022. The vaccine will build confidence and people can work from anywhere now. Plans that might have been made 5 years from now are being pushed up. Consumers are taking advantage of the hot market and businesses have made a virtual workforce a reality.
As December and 2020……… draws to a close, I look back at this year and it has flown by at warp speed. The holiday season is upon us and many will not be with their entire families. It is a sacrifice my family (and many others) must make to keep us safe. My daughters are both in California and will zoom us for Christmas. Everything about 2020 has been unique and challenging, in so many ways. I am, however, grateful that my family, friends, and team at Ridgewood Moving are safe and well. Stay the course!!
Now we head into January 2021 with some hope that our lives will resume some back to normal. Looks summer/fall of 2021. With the vaccine out and already being provided to our front-line health care community and seniors…I will wait in line until its my turn.