Lately, we’ve been focusing on small businesses that have figured out how to navigate these unprecedented times. We talked to Elizabeth at Sift+Pour Bakery who created a social distancing survival kit to help bring in a new stream of revenue and Frank and Peggy Tavarez, who completely pivoted the Wine and Liquor Mart to a virtual sales space to make sure they were following social distancing guidelines.
Courtesy: Killroy Pest Control
This week, we look at essential business Killroy Pest Control, which has served Silicon Valley for more than six decades. Lynn Olavarri-Schmidt and Richard Schmidt have seen almost every economic twist and turn imaginable while running Killroy Pest Control in Campbell, CA. So they knew what to do when business in California stopped because of the stay at home order.
Even as an essential business that deals with pests such as roach, spider, and rodent control, Killroy found itself with no revenue coming in. Lynn and Richard sent everyone home and began formulating a game plan for the coming weeks. They contacted customers to make sure the demand was still there. They adjusted the office to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Employees now take trucks home and go directly to customers instead of meeting in a centralized location. Administrative staff have laptops and home offices to do their work. They now email bills to customers instead of sending them via mail or delivering them in person.
Four weeks later and the essential business is running at about 75% to 80%. Lynn and Richard are already looking at new potential business avenues so Killroy can be #buildbackbetter when the order is lifted. They say the changes have worked, but they’re hoping to be back to the old ways soon. Social distancing has forced them to cut one of the most important aspects of their business, the camaraderie.
Great job Lynn, Richard, and the entire Killroy family!