Miss Ivy's Covid Journey
As was the case for so many Crafters, Market Traders and Event Organisers my career as I knew it came crashing down around me early last March; and with it, it seemed, a large chunk of my life. Twelve months on I’d like to share Miss Ivy’s Covid journey thus far with you.
I’d watched the emerging stories from Wuhan with a passing interest at first. But my interest soon gave way to mounting concern as I picked up on worrying signs that trouble might be coming our way too. I tried in vain to reassure myself that I was being paranoid and it would be fine!
I can remember Miss Ivy’s final event before it all hit and life changed beyond all recognition. It was a vibrant Italian Evening in Tavistock with music, a quiz, fabulous food, and a lovely, happy community atmosphere. Now when I look back on pictures of that evening I feel such emotion, such sadness, and I wonder when we’ll be able to do it all again.
When lockdown was announced on 23rd March 2020, I felt utter disbelief!
I had packed no less than fifty events into what looked like being a busy and successful year for all concerned. The prospect of cancelling every single one was almost overwhelming but I picked myself up, dusted myself off and began cancelling all dates up to May. I didn’t go any further. In my mind, come May everything would be better and we’d all be back to normal!
Oh, how wrong I was!
With a heavy heart I set about the enormous task of cancelling yet more events whilst trying to quell a growing knot of anxiety in the pit of my belly.
With some trepidation I then began contacting traders. Wonderful, talented folk who had shown such loyalty to Miss Ivy Events over the years. But my concerns were unfounded. The support and understanding I received from these small business-owners, whilst obviously scared for the future of their own enterprises brought me to tears. No one demanded a refund. All were happy to carry a credit amount over to later in the year when things returned to normal!
The support that I received from the traders enabled me to keep Miss Ivy Events going. I cut as many costs as I could and explored the options for grants and support. However, because we don’t have physical premises we were one of those that fell through the net. Great!
I hauled on my big-girl-pants
Driven by the need to survive, not just as a business owner but in every sense, I focussed on finding employment - any employment. Success! A mere two days later I was accepted to work on the Covid 111 helpline.
Having been self-employed for 15 years this was a scary move. So, I hauled on my big-girl-pants, starched a confident smile into my face, and off I went!
But I was right, despite my pants and smile it was very scary. After just 30 minutes training we were set loose on the phone lines to face a barrage of shock and panic with each call that came in. It was mind-blowing to hear how scared people were. I vividly remember one day in particular. I handled 172 calls during a 7-hour shift that left me on the one hand emotionally drained, and on the other elated by being able to do something to help! That day I heard it all - from talking to a Baroness, and the likes of you and I worrying at home, to the elderly who often just wanted to chat to someone to alleviate loneliness.
I also met some amazing colleagues along the way and enjoyed the new experience of working daily within a large team of people!
By May, helpline call volumes had subsided only to be replaced by the Track and Trace initiative. I was promoted to the payroll department to help cope with workload generated by some 12,000 new work-at-home colleagues. My journey into employment was busy and varied, and I developed a sense of pride in my ability to adapt and flex with each new task. I now know I was, and still am if truth be told, in survival mode.
Then at last, the tide turned
With the arrival of September, the tide appeared to be turning and I was able to host a few local markets. The news that normal trading could resume was both exciting and stressful. The ‘new normal’ brought with it a whole raft of challenges and considerations: how to maintain social distancing, how to keep my traders and customers safe and how to run a secure event.
Despite years of experience to draw from, I can remember being a bag of nerves as I faced the morning of the very first event. But I was also so very happy to be back in a place that I love, supporting local businesses again.
Sadly, we only managed a total of four events before lockdown hit once again.
A New Year, old challenges
And so here we are, a new year with many, if not more of the same old challenges. Undaunted and with all the positivity we can muster, we’ve set about updating the Miss Ivy Events website. I went on a hunt for some old pictures to use. Looking back on the memories I created made me feel so emotional, so happy to see many smiling faces, yet sad because no-one knows when we’ll be able to do it all again.
A New Year, new resolve
I deliberately tried to avoid putting myself under pressure during 2020. Whilst I might have been able to work on lots of different things in the business, I chose not to. I chose to take a step back and whilst I’m glad I did, it was an ongoing challenge to accept that was okay to do so.
I’ve been planning and organising events for some 12 years now. Whilst it’s a great passion it can also be quite stressful particularly when, like me, you’re a perfectionist who demands a great deal of yourself. Nonetheless, I’m ready to get back in the saddle and am planning to host some exciting events online, and with luck, our Love Local Markets when we can.
It’s been a wild 12 months for sure!
I’ve learned to take one day at a time, cast aside what I cannot control or change, and move with the winds of change to reframe my thoughts, adapt my plans and diversify where I can.
I also want to ask each and every one of you to actively support your local businesses, we want every one of them to survive so that they are here for us when we return to normality.
To that end, don’t forget to check back here on our website and social media channels because we will be advertising dates of some new online events soon. We’ll replicate our much-loved live event format as best we can using an amazing, interactive platform where you’ll be able to visit our much loved local traders, see their wares and even participate in some online workshops and talks.
Finally, it goes without saying that I miss all my customers and exhibitors, and I can’t wait for the day we are back in full force!
Meanwhile stay safe..
Miss Ivy
Having known you for several years and working on projects together I have first hand knowledge of how adaptable, perceptive and incredibly positive you are.
I, for one, am not surprised you have found your way thorough one of the toughest years anyone of us has ever lived through. I also know your business, with you at the helm, will continue to grow and flourish in the future.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey with us all 🙏🏻
Thanks for the lovely comment Helen and right back at you – you have done so well with your new online shop. Guess we are all survivors at heart! Cannot wait to visit the shop again and have a ‘catch up’ coffee..
Loved reading this, Jo! Well done indeed. We’ve had to adapt to rapid changes – some very testing times (trying to take work phone calls in the same room as an attention-hungry parrot has been interesting!), and some surprising “silver linings” too, but it all serves to help us grow.
I’ve learned a great deal about online selling in the interim, applied new tips and tricks and definitely noticed the difference, but I’m looking forward to getting back out there and engaging with customers soon, I didn’t realise how important the social aspect of fairs was to me, until it was all gone. I miss people!
Stay safe, see you soon x
Ahh thank you Sarah its surprising how you can adapt when you need to! I do hope we can be back in person soon and I am sure we will all appreciate it that little bit more now! Take care and see you soon x
Joanna, Thank you for portraying you plight on this media. I am absolutely sur it will help others. Needless go say much the same happened to me with all my Wine Tasting Events, running my Wine Clubs and generally being available for restaurant consultancies and the like. The channels simply came to a halt. I survived ( to a point) with looking for more writing ( magazines etc) which I are poorly paid and hard to find. Creating videos from my Studio Kitchen featuring the excellent local fish , vegetables and meats. Wine tasting videos also featured and kept my sane! Other opportunities have emerged too which I am acting in as we speak. As you I am trying to ‘hit the ground running’ (again) in May. I have developed Wine Tours in Devon and Cornwall and am gathering names I from interested businesses and people already. The eagerness to survive, find new channels etc had been often drought with other difficulties as potential clients are often in a similar position. But here I am, going forward. I wish you all the very best Joanna and will support you with resends, recommends and maybe taking the odd table myself! You never know? All best wishes to you and others in this similar position. Stephen Barrett
Hi Stephen. Thank you for taking the time to read it and commenting. I feel that we will all come out of this stronger with new vigour and understanding of where we really want to be heading! Already we have made lots of changes like you and have tried to respond to the challenging situation. I hope to see you at an event soon! Jo