When Covid-19 ransacked the world at the beginning of 2020, many small businesses had to close their doors. In an effort to save these businesses, Chy Creative hosted a small, Colorado business each monday to encourage the purchase of gift cards. The movement became nationally known as #giftcardmonday and unified communities to “Spend now in order to enjoy later”.
Frenchies Modern Nail Care
As a small business owner, I know how important community is to growing personally and professionally. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I was happy to host Brooke Hansen, owner of Frenchies Modern Nail Care in Fort Collins, CO and Suite C Salon in Windsor, CO. This was all in an effort to encourage gift card sales in lieu of having to temporary close her doors. Shortly after our Zoom call, Brooke did what she does and gave back in a HUGE way! Brooke and her team from Suite C Salon gave “Haircuts for Heroes”. She was featured on 9news for her efforts to give over 175 free haircuts to medical workers from Medical Center of the Rockies. Brooke is an incredible woman entrepreneur with a HUGE heart! Operating two small businesses is NOT for the faint at heart. This woman is tenacious and I am so happy to call her my friend, business partner and client!
Namaste Salon and Spa
Sherri Yager, owner of Namaste Salon and Spa, know how to serve! Her values and mine really aligned when it came to customer service, experience and boutique. Hosting small businesses allowed me to really get to know other owners. In doing this I found a common thread… we were all having to get creative! So many of us had to bring what we loved doing everyday to halt. In this time of pause, Sherri and others worked hard behind the scenes to meet and exceed requirements that would allow her a “slow open”. It was truly inspiring to see how willings small business owners were to do whatever what asked so they could get back to doing what they loved… work.
503W Restaurant + Bar
Emillo is my friend. He has known me since high school and like me, is an artist. It was awesome hearing about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur and how he took his artistic talents into craft cocktails. Together with his brother Raleigh and sister-in-law Nina, 503W got a major facelift and quickly became a hotspot in downtown Colorado Springs. It is no wonder that was the case… this family has talent! Emillio also played a major roll in opening a local USBG (United States Bartenders Guild) chapter in Colorado Springs. And during COVID-19 this organization assisted in making sure the servers of the restaurant businesses in Colorado had the food and supplies they needed in lieu of their normal paychecks. Business owners with big hearts are ones that Chy Creative is happy to partner with and support!
Hurleigh Lane Baby Boutique
Now THIS was fun! Darla Gray, owner of Hurleigh Lane Baby Boutique, was not shy of thinking outside the box. Like so many other business, Darla was heartbroken to have to layoff staff and close up shop during COVID-19. She had only just opened three short months prior and was just making strides as the hotspot in Windsor, CO for baby and children’s clothing. Closing was devastating! I could see where my experience in brand development and my creative mind could help and so I presented Darla with an idea. Together, we could offer a unique, private shopping experience. She was already leaning toward appointment-only shopping, but this was different!
Each customer would be offered a fully catered shopping experience with a photoshoot to top it off!
Mother’s Day happen to be the next holiday and so this idea was a perfect fit! We used my kids and close family friends to create the promotional photos and we launched the idea! Dad’s and grandparents LOVED this idea. At the time, mamas were in need of retail therapy and pampering! This was an idea that turned into a great friendship and I am happy to support business owners like Darla with her passion to offer her customers a boutique experience!
