2020 was full of unfortunate twists, turns and perils. I went into the year with a set business plan and aspirations for another rocking year at 7Shadows Market. As soon as it seemed like the year was going to be an exceptional one, everything got turned on its ear. Like everyone else, the Covid situation threw us for a loop. By the time April arrived, our whole state was shutdown for a month. My well crafted business plan was wadded up and thrown in the dumpster. It was all about survival as we plunged into the unknown.
Issues soon arose with various supply chains. I needed to invest even more time into research. Concrete plans and established trends gave way best guesses, wishful thinking, as well as a lot of planning for “just in case” scenarios. All of my established replenishment rates were all out of whack. Inventory was hampered with international shutdowns and the ensuing transportation dilemmas regarding imports/exports as well as domestic freight.
All the usual risks of entrepreneurship were overshadowed by the new fears brought about by the pandemic.
I had to re-evaluate a lot of ways I had been conducting business. I needed to go leaner than I wanted to, yet I still needed to grow and expand in may ways. Please know that I have done my very best to make all these adjustments in a way that keeps most of it behind the scenes so there is very little direct impact on our clients.
I know many of you wonderful folks outside of the Montgomery area didn’t travel to the River Region as much this year. There are so many people down in the Dothan wire grass, Deatsville, Greenville, Enterprise, Eclectic, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Troy and Columbus, Georgia that I haven’t seen on so long. I hope to see all of you travelers when you are more comfortable hitting the road again. I miss our hang outs.
Thank you to everyone who has continued to support 7Shadows Market through the years. Your efforts were even more appreciated in 2020. There are so many ways the 7Shadows Tribal Family kept things going. You visited the shop. You took the time to make commitments to the “buy local” movement. You shared our Facebook page . You “checked in” on social media when you visited. You bought 7Shadows Gear from our Zazzle Store. Most importantly, you have kept me sane through all the uncertainty. Your support strengthened me. I appreciate every conversation even more these days. When other things in life are hammering me relentlessly, you folks bring the joy to my world. I look forward to more great conversations in the new year. I appreciate all of the support you folks have provided. You shine the light on my world every day. Thank you for keeping my dream alive. You truly are the best.
God bless all of you wonderful people in our 7Shadows Tribal Family of geek and freaks. May you have an abundance of blessings and love in the new year.
Goodbye 2020. Please leave quietly. You’ve already made enough noise.
DW “Doug”
Owner
7Shadows Market
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