The Staunton Creative Community Fund is facilitating a virtual Rebuild and Recovery program for small business owners in the Shenandoah Valley who have been hurt by the economic downturn. WMRA's Bob Leweke reports.
The program, called Shenandoah Valley Rebuild, aims to help businesses pivot during the economic downturn, and plan beyond just the next few months.
DEBBIE IRWIN: A lot of times these businesses have tweaked their business model for just the immediate time frame, but what we really want to help them do is start to think about business model innovation. How can they change their business for the new world that we’ll be experiencing over the next couple of months, to couple of years?
Debbie Irwin, executive director of the Staunton Creative Community Fund, said participants will work together in a virtual setting through ten weekly two-and-a-half-hour sessions, beginning June 1st. They’ll tackle challenges such as new rules and restrictions governing businesses during the pandemic, and how to adjust marketing strategies to the new normal. And they’ll have an opportunity to connect with business peers and mentors.
IRWIN: Shenandoah Valley Rebuild is all about helping our Shenandoah Valley continue to be the economic vibrant community that it is and continue to support businesses in the best way that we can.
Irwin says small business owners who have trouble paying the registration fee can apply for a scholarship that will take care of most of the cost, by emailing hello@stauntonfund.org.
Click here to register.