16 businesses blossoming during Coronavirus crises

As the days are getting longer and the nights shorter, I realize that the new lifestyle imposed by this pandemic will not fade away anytime soon, which disturbs me a lot.  I was planning days, weeks, months, even a year ahead. Now I’m feeling awkward that my agenda is empty. Everything scheduled for the rest of the year is erased.  Is like saying goodbye to a lifestyle I once knew. 

I had 2020 almost figured out. Leaving a bit of room for incidental changes – you never can tell what comes on your path-that’s what I said to myself. My goals and plans for the year were ready to be checked off. I was making the moves, so I was extremely confident.  This time I would follow through. January was bright. Meetings and assignments were scheduled in Spring. I envisioned myself working at events and visiting numerous art expositions. Meeting and collaborating with like-minded people. In fact, I was so excited that it never even crossed my mind that we would be in this abnormal situation on a global scale when I first heard about the Virus. Check out my first blog on this topic. Usually I’m quite grounded, for some reason I was so overwhelmed with my plans ready to take-off in full force and control. Next thing Covid-19 storms in. I almost forgot my own life lesson that things can change in a split second whether you are rich, poor, healthy or sick.  Nobody is excluded of that rule. That is why its time for a new plan.

“Let’s begin with businesses that are actually benefitting from the pandemic.”

The last 10 years I worked as an event/ production manager, from hosting to executing events as a freelancer. Occasionally I did administration and project related jobs for organizations. The lockdown and social distancing forces me to make changes in my career path. Where and how do I start from scratch? Let’s begin with businesses that are actually benefitting from the pandemic. Those that are up and running during this global outbreak.  I listed 16 sectors and businesses (applicable in the Netherlands, maybe for other countries too) in no specific order. I stated my thoughts [in brackets]:

1. Web shops: from Amazon, Bol.com, Zalando to the creative small online business shops [Many people are avoiding direct contact, it’s a great way to tap into the needs of your audience and supply your goods online] 
2. Health industry: nurses, doctors, assistants, pharmacists, labs [You love helping (sick) people and have some experience next to the stamina.  Assisting those that are in need is meaningful] 
3. Public service: police, surveillance, ambulance, fire brigade, [Serve and protect the people: is it the safety you want to cover or the law you want to protect? Dreamed as a little kid being one of the above? Check out your chances] Security and surveillance assistants [There are extra rules during this lockdown, break it and you be fined, someone has to give the law enforcers a hand]
4. Call centers: customer service, sales, charity [For the talkers, good listeners, advisers, goal getters and/ or problem solvers among us connecting with different people on the other side of the line brings you joy]
5. Online jobs: virtual assistance, surveyor, copywriter [Work independently on assignments from home at any time or with deadlines, I might check this out myself]
6. Apps developers, coders and designers [Learn a new skill and become a coder or developer, if you have much free time you can even teach yourself. Start searching the web]
7. Writers, journalists, bloggers, vloggers, youtubers (health, sports, economy, fun, education, gossip, games, technical, arts, DIY categories) [Don’t be surprised if your grumpy neighbour is doing very well with one of the above making long hours daily] 
8. Webinar: Zoom, Skype, Gotowebinar, Livestorm  [I am still trying to figure out how this works. Many businesses are signing up: trainings, classes and interactive meetings online]
9. Construction: street and buildings [The roof and streets are occupied with builders. I don’t see them wearing masks or having 1,5 meter distance, if that is not a problem, go for it]
10. Consumption production companies [We want more in a time of crises. Be ready to work day and night shifts]
11. Supermarkets and shops, especially those that deliver groceries [Even though the online supermarkets are very convenient, some people have to handpick their own fruit and vegetables, like myself]
12. Undertaker/ (life) insurance business: [people are always dying , with this pandemic you can expect a rise of funerals, cremations and burials. Tapping into this business or that of a life insurance company wouldn’t be such a bad idea, even after this crises]
13. Delivery driver/ biker [If you love to cycle or drive, you might as well make money with deliveries]
14. Post Office [Snail mail at its best, they are hiring mainly part-timers, check out the Dutch job directories]  
15. Sanitisation  [Disinfect everything and everywhere – Let’s keep the offices, schools, streets clean]
16. Caretakers: teachers, day care workers [Lack of teachers were before the Coronavirus, now they are needed even more, who is ready to make a great impact in children’s lives?]

You see there are a lot of options to choose from. Do not let the hurdles enter your mind like it does mine. I am determined to find challenging work fitting a schedule with kids. A job I can like or at least have interest to learn new skills. The reality is that many of us have to start with an empty board. It sucks, but will suck even more if there is no money to pay the bills. Unfortunately paying bills did not go on lock down. Transform your objectives, even if it’s temporary.  Find a job or amend the business plan to meet the needs of clients without losing much. The truth is I haven’t figured it out yet, like few months ago. Only thing I know is I have to make the necessary steps to keep my head above the water, whether it is finding a new job or change my business plan. No matter what I decide, I will keep moving. The quest continues.

Feel free to comment and feedback in English or Dutch what your thoughts are about my post. I am curious about your ideas on new ways to get an income. Do you have any tips?

NOTE: Last edited layout and typos/ grammar errors not the content of the post!