I have started a handmade marketplace business back in 2019, 3 months before the pandemic has started all over the world, my vision was to spotlight the talents who were never been able to find a proper channel to show their creativity. Usually, they must work very hard to create their customers’ database. I made that easy for them, just sign up then start selling. The business had over 150 craftsmen, artists & creators. Before the pandemic, the artistic level was moderate, people were creative, but life was dragging them away from what they loved. Most of them had their 9-5 jobs and used their free time to do what they are good at. Normal orders would take between 3-5 days depending on the size of each order. Once the pandemic hit the world and the close-down took place, a new mentality has replaced the old mentality of those creators. They have been divided into two types. The first one, creators who saw this pandemic as an opportunity to develop themselves & create new approaches and techniques for their product-making process. The other type saw the pandemic as a wall that separated them from their potential. The former saw an opportunity, but the latter decided to leave this opportunity. As simple as that. Covid-19 gave artists the opportunity of a lifetime, they will not find any better opportunity like Covid-19. The whole world was put on hold for them. Most of them were paid at home doing nothing or even working from home. No gatherings, gyms, obligations. Just sit at home and do whatever you love.
As for the business, this was reflected clearly on the orders. Since the delivery business was not terminated during Covid-19, we were able to operate during the lockdown. From what I saw, those craftsmen either boost their sales significantly or called us to close their online spot. We surveyed the craftsmen we had and found out that their reasons for closing their online spots were something like “… we can’t find a supplier.” Or “The pandemic is affecting my mental state.” And sometimes the answer was “I don’t need to work for money now”. We couldn’t find a proper reason for them to close, and we even tried to help them overcome any obstacle. However, the answers were the same. This will give us the conclusion that we have all known from day 1 of humanity. If you want to find an opportunity, you will break walls for it. And if you want to find an excuse, you will find a struggle even with breathing. Covid-19 provided an opportunity for those who seek it. An opportunity of a lifetime.
Article by: Eng. Mubarak ALWatri.
https://www.instagram.com/mualwatri/
