Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, February 6
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Business»Small business Eden Prairie: Managing through the pandemic
    Business

    Small business Eden Prairie: Managing through the pandemic

    By Richard LeeDecember 18, 2020Updated:December 18, 20203 Mins Read

    Few businesses have escaped impacts due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

    Yet, smaller, more nimble Eden Prairie firms have moved to adjust, seeking to take advantage of the opportunities that 2020’s challenges also presented.

    Max Kim: residential painting

    Max Kim of Eden Prairie, owner of Kona Pro Painting LLC, has gone beyond video calls and started providing estimates virtually. 

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    “Virtual estimating let us see the client’s space, get the necessary measurements, collect the client’s concerns all while protecting each other from potential exposure,” Kim explained. 

    “Residential interiors jobs slowed down considerably but virtual estimating still helped us there.  Our exterior painting business did not slow down over the summer.” 

    Kim deploys 2-3 crews during busier summer months and is committed to a core crew of three during the leaner winter months.

    Melissa Hernandez-Erickson: events and styling

    Advertisement
    Ad for Eden Prairie Schools Strategic Planning World Cafes

    Melissa Hernandez-Erickson owns two businesses under MH Consulting: one provides event consulting, the other personal styling. 

      “I used to do full event planning and management,” she said.  “Many weddings and events changed or were postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus.” 

    So she shifted to offering event consulting, much of it delivered virtually.  “The shift to consulting let me help clients with pieces of their new plans.  And I can deliver that virtually to any client anywhere.”

    Hernandez-Erickson also uses an interactive online platform for styling sessions that expands her reach to clients while eliminating the risk of contracting the virus. 

    Carina Smith: personal trainer and nutrition coach

    Carina Smith, a personal trainer and nutrition coach, moved back to Eden Prairie from Colorado in July, 2019. 

    She connected with clients through word-of-mouth referrals and would often have initial meetings at coffee shops.  Since that became unworkable, Smith shifted to virtual consulting via Zoom. 

    She has found that “…people are now more open to that yet still want a highly personal and customized experience.”

    Lessons learned by these EP business owners? 

    Melissa Hernandez-Erickson: Re-brand if necessary.  Find new ways to offer your expertise that meet clients’ changing needs, even if in smaller pieces, like consulting or a subscription service. 

    Invest in marketing through social media, videos, blogging, networking and Facebook groups to educate your market on your services.

    Carina Smith: Stick with what has worked for you in the past for your particular customer segment.  Organic conversations and word-of-mouth will still produce good referrals for personal services.

    Max Kim: Remain flexible.  Be sensitive to pricing given potential changes in disposable income.  Rely more heavily on paid leads if organic leads have slowed down.

    Looking ahead, Kim says, “I’m worried that work may continue to slow down.  I’m seeing lots of businesses shut down.” 

    Yet he remains committed to fundamentals for Kona Pro Painting.  “Build the foundation correctly.  Always do quality work.  Provide people with a good living and an ability to support their families.”

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleDec. 14 school board meeting: Stoltz apologizes for Aug. 24 conduct
    Next Article Foundations, Onward EP collaborate on homelessness effort

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    Tavern 4 & 5 to close temporarily for upgrades, reopen on Feb. 13

    February 3, 2023
    3 Mins Read

    Still without a new CEO, SouthWest Transit widens search

    January 31, 2023
    2 Mins Read

    New Chick-fil-A location now open for business in Eden Prairie

    January 27, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Eagles sink Skippers 98-88 in last-minute thriller

    February 6, 2023

    EPLN Sports & Events Calendar | Week of Feb. 6

    February 6, 2023

    Eagles upend No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret’s with shutout victory

    February 5, 2023

    Dairy Queen parking lot changes on council agenda

    February 5, 2023

    Eden Prairie joins fencing consortium to protect City Center and Fire Station 1 in case of civil unrest

    February 5, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.