{"id":3852,"date":"2020-04-06T12:09:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T16:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/entrepreneurlaw\/?p=3852"},"modified":"2020-04-06T12:10:30","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T16:10:30","slug":"unmasking-new-opportunities-amidst-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/entrepreneurlaw\/2020\/04\/06\/unmasking-new-opportunities-amidst-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Unmasking New Opportunities Amidst Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

I know we are inundated with news\/conversations\/dread about coronavirus. However, I wanted to build off Travis’ great blog post and discussion last week on how businesses are adapting to this pandemic.\u00a0 Over the last week, there has been a monumental shift in the rhetoric of the CDC.\u00a0 For weeks we have been told that there is no need to wear masks in public and that social distancing would be enough to safely go about our business.\u00a0 Now, however, a recommendation for wearing cloth masks is prominent on the front page<\/a> of the CDC website.\u00a0 As it is now official policy that masks should be worn by all citizens rather than just medical workers, it is interesting to see how the world is reacting.<\/p>\n

Established Companies:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some companies have shifted their production to face equipment.\u00a0 Bauer, the hockey equipment manufacturer, has started to make medical shields from hockey masks.\u00a0 Brooks Brother is looking to make 150,00 masks a day. Carhartt is making 50,000 gowns and 2.5 million masks.\u00a0 MyPillow is focusing 75% of their production efforts to making masks and hopes to make 50,000 masks a day.\u00a0 For more companies, see link 1.\u00a0 New Balance is also getting in the mix with what seems to be the most creative route, using laces and other trademark footwear materials to make masks for hospital workers (some cool pictures of the masks in link 2).<\/p>\n

Small Businesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Established, wealthy brands are not the only ones taking up the production\/sale of masks. However, unlike the bigger brands doing it, many small businesses have had to change their course in order to survive as they face smaller demand or are deemed non-essential.\u00a0 For example, iPromo, a Chicago business that makes and sells SWAG saw their sales dry up with conferences being cancelled.\u00a0 The CEO used business relationships in China to get suppliers for medical supplies including masks and no sells those supplies for the time being.\u00a0 A small non-profit here in South Bend (!!) called Sew Loved which “teaches sewing and vocational skills to underseved women and at-risk teens” is “working to produce thousands of washable dace masks through its network of home-based sewers.”\u00a0 For other really cool stories such as these two, see link 3.<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurs:<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the CDC’s website they instruct<\/a> people on how to make a cloth mask at home.\u00a0 Home production of masks has been a new business for some people.\u00a0 One person has taken to Etsy to sell her masks, pivoting from just selling fabric to making the mask herself and selling the completed product.\u00a0 The article that talks about this person also goes on to give steps as to how an entrepreneur can save their business during this crisis, see link 4.\u00a0 Project Open Source was established the CEO of Inside Weather, a couch company, and this Project is aimed at making available information on DIY masks, see link 5.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While everyone is struggling during this pandemic, it is always important to keep things in perspective.\u00a0 I thought this article<\/a> on race relations\/mask wearing was a good read.<\/p>\n

Finally, for some levity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and sane.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Links referenced in blog:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/features\/2020\/04\/03\/these-companies-have-transitioned-to-making-masks-shields-to-aid-in-covid-19-fight\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/new-balance-factory-makes-masks-from-laces-other-sneaker-materials-2020-4<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/04\/02\/small-businesses-retool-to-make-products-needed-for-coronavirus-crisis.html<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/usaandmain\/2020\/04\/01\/coronavirus-small-business-owners-pivot\/5096980002\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/article\/348505<\/a><\/p>\n

Supplemental Links:<\/p>\n