Back to School Challenges for Small Businesses

As Springfield and other Lane County school districts begin the school year with virtual learning, teachers, students, and parents are all preparing to once again juggle online learning with the demands of working or running a business. Striking a balance among these demands can be a challenge for small businesses – especially considering other factors at play for many families. 

Back to school carries a very different set of responsibilities for both parents and students this year, and there are new challenges that families running or working at a small business must navigate.

Nick Nelson of Keller Williams, and Springfield Chamber Board member explains, “With a household where both parents work, creating a schedule where one of us can be home or at least check-in is going to be struggle.  From our son’s perspective, not getting to meet his classmates, physical activity, and the community you have with your school is going to be different.  A positive shift is I have been telling our son that is he is the first generation that needs to adapt in this new mod of learning.  I told him to have a positive attitude and apply himself.  In our talk I spoke about this will create a skill that people will need in the years to come.”

Even if students are in the classroom, schoolwork is still challenging students, with the added element of parental involvement of lessons and supervision. This can often be coupled with tough decisions for families in our community. Mark Molina, owner of Molina Leadership & Business Development Solutions, and Springfield Chamber Board Member adds, 

“Online learning is equally as demanding as the classroom. It requires families to purchase more resources and have them readily available for their children. Children under high school age require a parent be available to navigate the site, lessons, questions, and expectations. All of my neighbors have at least one parent or life partner who has had to quit their jobs or asked to be laid off so they can be home to facilitate online learning. This has added the burden to families losing their health insurance coverage. Some have older parents or family members coming to help with the online learning, so they don’t have to lose their jobs.”

With a new learning format and in-home dynamic, our chamber members are finding new ways to avoid screen fatigue, combat stress, and maintain a positive attitude. Nick Nelson explained how he has been feeling, and what his family has done to work through some of the new stresses. 

“2020 has been a year on empty already.  I think at this point we have all learned to push through and get the job done.  Our son sees us as parents do this daily and he has stepped up to make sure he pulls his weight.  Last year was just a mess.  We are all hoping this year there is more focus, teacher time and better product pushed out by the schools.  We will see what the new year brings. No reason to speculate until we’re in the mix.  

The biggest thing we have done more as a family is talk.  Making sure we hear our son’s side and reassure him were all struggle with this environment.  Making sure to go into this year with a positive attitude has been a conversation had many days.  I told him there have been times when citizens need to chip in, and right now these kids are having to do that, in their own way.”

As school districts and teachers have had to change their coursework and adapt to a new normal, so too have employees and business owners. As workers step-up to move forward, employers have also found ways to support their staff. Mark Molina referred to his wife’s law practice, Molina Law Group, as an example of such support. 

“My wife has allowed her employees with kids to work part time from home to meet their kids’ educational needs. The other half of the day they are required to come into the office and work some weekends. My wife has not reduced the pay of her employees. She has even put them on salary so they will not lose income. However, they must come to work to meet their billable hours. My wife pays for the employees and their families’ health insurance, so it has been very hard on her as an employer. The PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) saved her practice, but I am not sure if she can endure much more as a small business.”

Nelson added that for the self-employed, many of the same changes have to be made. 

“Being self-employed, it is on me.  No HR, no paid vacation, no sick leave and no support staff.  A lot of small businesspeople will be doing their best and asking their kids to follow suit.”

As the Springfield Chamber continues to develop resources and programs to assist our business community in 2020 and beyond, we are looking to our members to share their stories with us. Let us know how your family and your business are adapting to the changes 2020 has brought, and how you think the Chamber can help. Please also make sure to check our COVID-19 Resources, Back to Business Guide, and Small Business Development pages for more resources and information.