A time for hope, resiliency and a new reality
This blog is brought to you by Julie Rusciolelli, President of MAVERICK Inc.
It’s been almost 21 years since I started MAVERICK. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to swim through some unprecedented, murky waters the last two decades.
From surviving two major economic recessions, to SARS, overcoming personal tragedies and the technology bubble literally bursting right in my face, I have had to retool, re-establish and renew my vows to my company a number of times. And I thank God I have always been surrounded by wonderful staff and a close-knit team to get me through uncharted territory.
After the horrific 9/11 attacks, I remember feeling so helpless and devastated. We lost friends and business colleagues in the towers in New York City. As a connected nation, I didn’t think we would ever feel a sense of purpose or shake off the feeling of defeat. But one thing I’ve learned in life, is that the human spirit is made up of two glorious, intangible things — hope and resilience.
Today, small business leaders can’t bury their collective heads in the sand and wish this all to go away. Instead, it is a time to step up, lead and adapt to a new reality -- one with no end date. “Back to normal” may have no meaning; we may never be normal again.
As a PR agency, this reality means facing a 24-hour news cycle centred on COVID-19. Bottom line - the backbone of all news is about this pandemic. For now anyway…
While the media is consumed with reporting deaths, possible vaccines and tests, stay at home orders and political drama, there is still a way to communicate client insights and information that is relevant and newsworthy.
A number of our clients focus on the personal finance area. These clients now more than ever have sage advice for Canadians. And we are so proud to tell their stories and help Canadians manage their uncertain financial future.
In the past month we’ve had great success with these financial experts:
Kelley Keehn, FP Canada Consumer Advocate and personal finance educator has been tirelessly offering her expertise to Canadians across the country. From guidance on how to navigate payment referrals without impacting credit ratings, to COVID-19 fraud and investment scams to be aware of, Kelley has been interviewed almost non-stop by media.
Our friends at Credit Canada have been busy giving advice in the media to the the surge of indebted Canadians who are unsure where to turn. For a long time, Canadians have been spending alarmingly beyond their means and now, COVID-19 is the stimulus for a new wave of consumer debt. Watch some of Credit Canada’s solid work on CTV and Business in Vancouver’s video podcast.
Robyn Thompson, Certified Financial Planner has gone in a different, but equally important direction. Robyn has addressed the prudence of having a will in light of COVID-19 as well as how investors can outplay, outwit and outlast the market chaos amid huge stock selloffs.
For now, we are living, adapting and working under a COVID-19 reality, but forever hopeful it won’t be this way for too long.
Now, more than ever during these uncertain times, we need to dig deep into our souls and tap into that hope and resilience that will help us overcome this deadly time of COVID-19.