POST COVID POSITIVITY
Like many enterprises that rely on events and people being able to interact, Channel Magazine has been challenged by this Covid-19 period. Along with many other business enterprises we have risen to the challenge and worked hard to ride out the turbulence. It’s called resilience. Along the way we have done everything we can to assist local businesses and not-for-profit entities to do likewise. 18 months on from the start of this Covid-19 challenge we thought it was time to catch up with some of our business people to probe them about their own experiences through this period and to share their learnings. Local people in the hospitality, logistics, building, construction and business sales sectors. We’ve called this our 'Post Covid Positivity’ feature.
Riding out the Covid turbulence
Steve Taylor – Taylors on Hurstmere Steve Taylor has been in hospitality all his working life, working in London, Melbourne and Portugal. He is the proud owner/ operator of Taylors, a much-loved local Takapuna wine bar and eatery that has been operating for four years on Hurstmere Road, near The Promenade and Bruce Mason Centre. Steve talks to Channel Mag about getting through the initial Covid lockdown, the support of family, friends and regulars and the importance of staying calm during unprecedented times. Channel Mag: Looking back to March/April 2020, did you think that Covid-19 would be still playing this part in our lives 18 months on? Steve Taylor: I think no one knew exactly what was happening and for how long, but it felt this was going to be around in some way for a few years. CM: What helped you get through the initial Covid-19 lockdown period of March-May 2020 and come out the other side? ST: Great support from family and friends and our amazing regulars, constant social media interaction and an online voucher system for small businesses called SOS where you could support by buying vouchers in advance. The support as soon as we opened back was unbelievable.
CM: Complete the following… When we have beaten Covid-19 I am going to… ST: …take a well-deserved holiday to somewhere hot!
CM: The up and down uncertain nature has been a real challenge for business. What key things have you implemented to keep your entity focused on the challenge? ST: Being a small team and having an understanding landlord certainly helps! We built up a loyal customer base before Covid which helped us bounce back better, and we are still thinking ahead and positive with events and functions etc.
Michelle Leonard – LC Designer Homes
CM: What have been the positive things to come out of this challenge? ST: It makes you appreciate how things can change so quickly. I managed to spend time with family over lockdown which is hard to do in the hospitality business. CM: If you had one key learning from the period that you would share with others, what would that be? ST: Stay calm; a lot of things are out of your hands and positively work on the things you can control. CM: Why are you feeling positive about the future for your business and the North Shore? ST: I believe the Shore is going through some transition at the moment, the high street and related businesses are finding it really tough but I believe this summer will be better than ever for those that stick at it!
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Steve Taylor.
Issue 122 - August 2021 www.channelmag.co.nz
Taylors on Hurstmere, 168 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna Beach, Phone 09 489 9510 or visit: www.taylorsonhurstmere.co.nz
Michelle Leonard has a background in corporate architecture and has joined her husband Adam in his building business. Michelle leads the architectural team, designing and documenting their clients new homes and significant renovations, Adam then manages the construction of the homes Michelle has designed. The couple believe that the collaborative way of working gets the best outcomes for their clients. Michelle also works with clients on their interior fixtures and fittings, colours and finishes to create cohesive homes inside and out. She talks to Channel Magazine about the business, weathering the Covid period and positivity about what’s ahead. Channel Mag: Looking back to March/April 2020, did you think that Covid-19 would be still playing this part in our lives 18 months on? Michelle Leonard: Not at all.I think we were all so focused on how we were going to get through the next three to six months. CM: What helped you get through the initial Covid-19 lockdown period of March-May 2020 and come out the other side? ML: Microsoft Teams. It meant that we could catch up with our team, third parties and clients remotely and discuss what we were working on, what we needed to focus on etc. It took a bit of getting used to, but it now allows us to work remotely when we need to. Meeting
