PREMIER
PIVOTS Oregon’s small business smarts, savvy and serendipity in surviving the pandemic’s attack on the economy written by Kevin Max | illustrations by Allison Bye BY THE TIME March ended, the pandemic had landed squarely on the doorstep of every Oregonian. People were forced to stay home, offices emptied, and businesses closed in hopes of reopening before the money ran out. Small businesses make up nearly all businesses in Oregon and nearly 780,000 jobs, according to the Small Business Administration. Businesses everywhere faced a new reality—change or die. In the following pages, we look at some dramatic and courageous pivots small business owners across many sectors made to save their businesses and livelihood.
56 1859 OREGON’S MAGAZINE
MARCH | APRIL 2021
