Entrepreneurs Turn Hobbies into Businesses During COVID-19 Pandemic
During quarantine, creative activities led to money making opportunities for many.
By: Diana Ortiz and Andrea Ruiz
COVID-19 is drastically changing the way most Americans are living. With the loss of steady employment, and increased safety recommendations to self-isolate as much as possible, Americans are staying indoors more than ever.
This has led many to take on new hobbies to occupy their time, and for those that are creative this has led to small business opportunities.
The implementation of social distancing measures forced the temporary closures of 43 percent of small businesses and 20.6 million people have found themselves out of a job according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. As a result, the United States’ unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent, the highest percentage ever seen since the Great Depression.
However, those numbers did not discourage someone like Yasury Rodriguez from creating her own small business.
Rodriguez works at her own home studio in Perth Amboy, NJ where the esthetician gives facials for a living. Her customers constantly compliment her skin which keeps her motivated to help others attain healthy skin as well.
“The greatest satisfaction that I get from my clients is when I get my clients with acne and I can help them improve their skin.” — Yasury Rodriguez
On Mar. 19, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy announced that all personal care businesses that cannot comply with social distancing guidelines must shut down until further notice. This mandate affected barber shops, hair salons, spas, nail and eyelash salons, tattoo parlors and social clubs. Rodriguez’ home studio was one of the small businesses that had to temporarily close.
“During COVID, we had to shut down for 4 months.” Rodriguez said. “It really hurt my feelings, not being able to see my clients. It was hard because I had to say no and take care of myself and not risk their lives either.” — Yasury Rodriguez
As a self-identified “skincare junkie,” Rodriguez knew that she had to take action to deliver her clients what they were missing. So she started her own online skincare brand, Sury Piel.
“That’s when I came up with the idea of, ‘Okay I can’t see them, so why not bring a store online and be able to help them have access to my products?’’ — Yasury Rodriguez
In addition to implementing social distancing measures, Gov. Murphy signed another executive order on Jul. 8 requiring all individuals to wear masks when unable to be properly distanced from each other. This urged people to purchase disposable masks, which rapidly depleted in stores and online.
It became evident that disposable masks were not sustainable in terms of production. They are meant for single use, and and their constant discarding led to a surge of pollution that resulted in oceans being full of “more masks than jellyfish,” as reported by The Guardian.
In order to provide an alternative, Nayely Hernandez of Englewood, NJ, a supervisor at a RX pharmacy started Kiabeth, her own reusable fabric mask business.
“The designing process begins with me going to a fabric store, picking out a bunch of different fabrics, and styles that I think my consumers would like,” Hernandez said. “From there, I will turn that fabric into two of my styles. A round mask, and another one with pleats that you can put a filter inside of it for extra protection.”
Besides the importance of wearing a mask for safety precautions, Hernandez gets excited that masks can be used to make a fashion statement. She has sold nearly 300 masks and wants to continue to sew her fabrics into other clothing pieces.
“You can mix and match your masks with your outfits to feel cool and trendy. It’s a new form of accessorizing with fashion.” — Nayely Hernandez
Hernandez makes two mask styles, rounded and pleated. As well as personalizing them from solid colors to pretty patterns and even movie characters like Darth Vader, depending on the clients preferences.
To prevent the spreading of the virus among employees, in Mar., Governor Phil Murphy instructed employers to limit on-site workers and allow for employees to work remotely.
Although there was no government authorization, other states encouraged their workers to work from home if they could. In Apr., it was reported that 51 percent of working Americans had settled into their new home offices. That number is now down to 33 percent with restrictions lifted in some areas and workers can choose to go back to their physical workplace.
Jennifer Ortiz of Somerset NJ, a medical receptionist is one of the millions of Americans who works both from home an at times on site.
With all of the extra time spent indoors, Ortiz was looking for something to keep her busy.
“I was just going crazy in the house, and needed something that would keep me sane,” — Jennifer Ortiz
“I have done crafts before for my son’s birthday, and I just randomly came up with the idea.” — Jennifer Ortiz
Her “random” idea blossomed into a business that she calls Sweet Jens Crafts. Using her laptop, Design Space, and her Cricut Smart cutting machine, she personalizes shirts, mugs, keychains, tumblers, gift bags, water bottles, and much more.
As people globally are enduring the change the pandemic is bringing, it is evident on how much it has affected everyone. The safety precautions are keeping loved ones separate, putting holiday celebrations to a halt, and forcing couples to postpone their weddings. Despite the challenges, these three young women are still finding ways for their business to keep growing.
About the Authors
Diana Ortiz is a Communication and Media Arts major student with a minor in Journalism at Montclair State University, aspiring to one day be in the screens of your homes. Her passion for communications grew from people on television that she looked up to, and hopes to inspire younger generations to dream big, and to never lose sight of the things they truly want. Ortiz wants to use media outlets to motivate others, the way she was once motivated while growing into her career. She loves the quotes “Stay true to yourself,” and “Never stop Smiling,” as she uses those motivational quotes to persevere no matter the circumstances. Ortiz says “A good story teller starts with an accurate and transparent one, be the voice to the voiceless.”
Andrea Ruiz is currently a senior at Montclair State University, where she is majoring in journalism to receive her Bachelor’s. She learned (currently still is) about the experience and skills in order to become a journalist, knowing that there is a lot more to journalism than just writing. Being open-minded, honest, and precise with ideas came to Andrea’s mind knowing that she is able to gain the education that the world is given. Having to make sense of things and good decisions is a plus to being a good journalist. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
