March 2020: shops were shut, doors were locked, and the entire nation became subject to a nationwide lockdown. It was the first time such emergency government powers had been used since the Second World War. What followed was a six-month period over which millions of people were unexpectedly thrown into a situation of complete volatility, unable to predict not only the financial consequences but also the long-term effects lockdown would have on us all. In particular, lockdown tossed small business owners overboard into the sea of the unknown, making it impossible to plan for the near or far future. I interviewed Victoria, the owner of a local jewellery making business in North London to gain a deeper insight into the reality of navigating through lockdown as an entrepreneur:

What made you want to start a business?

I wanted to start my own business because at the time, I had two small children and that required flexible working. Secondly, I’ve always dreamed of being my own boss.

How long has your business been running?

I opened in 2013, so its been 7 years since we started

What were sales like pre COVID-19? How did these change over lockdown?

Before COVID-19, so in the period of Jan through to March 2020, sales were pretty slow because that’s not typically the busiest period of time for my business. Over the lockdown period however, so from March probably through to around August, we saw a slight uplift of sales as more people were staying at home.

If you had to live through another full lockdown, would you have done anything differently?

It was clear that there was a lot of demand for our children’s products, so I guess I would probably expand our children’s range.

Do you believe lockdowns are the best way to stop the spread of the virus?

Absolutely! By staying inside, you obviously reduce the amount of time you spend interacting with other people, which is how we know the virus spreads.

Is lockdown worth it, considering the effect it had on so many small businesses?

Even as a small business, I can say wholeheartedly I would rather lose profit and still have my health and the health of my family than to have a successful business and have lost any friends, family or neighbours in the process.

As an online business, do you still see a future for the high street and in person shops?

I think the high street, just like any business or organisation, has to continually evolve, and must look at the changing needs of the consumers. So, whilst I do think that online shopping is the way forward and will continue to grow, I also believe there is a role for in person, bespoke and personalised elements that can’t be replicated online, and I think that its those types of services that will rise above the rough storms on the high street and still survive.