Connecting Businesses with Customers

Near the end of 2019, a client of mine named 2020 the “year of clarity,” and wow, did he get that wrong!

2020 was a stressful time for all of us.

I started my business in June of 2019, and less than a year later, I was losing clients left and right because we all thought the world was ending.

Needless to say, I had a lot of time on my hands.

I got a call from Sheila and Jeff as things were closing down in March. They had the brilliant idea to join forces to help. Sheila, a graphic designer and Co-Owner of Gilday Creative, Jeff, a web developer and Owner of JTS Design, and I would team up to create an online directory for local businesses to let people know hey, “We’re Still Open Hudson Valley!”

I spent all my time (when not working on client content) promoting this website directory, tweaking the site and planning content, asking for more graphics, reaching out to Chambers of Commerce, business organizations, and news outlets to do our part to spread the word.

We just wanted to help keep businesses afloat.

Because it’s our local businesses that make our hometowns feel like home.

And in the end, we received an award!

We won a Chronogrammie!

Here’s a blurb from their website:

We're Still Open HV is a free online directory of area businesses that have been open while the New York State on PAUSE order has been in effect. The brainchild of local web designers Jeff Severson and Sheila Gilday and web marketer Kati Haynes, it's a resource for restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, and other businesses needing to let the public know that they're running and offer updates on protocol-related operations and related links. "We have a lot of friends in the business community, and we really wanted to do something to connect consumers to businesses," says Severson. "At this point, we have over 750 businesses listed, and we're still taking listing requests."

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and we were able to connect with many business owners, news outlets, and local publications.

We did our best to help local businesses with the services we had.

I’m so grateful to know such altruistic humans.

Thank you, Jeff and Sheila, for that call!

Here’s a list of where we were mentioned:

COVID-19 Response Winners
– Chronogram Magazine

“We’re Still Open HV” is a Free Guide to Local Businesses Still Open During the Covid-19 Crisis
– Melissa Dempsey

Coronavirus Hudson Valley Resources
– The River Hudson Valley Newsroom

Website lets you know what’s open in the Hudson Valley
– Hudson Valley One

Easy to use business directory website launched
– Mid Hudson News

We’re Still Open Hudson Valley
– Hudson Valley Eats

Volunteers provides virtual open sign to HV businesses
– Times Herald-Record