REGION's businesses are changing their habits and behaviours to work in with the latest rules imposed by the state and federal governments regarding stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both governments announced regulations around businesses in a series of announcements across the weekend.
Stawell business, Solace Skin and Body directed Kim Salmi said she placed measures within her business from the very first announcement of the coronavirus entering Australia.
"I am working from home as much as possible and have made arrangements to do so at the best of my ability," she said.
"My team are only working when they need to be in treatment.
"It is a tough time, not just for me, but for everyone.
"But right now more than ever before, business owners have to think outside the box."
Mrs Salmi said business practices needed to adapt and try different solutions.
"We can't just bury our heads in the sand and think it can be business as usual," she said.
"You have to be innovative and flexible. You have to have plans in place, and you have to talk to your team about all the possible scenarios."
Mrs Salmi said she "loved" change, and as daunting as the situation was, she was up for the challenge.
"It's for this very reason that I love owning my own business. I get to navigate through this in my own way. I get to make the decisions that affect my business and my team," she said.
"I also get to reinvent myself and my business. That's actually exciting for me. As an entrepreneur, this is what I'm made to do."
As other retailers feel the pinch, Mrs Salmi said she would welcome other businesses in the community to pick up the phone and call.
"I would absolutely love to speak to any other retailers who might be struggling, or who might want to share ideas they have," she said.
"The reason I am so confident in what I do is because I lean on my mentors, other business owners in my industry and others that I trust for ideas and sometimes just bit of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.
"It's really important to reach out, not just in these times but constantly."
What is your business doing? Contact cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe for the Wimmera Mail-Times here, for the Stawell Times-News here, and for the Ararat Advertiser here.