05/07/2021
Anyone who has been into our shop knows that we always donate our tips to local charities and initiatives. This weekend we will be donating our tips and $2.00 from every bag of coffee to CMHA Edmonton in honor of Mental Health Week.
It has always been vital for me to lead by example and to normalize talking to each other like people, not faces we see in a day. It is one of the reasons I try to be as open as I can with the struggles and successes for my mental health.
This pandemic has affected our little shop more than I could ever explain from delays in opening, increased costs, decreased revenues, shipping delays, and I could go on forever. However, most of the narrative surrounding supporting small businesses comes from a financial standpoint, not realizing the mental impact. I know these experiences are not unique to me and that I am not alone in this. The hardest part has not been the financial toll (as hard as that has been). It is the daily need to evaluate where things are and how to best adapt. Without trying to get too political, the other struggle has been I have had to fight, beg, and research every day with our provincial and federal government for support.
It is a daily task of finding out if any new programs are available to us or if old programs are now suitable for us. As a new business, we are not eligible for much, yet every announcement by the government states how much they are here for me. This week, ironically, has been the hardest yet for me. Listening to our premier move us into more restrictions that will affect us dearly while also saying how their government has done enough to support small businesses through this.
I want to open up, discuss the strife, and talk about how our mental health also deals with positive things! I have been surrounded by a community that continues to amaze me with their love and support. Having been opened for only seven months, having customers tell their kids “ask Uncle Scotty what you want” brings me more pride and joy than any financial goal. I am eternally grateful to live in a city that embraces each other the way we do, especially when I have not seen my loved ones or friends.
So this weekend, this week, this month, and in the future, remember to be kind to yourself (something I still work on), practice self-care and tell your loved ones you are there for them. If you need support, please ask for help. I know it can be daunting, scary, and challenging, but being a little vulnerable can make a world of difference.
I know as the pandemic has worsened, many of us are staying closer to home. If you want to support CMHA, there is a way to tip on our online orders, or you can donate directly https://buff.ly/3nYpRsD.
If you ever need a friendly (mask-covered face), know that we are always here with hot coffee.
