Yahoo Finance How a single Instagram post kept this Aussie business alive
Small business Blake’s Feast was an events catering business before lockdowns struck, but quickly made the decision to diversify into takeaway foods when the pandemic hit.
Switching things up to become Blakeaway allowed the company to provide ready-made meals to those who didn’t want to worry about preparing dinner at the end of the day.
“We just had a feeling that the impact of the pandemic on Australia was going to be longer than the few months everyone hoped it would be last year,” co-CEO of Blake’s Feast Kasey Thompson said.
“Establishing a takeaway based business was the strategic choice we made to keep our brand and our team afloat.”
As a family-owned business, Thompson said there hasn’t been a lot of time to relax since the pandemic hit due to the need to stay on top of ever-changing rules and regulations.
“We haven’t had a moment to catch up on Netflix – it’s been all about troubleshooting every move and working around the clock as a team to keep everything running,” she said.
“It’s hard to believe it all started with an Instagram post by my sister with a quote from Charles Darwin about needing to evolve to survive, and since then we haven’t looked back.”
Blakeaway has been one of many businesses NAB is spotlighting for adapting successfully during the pandemic.
The future of small business in Australia
Though COVID-19 has forced some businesses to close their doors, others have been adapting well given the struggles of the last couple of years.
Mum and pop shops – local businesses that are the backbone of any neighbourhood – not only helped Aussies get through the events of last year, but thrived doing so, the CommBank Consumer Insights Report found.
CBA executive manager, consumer and diversified industries Jerry Macey said Aussies businesses rose to the challenge as consumer habits changed.
“It’s great to see consumers supporting local Australian businesses. We’ve seen Aussie businesses adapting to consumers’ changing needs and their customers have noticed,” Macey said.
“There is goodwill among customers and an overall perception that the retail experience has improved across online, in-store and delivery services. It’s a credit to these businesses that they’ve been able to adapt and thrive during such a challenging period.”
Likewise, NAB CEO Ross McEwan said he remains optimistic for the future despite the uncertainty and challenges faced by many businesses and households from continued COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns.
“Through uncertainty, we will support customers while keeping our bank safe,” McEwan said.
“However, we are optimistic about the long-term outlook. The strong economic momentum leading into this period, ongoing government support and customers’ relatively healthy starting positions give us confidence that once restrictions are eased, the economy will again bounce back.”
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