The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the adoption of e-commerce sites and online-shopping portals for small enterprises, and one example we see of that locally is Mixed Methods, nestled in Hanover Square in Syracuse. Mixed Methods is a brick-and-mortar retail shop, located at 215 E. Water St. Rear, that features a variety of unique artists’ work from […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the adoption of e-commerce sites and online-shopping portals for small enterprises, and one example we see of that locally is Mixed Methods, nestled in Hanover Square in Syracuse.
Mixed Methods is a brick-and-mortar retail shop, located at 215 E. Water St. Rear, that features a variety of unique artists’ work from across the United States — including pottery, jewelry, glass, metal, wood, stationery, candles, and much more. Owner Amy Wilson has demonstrated some of the best practices of small businesses by moving her shop inventory online, quickly and professionally.
Wilson first came to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Onondaga Community College (OCC) in January 2019, when the artisan shop, Eureka Crafts in Armory Square, shut its doors after 37 years. Wilson had worked at Eureka Crafts and recognized the void that would be opening with its closing. She discovered that she had the desire, acumen, and organizational skills to make her dream of Mixed Methods a reality.
It was my pleasure to work with Wilson, providing her with coaching, research assistance, proofreading, constructive criticism, and general business startup mentoring. We worked together on the development of Mixed Methods’ business plan, LLC formation, budgeting and cash-flow financial statements, and real-estate options.
“From the beginning, SBDC has been a reliable resource and one of my go-to places to get information, ask questions, or learn about something new,” Wilson says.
The doors of Mixed Methods opened in mid-2019, and together we coordinated a ribbon-cutting ceremony and media event that included SBDC and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives.
When COVID-19 hit brick and mortar stores hard in March 2020, Amy was quick to transition her inventory online, even though it was not part of her strategic plan for years one and two of the business. She demonstrated numerous best practices that other brick and mortars would likely find beneficial to adopt. First, she recognized the necessity of the pivot to online sales and, in response, she shifted her time allocated to managing the business from in-store operations to converting her inventory to an online catalog and check-out powered by a free online store using the Square platform.
Wilson got back in touch with me to help her navigate the small-business stimulus funds from the federal government’s CARES Act. She had some reserves in place to cover general operating expenses for a few months (another best practice any business needs to implement), but she needed help with outstanding invoices, employee wages, and determining other answers to application questions. Mixed Methods ended up receiving a COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan for $2,000 and a $5,000 grant through Syracuse Small Business Emergency Relief Fund provided by the KeyBank Business Boost and Build program.
It’s valuable to recognize the many best practices that make Mixed Methods a success story. Amy very clearly and completely lays out and communicates the store’s COVID safety protocols on her website, both in writing and with a graphic presentation. She also has up-to-date and functioning social-media presences on Facebook and Instagram. Both use the handle “LetsGetMixed,” which are integrated with her website, inventory, and communications.
“The recent holiday shopping season was so different from last year, but by making adjustments and receiving valuable financial assistance I was able to offer additional shopping options of local delivery, in-store pickup and shipping through the online store and well as in-store hours,” Wilson says. “This allowed shoppers different ways to still shop locally and safely. Over the next couple of months, I’ll review sales trends and processes and work to maintain the online shopping options and storefront.”
Visit Mixed Methods online at https://letsgetmixed.com/ and shop for delivery, pickup, or shipping options from amazing artisans. Gift purchases receive complimentary packaging with artist information — a unique feature of the shop. Also, appointments to visit the store can be specially scheduled outside of normal operating hours.
Advisor’s Tip: All SBDC clients can take advantage of a special partnership with Square through the Empire State Development Digital Initiative, which offers new users free processing on up to $1,000 in credit-card transactions for the first 180 days after joining. Other offerings from the Digital Initiative include resources and financial benefits from Etsy, Shopify, Clearbanc, and RitualONE.
Frank Cetera is an advanced certified business advisor at the SBDC, located at Onondaga Community College. Contact him at ceteraf@sunyocc.edu