June State of Business Survey

We had 88 responses in our latest state of business survey. Thanks to our participants - here are the results!

1. ​Are you fully open for business?

2. If you let employees go, have you brought them back?

3. ​If you have had layoffs, about what percent of your staff remains involuntarily laid off?

4. ​If you've invited employees back, how many of your offers of reemployment have been rejected (they're staying voluntarily unemployed)?

5. ​How have employees been complying with changes to cleaning/health safety standards?

6. ​U.S. respondents: have you applied for the Paycheck Protection Program?

• Lost out 1st try when funds ran out.  Received PPP 2nd try.  
• I had my accountant take care of it.
• Felt very stressful waiting for the banks to accept applications and to wait for results. It Helped tremendously, we were able to bring back all employees. 
• We received part of what we qualified for.
• Small bank made it easy for us
• The process was nerve wracking, so much misinformation.  We did not get into the first round as our bank took forever.  We were in the second wave of Loans.
• The process itself was not hard with our bank.  We missed out on the first round but got it immediately upon the second round opening.   
• Our Bank did a great job hooking us up!
• Very easy with our local bank

7.  Any other types of financial assistance you've received? How much has it helped?

• Yes we received EIDL and it helped with immediate payroll issues. 
• Missed out on EIDL. Would like to be able to apply but restricted to Agricultural
• Mortgage loan forbearance was allowed by bank which was a huge help. 
• very much
• We received the $10,000 SBA grant/loan. Did not help that much, the PPP is what helped us alot. 
• Federal EIDL grant received
• Through EIDL I received an SBA loan.  It helped tremendously.
• 100%

8. ​Have you been able to obtain all the PPE you may need?

• Need more 
• Would like to have a source for Lysol or similar disposable wipes 
• finally, but difficult at first 
• Lysol disinfectant 
• sanitizer wipes 
• Hand sanitizer wipes using sanitizer and paper towels for now 
• Hand sanitizer is scarce or grossly overpriced - same with gloves & masks 
• wipes

9. ​Have you, your employees, or any family been sick with COVID-19?

• A few employees were confirmed positive. 
• Wife of General Manager contracted Covid-19 and whole family quarantined for 3 weeks. 
• We have 38 employees and one had the virus in the beginning of March and was hospitalized but has been back to work for the past month. 
• 3 Team Members to this point and some family members. 
• My whole family has been sick and recovered by mid March. Staff is healthy 
• One employee spouse had Covid. He was tested (negative) and quarantined for 2 weeks. checked again and was negative and allowed to return.

10. How are you feeling at this point in the crisis?

• uncertain 
• Unsure
• Cautiously optimistic
• OPTIMISTICALLY CAUTIOUS 
• Positive. Business was down a little in May, but seems to be back to normal in June. We are remaining quite busy.
• Better than March but still feeling anxious about how business will be for the rest of 2020 going into 2021. 
• better but still uncertain due to a possible second wave
• slightly nervous and worried about another wave...some people don't show any concern...
• Very blessed
• We are worried about financing the back log that was created during the slow down. We expect to be very busy second half of 2020. 
• unsettled. expecting a resurgence. If it comes it could be the end outstanding past dues are growing
• Somewhat optimistic. 
• Business will come back strongly through September then a more modest monthly growth rate until a vaccine is in use.
• Uncertain. You cannot believe anything you hear positive or negative about the virus. You just have to use your best judgement to protect your employees and customers.  
• Trying to stay positive but getting very frustrated with the political hassling back and forth. We need ideas and answers, not complaints, to move forward.
• impatient
• concerned, not just about Covid19, but the economy
• Certainly a troubling time in our world but looking to continue returning to day-to-day business as usual with some added cleaning precautions.
• good
• i'm hopeful we can eventually regain some normal operations.
• At this point, it feels more normal than it did when the pandemic began. As a contractor in a hard-hit state, we had feelings of uncertainty when some of our local customers weren't responding to calls due to being closed, but as they re-open, we're seeing business get even busier than before.
• Feeling much better, I had a lot of anxiety through this whole process. We had a layoff for the first time in 25 years, I felt anxious about the possible loss of my company or downsizing it with permanent layoffs, and the loss of all the hard work I put in over the years. 
• Tired of it and ready for it to be all over!
• The long term effect is going to affect all businesses and people at all levels. Many large and small  businesses are filing bankruptcy. 25K retail stores estimated to close by years end.  1 in 2 restaurants  will either never reopen or will be forced to close due to  decreased revenue and lack of profits.  Very concerned for all businesses at this time
• Uncomfortable. 
• Ready to get back to normal
• Crazy
• okay
• We are feeling a decline in the restaurant part of our business.  Our fire extinguisher related inspections and service has seen some increase over last year.
• I'm skeptical about the reasons for government control over my livelihood and want to get to normalcy.
• Hoping customers will continue to let us start scheduling more inspections and that we can bring revenue back to normal/growth levels. 
• Hopeful
• Nervous 
• Very blessed. With people losing their lives, businesses, or employment, to be down 10% over last year and already coming back strong, I feel very blessed.
• ready but frustrated at not getting into more customers
• Stressed out and in need of some time off to regroup. The business declined as did cash flow for about 6 weeks, we are now seeing a big increase in the volume of work coming in and cash and revenue are picking up again for a steady 2 weeks going into its third straight week of positive increases
• One day at a time... 
• Confident that June we should bounce back unless we head backwards in the phases
• Whole, we got the loan, everyone came back!  We have such great employees! We had a skeleton crew for 2 months May 18th everyone came back!
• Fine
• Each day seems to get to be a little better and a little back closer to normal.
• weary
• hope for better
• Sad
• Anxious
• Hoping the upward trend continues.
• hopeful
• Just another day in the factory of life. 
• We have been at work this whole time and helping other essential businesses during our local shutdown and took care of the items needed around our shop and vehicles.  I am feeling that we are in a good position at this time and that the major part of this crisis is over in our area.
• Concerned about receivables and whether or not there will be a long term or permanent reduction in business volume.
• Things are getting back to normal. Catching up is going to be tough though. We might not get all of the accounts from April and May inspected until next year
• Willing to comply but overwhelmed with details. What are rational changes that we can make to keep our employees safe, without going overboard?
• Concerned about future business continuity
• I am relieved we diversified our suppression portfolio and do not rely on kitchen suppression systems as a main source of revenue as there is going to be a tectonic shift in the food service industry.
• Good. Restaurants had us on hold, but are now calling for their inspections.
• Cautiously Optimistic
• Ready and able to serve our customers and communities with fire protection services. We have a great team and live/work in a great State/Country
• Ready for everything to be back to OLD normal.  
• healthwise, great, financially not so much, and very anxious over PPP forgiveness process
• optimistic things are starting to move in the right direction. 
• Still a little nervous but feel we are on the back end of it.
• Just wish our state was back to 100% open! 
• Ready for it to be over...
• 80% confident. Only concern is a spike in the numbers in the fall.