Primal Supplements owner/operator Pawan Manhas. Photo / Andrew Warner
Primal Supplements owner/operator Pawan Manhas. Photo / Andrew Warner
Tough, tiring, relentless, challenging and exciting. That's how Rotorua businesses have described the year since the Covid-19 lockdown.
Business owners were forced to close their doors and faced several weeks without trade when the entire nation went into self-isolation on March 25.
Local retailers had to trial survival tactics as theyadapted to a new norm. But a year on, they say the hard work has paid off and with a new outlook and continued local support their businesses were here to stay.
Secret Spot co-owner Keith Kolver described the last 12 months as challenging and exciting.
"We were just getting started then the lockdowns hit."
Reflecting on the past year Kolver said he had learned how important it was to have a good work-life balance.
"We've had to work hard to get some wind under our wings. We've definitely learned the value of having a good team behind us."
Kolver said he felt for the tourism businesses that have either not survived or were struggling through but he was "humbled to be on the other side of the ledger".
This year, Kolver said the business was introducing a new event and function "safari tent".
"We're trying to grow in a pandemic. We've just got to give things a crack."
Canopy Tours general manager Paul Button described the last year as "tough, tiring and relentless".
Button said, like everyone, the business has had to adapt to a new normal.
"We kept to our core products and worked harder to deliver them better. We knew the only way to come through this was with ultra-personalised serviced..."
Some of the biggest challenges they faced this year was ensuring the wellbeing of their team, he said.
"From the initial restructures via Zoom, to working over the last year with no certainty."
The business also learned how to "ride the waves of seasonality".
"This used to happen a few times a year when the seasons changed to winter. But now we see erratic changes in demand every week, from a weekday day to a weekend, and depending on the weather from one week to the next.
"There are no patterns to the business anymore and you can only react to what is in front of you."
Button said the year's successes included the way the team "stuck at it" to survive the pandemic.
"They did whatever they could to help. They were trapping pests in the forest, painting buildings, cleaning vans, updating the various policy documents and checking gear."
Being named one of the Top 10 Experiences in the South Pacific by Tripadvisor again this year was also "extra rewarding" after switching to a domestic-only market, he said.
Button said the plan next was to "keep battling".
"With only Kiwis coming on tour, we hope that the word of mouth is stronger...," he said.
"It's been a tough year of trading and that's not going to let up any time soon. It's still important that Kiwis keep supporting local businesses."
Tutanekai Souvenirs & Gifts owner Ruth Henderson said she still has the doors opened "but it's totally changed".
"We used to be so busy and my accountant couldn't believe how much we used to turn over."
Henderson said she also took a gamble and now stocks different goods she would not have had in the past.
"I've had to change it up and that has been pretty scary spending money I don't have. But I have handpicked everything and they have been selling."
But she was determined to remain upbeat and said the support from locals has been "amazing".
"There have been two positives out of this I have reconnected with the locals and I am very grateful for that. My hours have shortened too."
The only way was up, Henderson said after a "terrible" year.
"My shop is my passion and I have been here for 12 years so I am not going anywhere."
Primal Supplements owner/operator Pawan Manhas bought his business two years ago and said during the lockdown he did door-to-door deliveries.
By his own admission, those times were a struggle but things were starting to look up.
"We are doing ok. The gyms are open which is good as people are still training. We work hand in hand with the gyms and I really think the Rotorua locals like to support locals. And that community spirit is great."
Quentin Mcintosh opened a new business Q Records & Collectables in the face of Covid-19. Photo / Andrew Warner
If you told avid music fan and record collector Quentin Mcintosh a year ago if he would now own a business - he'd think you were mad.
But that is exactly what has happened despite Covid.
The empty shops in Rotorua's CBD lay testament to some companies who have shut up shop due to the pandemic and economic downturn but Mcintosh is determined to give it his best shot.
"So after lockdown last year, I started a Facebook page to sell a few records to supplement my income. I also wanted to interact with like-minded people and share some memes. And it grew from there.''
He said Q Records and Collectables complements his Facebook page but opening the business in the current climate was ''huge''.
Mcintosh only opened the store three weeks ago but said it's been "fantastic".
A background in radio has stood him in good stead and "I've always been a music fan".
"I would be buying a crazy amount of records. And then I wasn't getting around to playing them. So I ended up with a huge pile of records, which were unplayed."
That also proved to be a catalyst and now he was enjoying shaping his own destiny.
