A spring of testing

The pandemic that hit us at the end of winter has disrupted our lives on various levels, from simple inconvenience for some to total chaos for others. Whether it's personal, social, or professional, I think I fall somewhere in the middle.

Masks to keep you going

I never thought I'd be mass-producing community protective masks ! Yet, it was this idea that allowed my shop to survive its public health-imposed closure.

From the beginning of the crisis, I stayed in action to try different avenues that would allow my business to survive, because there was no question of letting all these years of hard work go up in smoke! I stocked my online store with a large quantity of artisanal products already offered in store, several works by my artists and many scarves because it is easy to order online. Fortunately, I was able to seize the opportunity offered by the craze for masks and I made more than 600, which allowed me to last until the reopening. I now make much fewer, but they are still available in store and online: https://www.christinemercier.ca/products/masque-communautaire

A wind of change

We are living in difficult times, but despite everything, this health and economic crisis seems to me to be a time conducive to various reassessments and for my part, it comes at just the right time!

As an entrepreneur's life is punctuated by ups and downs, I had already begun to think about a possible overhaul of my business model. Retail is increasingly threatened by market globalization, clothing is facing fierce competition from low-cost brands, and brick-and-mortar establishments are suffering from the growing popularity of online commerce. With what is currently happening, major adjustments to my way of operating will be all the more essential, even beneficial, and that is what I am currently working on.

The local economy

Buying local is already becoming a habit for some, a resolution for others. People are increasingly understanding that it's a responsible way to consume by boosting the local economy, reducing the ecological footprint of transporting goods, and providing artisans with an income that they too can spend on buying local. It's a wheel that's turning, much healthier than the one that turns through China, Bangladesh, or the United States. I hope this solidarity movement will last, but the game is not won yet, as this study by the Léger firm shows: https://leger360.com/fr/annonces/letude-bleue-acheter-local-au-quebec/

Adapt or die

For all these reasons and with the ultimate goal of improving my quality of life, I plan to move my workshop-boutique to a smaller space (reduction of fixed costs), still with a street-front location to welcome my customers (same personalized service), but also to intensively develop online sales (essential to last).

These little extras that set me apart

Some ways of doing things will change, but the foundations of my business, its deep values, will only become even stronger. By streamlining the structure, it will allow me to devote time and energy to what matters most to me and what sets me apart from the competition: offering personalized service, constantly perfecting my work as a designer, finding wonderful fabrics, and passionately presenting the work of my artists and artisans.

I am working on this project with enthusiasm and diligence and will keep you informed of developments.

Because in life, you have to know how to adapt, it's a question of survival!