Business Closing - Covid 19 - Help
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Tessa Packwood.
We started Woodlyn's Catering in 2002, serving quality meals and service to the local community and businesses. Catering weddings, BBQ's, Bar Mitzvah's, Anniversary's, Building Openings, Holiday Parties, Corporate Events, Tasting Dinners, you name it.
Business was good! We weathered the recession and adapted to the new normal of daily budgets declining. We expanded and doubled our size to better serve our clients. We exceeded the majority of clients expectations, they counted on us to be there and be on time. "Do not worry, we have you covered" I can't remember how many millions of times I have said that.... We survived!
Fast forward to the present, COVID 19. We have ALL been affected by it to varying degrees. For businesses, especially those in the food service industry and catering in particular, you had to pivot if you were to try and stay in the game. Well, we did that, tried that is. We opened a Deli and Market, tried to sell old fashioned Deli fare - subs, burgers, great sandwiches - high quality products. We hired a marketing company to help, we had online ordering and signed up with all the delivery platforms. We put up window decals, put signs out, handed out menus....people came, they supported us. It just was not enough.
Being closed for a few months, business having their staff work from home, no meetings to cater, no weddings to cater. It equals very little to no business.
Yes, we were fortunate enough to receive a PPP loan. That did help to fund the Pivot Model. Sadly, the PPP ran out and the pivot model was only bringing in $40 - $65 a day. I am sure you can imagine that does not cover any costs. So after much thought and tears, we are closing our business. Selling everything we can to try and pay off our debt. This is very humbling, to write this, to ask for help. There are people in the world less fortunate than we are. Folks that are facing serious illnesses and loss. I understand that, I truly do.
Now, I come before you the public, humbled, asking for a bit of help. Whatever you can do helps. A dollar, fifty cents, anything helps. Our debt goes well above what we are trying to raise. Hopefully we can stretch the funds out and work it out with our creditors. If you have ever worked with us, you know we gave you our heart and soul every time. We are just asking for a little of yours. If you are not in a position to help, or feel that your help would be better served elsewhere, we totally understand.
Please remember, small businesses will have a very difficult time recovering from COVID, if they can at all. Your local independent places, need help to survive or they will end up like us. Out of business and a mountain of debt ...well you get the picture don't you.
If you help us, we would greatly appreciate it, and again if you cannot or will not, please help someone else. Check on the neighbor that is a bit elderly, wear your mask, be a human and have compassion for your neighbors.
I thank you for taking the time to read my story and my rambling.
Cheers!
Tess
We started Woodlyn's Catering in 2002, serving quality meals and service to the local community and businesses. Catering weddings, BBQ's, Bar Mitzvah's, Anniversary's, Building Openings, Holiday Parties, Corporate Events, Tasting Dinners, you name it.
Business was good! We weathered the recession and adapted to the new normal of daily budgets declining. We expanded and doubled our size to better serve our clients. We exceeded the majority of clients expectations, they counted on us to be there and be on time. "Do not worry, we have you covered" I can't remember how many millions of times I have said that.... We survived!
Fast forward to the present, COVID 19. We have ALL been affected by it to varying degrees. For businesses, especially those in the food service industry and catering in particular, you had to pivot if you were to try and stay in the game. Well, we did that, tried that is. We opened a Deli and Market, tried to sell old fashioned Deli fare - subs, burgers, great sandwiches - high quality products. We hired a marketing company to help, we had online ordering and signed up with all the delivery platforms. We put up window decals, put signs out, handed out menus....people came, they supported us. It just was not enough.
Being closed for a few months, business having their staff work from home, no meetings to cater, no weddings to cater. It equals very little to no business.
Yes, we were fortunate enough to receive a PPP loan. That did help to fund the Pivot Model. Sadly, the PPP ran out and the pivot model was only bringing in $40 - $65 a day. I am sure you can imagine that does not cover any costs. So after much thought and tears, we are closing our business. Selling everything we can to try and pay off our debt. This is very humbling, to write this, to ask for help. There are people in the world less fortunate than we are. Folks that are facing serious illnesses and loss. I understand that, I truly do.
Now, I come before you the public, humbled, asking for a bit of help. Whatever you can do helps. A dollar, fifty cents, anything helps. Our debt goes well above what we are trying to raise. Hopefully we can stretch the funds out and work it out with our creditors. If you have ever worked with us, you know we gave you our heart and soul every time. We are just asking for a little of yours. If you are not in a position to help, or feel that your help would be better served elsewhere, we totally understand.
Please remember, small businesses will have a very difficult time recovering from COVID, if they can at all. Your local independent places, need help to survive or they will end up like us. Out of business and a mountain of debt ...well you get the picture don't you.
If you help us, we would greatly appreciate it, and again if you cannot or will not, please help someone else. Check on the neighbor that is a bit elderly, wear your mask, be a human and have compassion for your neighbors.
I thank you for taking the time to read my story and my rambling.
Cheers!
Tess
Organizer
Tessa Packwood
Organizer
Rockville, MD
