I'll start by saying that I am very lucky - extraordinarily lucky.  *Touches wood* - in terms of health, nobody close to me has been afflicted by this terrible virus.  My heart goes out to those that have.  But I have been affected in other ways.

I had spent most of  this year planning my business launch.  I was going to act as a consultant to writers needing extra "oomph" and a little motivation and some good ideas to fulfil their artistic ambitions.  I was also offering my services as a qualified accountant, and my experiences within risk assessment.  I'd completed my business plans, contacted new customers, and I was looking forward to a lucrative and exciting new when when...

WHAM!

Covid hit, and hit hard.  People replied saying that they were really sorry, but they weren't in a position to be able to work with me.  This hurt, as I really admired some of them, and had some dealings with them when I worked with them back when I was employed.  I had hoped they would take a chance, as I had taken a chance, and worked exclusively with me.  I'd spent hours going over their work, free of charge, and had sent drafts back to them, pointing out where they had gone wrong and what they could do better.  It was really disheartening, but worse was to come.

Here, in the United Kingdom, the people who organise our tax demands are called HMRC.  HMRC are also managing the government payments to the self-employed, based on what they'd usually earn.  I have never ever (except for three separate periods of time) relied on welfare, so it was hard to apply to the fund.  I sent them my admittedly ambitious projects for income and they sent them back to me saying they were "wholly unrealistic."  I had forecast net income of £8,000 in the first month, rising my 30% for each following month.  Ambitious, yes, of course.  Unrealistic?  No.  I have a good record on consistent employment since leaving school (except for university, and those three periods of unemployment).  

HMRC said that I had to evidence income, but I wasn't able to, because the business hadn't yet started, so instead, I have to apply for welfare for the fourth time in my life.  It's really crummy, but I'm trying not to let it get me down.  It will mean I have lots more time to develop my character here on MR.

I don't really know why I wanted to share this story.  I guess it's to try and reach anyone else who has experienced problems launching a small business, or maybe someone frustrated with ambition stifling bureaucrats.  It's easy to look at the game persona of someone and hate on them, but underneath we are all just people, trying our best with what we have.

Once Covid is over, I'll stick to my business plan, and I know that I'll do well.  Maybe I'll come back here in a six months, or a year, and let everyone know how I'm doing.

Thanks for listening, and have a good day.

I'm sorry to hear about how Covid has damaged your business plan. I'm sure you can hone your skills and be an even bigger inspiration in the future.

This is one of those moments in history, where we will speak to our grand kids about this. And tell them stories of how we found a way to persevere. Growing up it was always insightful and yet crazy to hear stories from elders about the Great Depression. However that set the course of history for the next 100 years for the American Nation. I reckon this will have similar shades. 

Very similar to then. Today our resources are very much the same. Care for your neighbors, your neighborhood. Care for your elders and young's. Care for those that are sacrificing everything for the greater good. Stand together, even when it feels convenient to splinter. This is one of those moments, where our sacrifices will be our biggest rewards. Perhaps not monetarily, but in other ways. Whether that be family time, uplifting a needy neighbor or helping a elder with their groceries. 

My family runs a business. I work in the Health field. And I know neither is easy atm. However, we push. As we always have...till the sun rises. Till then we push thru the dark. Keep your head up high, things can only get better from here.