CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Economists predict 40% of the working population in North Carolina may lose their jobs or face a pay cut. Some small businesses in the Charlotte area are actually thriving right now, while others are seeing their dreams put on hold.
Myers Park High School graduate Christine White started her bead shop and jewelry making business Beads Inc. 18 years ago. Her store is closed, but the bead business – despite, or maybe because, of the pandemic – is booming.
“We have pretty much quadrupled our online sales which have been really amazing," White said.
She and her team created home kits that anyone with cabin fever and a little bit of creativity can order online and make themselves a piece of jewelry.
“Definitely some record-setting days that have blown us away," she said.
As a small business, her pivot to online is keeping the lights on – literally.
“It has given us the opportunity to keep some of our staff working and given us a chance to keep the bills paid and keep going forward in this time that’s very difficult for a lot of people," White said.
Jen LaPierre also owns a crafting business -- WeCraft Lab in downtown Pineville.
“We had some big plans for the grand opening,” LaPierre told WCNC.
WeCraft Lab was scheduled to open the same week businesses were told to shut down.
“It’s not something you plan for," LaPierre said.
She is also getting creative finding new ways to make money - and new ways to use the tools at her shop.
“We have these machines ... we thought what can we do to give back to healthcare workers first responders – which is why last weekend we used our laser cutter to cut S-Hooks," LaPierre said.
Those hooks make the masks just a little more comfortable to wear. and have helped make this tough time a little bit easier for this brand new business owner.
“It's hour-by-hour, minute by minute – how am I going to make this happen," she said. "I have had this dream – how do I keep pushing forward.”
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