WHNetwork Blog

Living and working in tough economic times

Chinese Proverb: "May you live in interesting times"

These times seem so strange -- like nothing I remember before. I remember the energy crisis in the 70s, other times when the stock market dove, etc, but nothing quite like now. I was wandering around the plaza in Sonoma with my daughter, who was here visiting from outside Spokane, WA. It seemed every store we went in we overheard people saying things like "Oh, that's lovely, but I'm not spending right now." And fact is, well, I'm not spending right now either.

Of the people I have spoken to, I can think of only one who doesn't feel impacted by the economy -- yet. It seems everyone from hairdressers to retailers to restaurants to big box stores are being effected; sales are down across the board. Three car dealerships in the Bay area closed their doors in one week!

What about our industry? What changes have we already made? What changes are we willing to make? What changes will we be forced to make? How many will simply go out of business?

We'd like to know how your business is being affected, and to ask for your thoughts, opinions and ideas, and hopes for the future. Next week we will share what you have told us. Maybe one of your ideas will help someone else save their business... Let's try and get through these times together.

Click here (now closed) to tell us your views on the economy.

Be sure to tune in next week to see what you all had to say!

-Margie