When your business specializes in creating decorations and crafts for weddings, parties, and other social events, the shutdown’s effect is even more profound. That’s exactly what one local small business owner is dealing with right now.
Alkmini O’Brien is the owner of For the Love of Details, an event planning, design, and decor located on 18 Broad Street in Red Bank, NJ. Instead of just waiting this situation out, she’s making the most out of it by giving back to the community that has given so much to her.
“How am I going to survive? I am in an industry that thrives on hosting events. I create and craft, yes. But most of my business is planing events, creating for events, which is something that’s completely dead stop right now. It’s definitely nerve wracking,” said O’Brien. It’s a situation that many business owners are facing as well, so the sentiments shared by O’Brien speaks volumes to what a lot of people are feeling.
How am I going to survive? I am in an industry that thrives on hosting events.
-Alkmini O’Brien, For the Love of Details
However, she’s taken inspiration in doing something positive. With her skills in crafting, she decided to help out the Red Bank business community by providing them with handmade facial masks. What’s really remarkable, though, is that she taught herself how to use a sewing machine to make these masks — without having used one ever in the past!
“I started researching materials, ordering what I can get my hands on, I ordered a sewing machine. I never sewed before, so I watched a bunch of tutorials,” said O’Brien. “And four days later when everything came in, I started producing.”
Since starting this generous act, she has handed out several handmade masks to workers. Based on the many social media posts from businesses and individuals that have been given a mask by O’Brien, they’re extremely grateful for the kind gesture.
I think that if you have the means throughout this crisis to continue supporting the local businesses that you would’ve otherwise normally done so, don’t stop buying, just change the way you shop.
-Alkmini O’Brien, For the Love of Details
Asked about what people can do to help out small businesses to thrive through all of this, she says, “I think that if you have the means throughout this crisis to continue supporting the local businesses that you would’ve otherwise normally done so, don’t stop buying, just change the way you shop. Order takeout, Curbside pickup. Many businesses are adapting to the situation.”
