I’m very excited to share Playa Vista Direct’s very first Women in Business issue. Putting the magazine together, I was fortunate to get to know so many local female entrepreneurs and business owners and was inspired by each and every one.
Times are tough considering we are in the middle of a pandemic. Many businesses in the service sector have been shut down to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. For Beauty Beach Lounge owners Shay Merchav and Jennifer Nairn, it’s been a difficult time. But when they opened their business, they both had the foresight to put money away for a rainy day. Nothing beats good planning and I’m confident they’ll come back stronger than ever.
For many other women in business, the time of COVID-19 has been about adapting. Clothing designer Randi Wishnow knows what I mean. Wishnow adapted her company bailey blue that normally makes a women’s fashion line to making fashionable face masks. I love the fun animal print mask she gave to me. Thanks, Randi!
Interior designer Julia Newman of Julia Adele Design also made a pivot in her business. She’s now doing much of her work online and growing her business in other states. Time and time again, I’ve seen strong business women bend but not break to meet the new challenges of doing business in this time of change.
But it hasn’t just been female business owners looking to make modifications. Even the Theater Department at Loyola Marymount University adapted by performing Shakespeare virtually on Zoom. I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised considering Shakespeare himself often had to change up production during times of plague, even writing his play “King Lear” in quarantine.
I hope this issue inspires you to think about how you’ve been evolving during this time. For me, it’s been about making my home office more ergonomic and, when I’m not working, engaging in fitness activities outdoors like hiking. Being outside is good for my body and my mind.
I’d love to hear how you’ve pivoted, adapted and evolved. Feel free to email me your experiences.
Shanee Edwards
Managing Editor · shanee@playavistadirect.com
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