It’s been awhile since I last wrote about COVID-19 and living through this Global Pandemic. When the Coronavirus was first confirmed to have reached Canada back on January 27th, 2020, I honestly didn’t think much about it. Even here in British Columbia, after we confirmed our first case of community transmission on March 5th, 2020, I was still ignorant to the fact of how easily transmissible and deadly this virus had become. In fact, it wasn’t until the first public health emergency was declared across our own province that I woke the fuck up and realized the severity of the situation and the destruction and horror that we as a Global Community were about to embark upon.

Deciding Which Type of Business Owner I Want To Be

As a Small Business Owner I have lots of responsibilities. And because I work in the service industry, managing different personalities is one of those responsibilities that I have had to teach myself how to deal with over the years. The truth of the matter is that you can’t make everyone happy. Some people will like you and some people will dislike you. I’ve never taken business personally and as such could honestly give two shits if I’m liked or not. I do however want to be respected. And in order to be respected, I feel that I need to be honest and direct with my views and opinions on certain subjects even if they clash with the views and opinions of our respected clients. There are lots of people who I don’t like or who annoy me, however I respect them because I know they are good people. Just because we share a difference in opinions does not make them my enemies.

With that said, I’ve always tried my absolute best to refrain from engaging in heated conversations and debates that involve politics and religion online and amongst our clients. I work in the Health & Fitness Industry. I care about helping people better their health, transform their physiques and improve their overall quality of life. I could care less about who they voted for during our last election or who they do or don’t pray to openly or behind closed doors.

A Smart Business Owner

An intelligent business owner knows when to talk and knows when to shut up. During times of crisis, many business owners will remain on the sidelines and stay quiet so as not to interrupt the flow of their company. This can become an especially effective strategy to implement if the owner knows that picking a side during a conflict such as the one we are experiencing with the newly announced mandatory proof of vaccination for COVID-19 here in British Columbia, will cause he or she to lose business.

The problem with this type of owner is that he or she is not remaining true to themselves and true to their own values and beliefs. I cannot respect someone who does not at least stand up for what they believe in and support their cause. Regardless if I disagree with the Anti-Vaxxers and the Anti-Maskers with regards to how to tread through this Global Pandemic, I can still appreciate them for remaining true to their own beliefs as long as it’s done so in a respectful and non hostile manner.

The Respected Business Owner

A respected business owner will be liked and disliked by many people. He or she will take criticism and handle it well because they have taught themselves how to do so. Like the smart business owner, this type of business owner also knows when to talk and when to shut up. However unlike the smart business owner, the respected business owner also knows when it’s time to step in and speak up against what they feel to be unjust policy and/or poor behaviour.

The Smart & Respected Business Owner

Throughout this entire Global Pandemic I have tried to remain very careful with how I choose my words. Not just because I don’t want to lose business, but more so because I don’t want to be ignorant to the facts, while at the same time disrespectful towards others who share a difference in opinions and beliefs then me.

Yes, I do believe in Science. No, I do not believe in COVID Conspiracy Theories.

Yes, I do believe in supporting our Health Care Workers. No I do no believe in calling them “Bitches” and “Morons” because the decisions they make, have an impact on my income and my lifestyle.

And Yes, I do believe in doing whatever I can in order to help keep each other safe and alive. And No, I do not believe that the Government is trying to control us and invade our privacy.

Now, in twenty years from today, when we look back at COVID-19 and all the destruction that this Pandemic has caused, I might be eating my words. However I won’t regret sharing my thoughts and opinions with you all in a respectful manner because if I didn’t, then I would not be holding myself accountable to our clients while at the same time remaining true to myself and continuing to strive and become that smart and respected business owner.

“Never be content to sit on the sidelines when there is so much work to be done on the field.”
– Susan Gale

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance