A SOLE PROPRIETOR’S PIVOT

Photos by Emma Highfill: Rose Wheat Photography

During a typical pre-COVID-19 workweek, David Vincent, a freelance filmmaker and photographer, would complete creative communications projects for area nonprofits, religious organizations and small businesses. On weekends, he and his wife, Jackie, owners of With You Beloved, would capture special moments for couples exchanging marriage vows and/or dispense espressos, lattes and macchiatos at wedding receptions, proms and corporate events through their mobile Circle Coffee Co. cart.

In addition to covering events in Kansas, the adventurous couple might also be scheduled to fly across the country or abroad for destination weddings.

But the pandemic’s arrival in March created a cascading number of cancellations for the couple’s entrepreneurial ventures, all of which relied on proximity, face-to-face encounters, and in some instances, air travel.

“Our business ground to a halt,” Vincent said. As couples postponed nuptials and companies conserved resources, Vincent’s work projects dwindled with the exception of a few clients that still needed assistance in communicating with customers.

For example, he helped Doxazo, a local ministry, create messaging about the organization’s transition from a traditional summer camp format to a pre-recorded “camp in a box” concept, filming skits and singalongs and letting potential participants know about the opportunity.

Aware of the impact extended social distancing efforts would have on his income, Vincent first applied for Paycheck Protection Program support online with a major funding vendor that never contacted him back.

Motivated by the short timeframe in which to apply and receive funding, Vincent reached out to Scott Hughes, vice president and loan officer at Silver Lake Bank, who assisted him throughout the process.

“Everything went quickly after that,” he said. “I got my application in around the time that the second wave of funding became available and within a few days I had a check to pick up. The whole experience made me really appreciate the importance of local banks and the ability to talk to someone who can answer your questions and give you both time and perspective to help you out.”

Once social distancing restrictions began to lessen in May, Vincent said work began picking up. He had some freelance opportunities and worked a couple of small weddings, “one with just four people in a backyard.” The Vincents also in May served coffee at an Overland Park hospital event honoring nurses.

“People are starting to figure out their upcoming marketing needs and my workload now is probably at 65 percent of what it was,” he said.

Despite the economic upheaval COVID-19 wrought, Vincent said the enforced business break also brought silver linings for the couple, including more time to finish home improvement projects, perfect a cold brew recipe and ponder ways to promote their businesses.

“When you’re self-employed and work at home, you feel like you’re always working,” he said. “The pandemic gave my wife and me more time to spend together and prioritize what we will focus on going forward, including rest and activities unrelated to our work.”