20 min
Episode 14: Greensboro Strong impact. The Boro
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- Entrepreneurship
During what was supposed to be Small Business Week, our member engagement team shares the stories of two local companies that have had to change the way they do business because of COVID-19.
Thanks for joining us!
This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union
Visit Truliant here
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Tracy Myers, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President for Member Engagement, introduces us to today’s hosts: Stephanie Rivers, Member Engagement Retention Specialist, and Heavenly Walker, Member Engagement Specialist.
00:24 - Today, our hosts are joined by Nino Giamio, owner of GIA: Eat, Drink, Listen. Nino shares some background about GIA, which he calls Greensboro’s “most visible speakeasy.”
01:21 - Stephanie asks how GIA has had to pivot their business model since COVID-19 has hit. Nino explains how the shared plate concept of GIA had to completely change, but they were able to adapt to offer family-style meals and wine sales to keep the business open.
3:20 - Stephanie asks about any lessons that the team at GIA have learned through this process. Nino explains that they will probably keep the family-style, to-go option that has become central to operating during COVID-19, especially because “normal” will look different once the crisis has calmed down.
5:20 - Nino shares information about the GIA’s Mother’s Day package for partners and children to purchase to give mom a great Mother’s Day meal, which will also benefit Family Services of the Piedmont. You can get a fantastic meal, some bubbles, and make mom happy while helping the community too.
6:50 - You can find GIA on Facebook, Instagram, and their website. If you’re looking to change it up for dinner, menus are posted every afternoon on social media. Call Nino to put in your order and set a pickup time!
7:55 - Heavenly introduces herself and her guest, Bill Norman, the master distiller at Fainting Goat Spirits. Bill kicks off with an introduction of his family business and how they have adapted in the COVID-19 pandemic. Early on in the crisis, Fainting Goat received permission to create hand sanitizer, so they stopped production of spirits and started to work just on creating hand sanitizer.
10:20 - Heavenly asks about the process of how Fainting Goat is making hand sanitizer. Bill explains that they currently are producing about 1200 gallons of sanitizer per week.
11:38 - Heavenly inquires about how the hand sanitizer is distributed. Bill and his family have been giving away about 400 gallons per week for free to the community, who can come by the distillery for curbside pickup. The rest of the sanitizer is given to first responders in different counties, who will then distribute it to those that need it.
12:51 - How has COVID-19 changed the business beyond the shift from producing alcohol to producing hand sanitizer? Bill talks about how many of their clients are bars and restaurants, which are currently closed, so those sales dropped dramatically. Fortunately, Fainting Goat can sell bottles directly from the distillery and there has been an increase in sales from the community coming to the distillery.
14:33 - Heavenly asks Bill what lessons he’s learned through this pandemic experience. Bill says that he truly appreciates everything and to really appreciate your loved ones and the community around you. Bill emphasizes that the community is so genuinely appreciative of what his business is doing, which makes it all worthwhile.
17:20 - If you need hand sanitizer, you can do curbside pickup Monday through Saturday from 10am-4pm. You can find Fainting Goat online on their website and social media. Make sure to follow them for some great cocktail inspiration!
---------------------
GIA
Website: https://www.drinkeatlisten.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giadrinkeatlisten/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giadrinkeatlisten
Fainting Goat Spirits
Website: https://faintinggoatspirits.com/I
During what was supposed to be Small Business Week, our member engagement team shares the stories of two local companies that have had to change the way they do business because of COVID-19.
Thanks for joining us!
This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union
Visit Truliant here
---------------------
Tracy Myers, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President for Member Engagement, introduces us to today’s hosts: Stephanie Rivers, Member Engagement Retention Specialist, and Heavenly Walker, Member Engagement Specialist.
00:24 - Today, our hosts are joined by Nino Giamio, owner of GIA: Eat, Drink, Listen. Nino shares some background about GIA, which he calls Greensboro’s “most visible speakeasy.”
01:21 - Stephanie asks how GIA has had to pivot their business model since COVID-19 has hit. Nino explains how the shared plate concept of GIA had to completely change, but they were able to adapt to offer family-style meals and wine sales to keep the business open.
3:20 - Stephanie asks about any lessons that the team at GIA have learned through this process. Nino explains that they will probably keep the family-style, to-go option that has become central to operating during COVID-19, especially because “normal” will look different once the crisis has calmed down.
5:20 - Nino shares information about the GIA’s Mother’s Day package for partners and children to purchase to give mom a great Mother’s Day meal, which will also benefit Family Services of the Piedmont. You can get a fantastic meal, some bubbles, and make mom happy while helping the community too.
6:50 - You can find GIA on Facebook, Instagram, and their website. If you’re looking to change it up for dinner, menus are posted every afternoon on social media. Call Nino to put in your order and set a pickup time!
7:55 - Heavenly introduces herself and her guest, Bill Norman, the master distiller at Fainting Goat Spirits. Bill kicks off with an introduction of his family business and how they have adapted in the COVID-19 pandemic. Early on in the crisis, Fainting Goat received permission to create hand sanitizer, so they stopped production of spirits and started to work just on creating hand sanitizer.
10:20 - Heavenly asks about the process of how Fainting Goat is making hand sanitizer. Bill explains that they currently are producing about 1200 gallons of sanitizer per week.
11:38 - Heavenly inquires about how the hand sanitizer is distributed. Bill and his family have been giving away about 400 gallons per week for free to the community, who can come by the distillery for curbside pickup. The rest of the sanitizer is given to first responders in different counties, who will then distribute it to those that need it.
12:51 - How has COVID-19 changed the business beyond the shift from producing alcohol to producing hand sanitizer? Bill talks about how many of their clients are bars and restaurants, which are currently closed, so those sales dropped dramatically. Fortunately, Fainting Goat can sell bottles directly from the distillery and there has been an increase in sales from the community coming to the distillery.
14:33 - Heavenly asks Bill what lessons he’s learned through this pandemic experience. Bill says that he truly appreciates everything and to really appreciate your loved ones and the community around you. Bill emphasizes that the community is so genuinely appreciative of what his business is doing, which makes it all worthwhile.
17:20 - If you need hand sanitizer, you can do curbside pickup Monday through Saturday from 10am-4pm. You can find Fainting Goat online on their website and social media. Make sure to follow them for some great cocktail inspiration!
---------------------
GIA
Website: https://www.drinkeatlisten.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giadrinkeatlisten/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giadrinkeatlisten
Fainting Goat Spirits
Website: https://faintinggoatspirits.com/I
20 min