Charlotte, N.C. / May 20, 2020 -听With the recent global pandemic affecting the country, small businesses have had to re-strategize, re-create and develop concepts of conducting 鈥渘ew normal鈥 business practices.听
星空无限传媒听alumna and Charlotte business woman, Kimberly Wilkinson 鈥09 established Members Only, a private social lounge and tasting room, in November 2019. The establishment serves craft cocktails听and craft beer, provides a relaxing ambiance and it has a swing.
It鈥檚 May and the weather is nice.听听Many businesses are gearing up to open their venues to customers. To听ensure North Carolinians' safety, Governor Roy Cooper has established a plan for opening back up the economy. In phase one, bars and restaurants are only open for take-out and delivery.听
The pandemic has affected the small business owner鈥檚 revenue dramatically.听鈥It has completely shut down the cocktail bar, because it鈥檚 non-essential.听听There鈥檚 a complete loss in revenue and because Members Only has only been operating for a little over four months, it doesn鈥檛 meet the guidelines to qualify for stimulus money,鈥 said Wilkinson.听听听
The business marketing graduate always had the desire to own a business. With the assistance of Dr. Linette Fox, assistant professor of management and Dr. Sutton, Wilkinson developed marketing plans to jumpstart her dreams.听
鈥I attended JCSU to focus on business and graduate. The faculty and staff provided so much support,鈥 said Wilkinson.听听鈥淚 constantly felt like I was being rooted for and they wanted me to succeed,鈥 she continued.
Utilizing the resources and tools gained at JCSU helped her to launch her entrepreneurial career. She created a business plan and emailed it to the 3100 N. Davidson Street property owner and launched听a brick and mortar听clothing听boutique听named after her grandmother, VIVIAN B听in Charlotte鈥檚 North Davidson (NoDA) neighborhood in November 2010. The NoDA area is known for its artsy buildings, great food and unique small businesses.听
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Wilkinson knew that this was the place for her. With great success in the clothing business, she saw a need for healthy living and decided to switch lanes and turn the space from a boutique into a juice bar named Juice Box. The business has been operating for just a little over three and a half years. The pandemic has affected Juice Box鈥檚 revenue as well.听
鈥淛uice Box sales are down 50 to 60 percent. We are open for grab and go orders,鈥 she said.
Wilkinson sees a light at the end of the tunnel. She continues to evolve, despite the current circumstances. 鈥淢y biggest accomplishment is my perseverance,鈥 she said. 鈥淏eing able to adapt with the changes in the market, grow, and continually create in my entrepreneurial space is a blessing.鈥
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To abide by the social distancing practice, she encourages guests to order over the phone for pick up or through delivery partners, Postmates and Uber Eats.听
If you are looking to support her business, please stop in for grab and go orders and follow her on Instagram听听and听. Continue to keep her on the radar, so that when the city is open to normal business operations, everyone can come and enjoy a social scene.听
