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It has been about a year and 5 months since the last blog have been posted in our website. We got caught up with managing the staff and the business as well as raising our 2 kids. Anyhow, we found the time to finally update our blog section. An update that did not sit very well with what we want to inform our followers.
We all know that the world is dealing with this Covid 19 pandemic and until know still grappling to survive. Since the start of January, the events’ industries (which our business belongs) have seen the decrease in bookings but still continue to push despite the news of a supposed unknown infectious disease. Come March 2020, the government started to imposed lockdown and the start of our nightmares.
CebuBalloons have been our family’s bread and butter. For 7 plus years, we strive to make it where it is now. From nothing to something and just a snap of a finger we have seen the business crashing down. From postponed bookings, cancelled events, as well as refunds left and right. We have to face these almost every day. Our main problem was on how to give refunds to each of the clients asking for it since when they booked; we also purchased the items needed for every event as we do not want to have the problem of not giving them what we promised to give them. As a result, we have overstocked balloons, party supplies, baking ingredients, styro etc. We did not foresee that this pandemic will not end anytime soon. We have a lot of stocks that we need to dispose in order to pay them but it was hard to dispose the stocks all at one time.
Aside from the problems with the clients, we also have to let go of our staff as we cannot pay them anymore. It’s very hard to let go staffs that we have worked for years and have been our companion in every event. We gave goods and money as well as exhausted all that we can do for them as we know they will also have a hard time coping with the situation. All the goods that we received from the government, we would divide it among them. We also have third party suppliers like the entertainers that we need to think about. Although they are freelancers and we do not have direct obligations to them, still we let them borrow money (our personal) so they can stock food for their families as their bookings have already been cancelled. Most of them lived by bookings and the coming days would be even harder.
All of these things happening at one time. It took us days and a few sleepless nights to figure out our first step to face the problem. Then we started posting DIY party supplies online so we can slowly dispose our stocks. We also sell desserts to somehow make use of the overstocked baking ingredients that we have. There were obstacles every time we can come up with the solutions but we still keep pushing forward. We cannot surrender now, especially with our 3rd baby on the way. We have to keep it going.
After months of being quarantined, we have small income from the party supplies and still striving to stay afloat financially, mentally and physically facing the uncertain times. We are thankful to those clients that opted to rebook or put the event on hold instead of getting their money back. We thank you for your understanding that we too are affected by this situation. Rest assured that we will honor and give you our best service on your event date soon.
We have some plans and packages in place but we opted to put it on hold until Lisa gives birth to our baby. We will be posting it in August and hopefully you will continue to support us with our endeavors. Let us continue to pray that we may all have healthy bodies, minds and souls to face the situation we are in.
We will end this blog with a bible verse from Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Together, we will rise from this pandemic.
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