IMPACT 0128: CAFE IN MAY, NO WAY

This letter was written during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as part of Dear Covid-19. Though some of the events and details in this letter may have changed since then, we hope to remember those in our community who stepped up when it mattered most.

Dear COVID-19,

“2020 was going to be my year!” I thought to myself before you came along, and everything became bittersweet.

There were so many changes that everyone had no choice but to accept, because you literally brought the world to a standstill.

This is the worst crisis I’ve personally experienced and prayed every day that things would eventually get better. Now that we’re months into the crisis, I learnt that everything happens for a reason and I’m also thankful for you.

Mentally, it was definitely a struggle.

Turning the clock back a few months, I was supposed to open my cafe in May. My dream that I’ve been working on for the past six years was going to happen. The unit, renovations, and details with all the parties have already been put in place. I was super-excited for the launch and suddenly, everything turned upside down within a few days.

Things were getting serious, the virus was spreading fast and then the circuit breaker happened. Everything that we planned to do was pushed back a month, and even worse, we had a circuit breaker extension, which led to plans coming to a huge stop.

We had to plan around the crisis and make do with what we were given. Things were chaotic but we made it through with lots of patience and dedication towards opening the place.

There’s a saying where things always happen for a reason and I truly understood it during this period. During the whole circuit breaker till the reopening in Phase 2, new problems and issues started emerging, which needed time to solve, and also getting the team ready for the opening was also time consuming.

Initially, the entire project was fuelled by lots of passion and drive, but due to our lack of experience in the F&B business, my brother and I were faced with challenges that we had to take time to solve together.

This “break” was actually a blessing in disguise.

My brother and I were able to use this period to get our things settled and be more prepared and ready for the launch. It’s always important to keep a positive mindset during this period and have your goals very clear in your mind.

I was really patient and understanding in every aspect, which was also the reason why we made it through.

Thank you for coming into my life and teaching me one of the hardest life experiences ever.