A crisis that Unleashed Creativity

I have seen that when a crisis hits, we dig our heels in and go back to the centre of our creativity. The pandemic is not over, but, at the height of lockdown, so many of us lost income and really miraculously, the tenacity of human spirit surprised me once more as I heard stories of the resourcefulness of how other women were finding a means of diversifying their income. 

I believe that’s a major lesson that everyone learnt. The notion of job security is nothing more than that...a notion. As an entrepreneur, I used to wonder how and when and where for a good few years before I realised that when you commit to doing something without reservation, the doors open. This is what countless women have done during the lockdown: they turned a crisis into opportunity because let’s face it, women know how to make a plan. In doing this, we unleash other skills that we have that can become the solutions that someone else needs. 

Baking and cooking

Although I have been writing and working from home for some time, a number of clients paused projects as they tried to figure out their own way forward. I have a couple of girlfriends who, like me, love to cook and bake. We actually offered our services and found ourselves baking and cooking for family and friends and some people in their network in turn. Some were full-on home meals, others were celebratory cakes or birthday cakes. I got to really enjoy a passion of mine and refine my skills as a home cook. It brought in a few hundred rands in profit every other week that I would not otherwise have had.

Tutoring and online teaching

As restrictions lifted (albeit slightly), teachers, au pairs, specialists in certain fields and university students supplemented their income through tutoring. Parents were tasked now not only with working from home or trying to find alternative sources of work but teaching too, especially those of us with younger children who were only starting to read and come to grips with maths and other skills. With the availability of tutors, parents were able to create small groups (all safety protocols adhered to of course if it was not online) to create the breathing space we needed to shift our focus, knowing our children were in good hands. This was an inexpensive alternative as resources were pooled.

Virtual Assistants

The role of the virtual assistant has gained massive traction. Those with excellent administrative and project management skills were able to assist small to large businesses to help them stay on top of the running of their businesses.

Mask Making

Those in the textile and design industry found themselves obtaining specifications and permits from the government and creating masks. Having spoken to Stacey Tobin from Miss Boss Couture, she was able to service entire estates and complexes during lockdown which helped her business survive.

Gardening and selling essential food

South Africans really have a beautiful spirit about us. When it counts, we are able to come together and support one another. A handful of people were growing beautiful vegetables and herbs for a few years for themselves, this time, they were able to harvest and sell to neighbours and their communities.

Virtual events and webinars

Human beings are made for connection and even lockdown wasn’t going to stop us. A few hosts in the entertainment industry, including me were Virtual MCs for brands who were hosting Virtual events and hosting talks on social media live platforms.

Online shows

A large part of my life is part of the entertainment community. It was a delight to watch friends who are singers and comedians, for instance, host shows. They sold tickets at minimal cost and were still able to entertain hundreds if not thousands.

Online dance classes

Yep, my husband was one of the professionals and choreographers who hosted lessons online. This got people moving and connected in a fun way and for those who dance more seriously, it was a means of staying connected to their passion.

Specialist online tutorials

Specialists in hair and makeup, in particular, were hosting tutorials for those who wanted to break into that particular sector.

Virtual Interior Styling

For almost 3 months, our entire lives were centred in our homes from where we worked and played. A number of organisations and individuals are making the move to work from home permanently. As a result, interior stylists were called upon to tour their spaces virtually and put customised restyling plans together for them.

There truly are countless more stories of people who started making shoes and toys or doing design that I could share. What they all have demonstrated though, is a lesson that I hope to carry forward every single day. Showing up every single day, owning your abilities and then acting on what you can bring to the world around you, will not only ensure that you survive as you tap into your creativity; it will open doors you never even knew existed. 

By Kim Jansen | Creative Content

Instagram @kimjansen777

Facebook: Kim Ilana Jansen