What’s Up?
Hi Everybody,
Happy Monday! I hope this blog finds you safe and healthy. I have been missing you all and I feel like I haven’t really written a blog about what’s been up seen this Coronavirus hit the US. So here I am today to say, “What’s up to you?” and let you know what’s up with me and my Jaftex Companies.
Let me first say that I hope you are well and handling this new environment okay. I know that the drastic change and stress can definitely make things challenging for sure. What I say to that is just take things one day at a time. The uncertainty might not clear up quickly, but you can spare yourself the stress of getting too far ahead of yourself and stressing yourself out. It’s all about the baby steps forward until the future becomes more clear and we get to a new and sustainable normal.
In the meantime, I am suggesting that you look at the silver lining. Things could be way worse for one….way worse. Also, look at the bright side of being home and having tons of free time with your family. You probably will not get an opportunity like this again anytime soon so you should try to enjoy it. Be productive. Hit that bucket list. Clean the house. Exercise. Call old friends. Garden. Diet. Write a book. Read a book or 10. Catch up on tons of great tv shows. Cook. Listen to a podcast. Play board games. Watch a Youtube video. Learn something new. And of course, if all else fails, you can always make a quilt or a mask.
This too shall pass familia. A year from now, we will be looking back on this and saying, “Remember when……” Just take it slow and don’t forget to breathe.
Now from the corporate perspective, I wanted to let you know what’s up with team Jaftex. The most important things is that none of our employees have gotten Corona. We were fortunate to have been in a good position to have everyone work from home and I think we are going on 7 weeks as of today. My brother, Greg, who is in charge of operations, had us all set up to work from home and things have been pretty seamless….knock on wood. All our phone calls and emails are being forwarded and it’s business as usual in a not so usual way.
You will be happy to know that our G&S Warehouse has been deemed essential so they have been running as per usual with lots of safety measures in place, social distancing, masks, etc. We are shipping no doubt and feeding the mask frenzy.
We are now in the process of trying to figure out a go forward plan as we just don’t know what the future of buying and selling fabric will look like. When will reps get to start visiting customers again? Will they ever visit shops again? Will customers be able to start buying virtually from look books and websites? Unfortunately, there are a lot more questions than answers, but we will sort it out and get to the bottom of things through trial and error. The key is that we continue to make educated and well thought out decisions.
Other than that, our main mantra has been communication. From the start, my brother encouraged us to communicate as much as possible and that has proven to be a very good decision based on the feedback we are getting. We are having weekly calls with our customers, our reps, all of our employees and I am having a weekly Jaftex Trivia Coronavirus Quarantine contest every Sunday at 3 PM Eastern time. 12 questions, 12 awesome fabric prizes and anyone in the world can participate. It is what I like to call fabric-tainment. You can find it on Facebook on my @jaftexpresident page. I would love to have you join in on the fun.
That’s a quick update for you. I will try to keep you up to speed and let you know how we at Jaftex are traversing this new world. I would imagine that this could potentially change our business forever, let alone our lives. Until next time then, as I like to say, “God bless America, God bless Jaftex and God bless all of you.”
Be safe. Peace!
Scott
13 Comments
Nancy Sadewater
Praying for you and your co-workers to stay virus free and safe.
Joanne Hubbard
Thanks for the update! I’m happy to hear that things have been running smoothly for Jaftex. That will make the return to “normal” much easier for all of you. As for me, I’ve been making my share of masks, pillowcases, catching up with older (set aside) projects, and pushing myself to try new things. I’m facilitating an online sew along for one of the shop where I teach, which has been both fun and challenging at the same time. Who knew that I could talk into a camera just as much as I can in person. lol
It’s always been my goal to find the positive in everything, so this situation has been no different. On the 24th, my youngest daughter gave birth to twin girls. While I was not allowed to be at the hospital, it was really great for them. The time that would have normally be spent with visitors, was spent getting some much needed rest. (I’m sure they aren’t getting much of that now that they are home with their other three children!) Since both my daughter and son-in-law are teachers and schools are distance learning only right now, they are both home, which is making the adjustment much easier. Personally, I’m enjoying this time with my husband. So often, I’m gone for days on end teaching classes, running to meetings, etc.; and while I miss the money, it’s nice to spend the day working away at our projects while being in the same room. He’s even helping me with the sew along. 🙂
Thanks again for all you do and for the entire Jaftex Family! Be safe
Jill Guinn
Thank you for the update. I have used this opportunity to design quilts for Christmas presents. Buttermilk Farmstead Collection will be my next purchase. Love it! God bless you, your family, and business.
Jill
Esther Moore
This is a good company. I heard that you were all preparing for the shutdown weeks before it was enacted in NYC. You had systems in place to protect employees, reps and customers. I’m very impressed!! Best to you all in NYC and at the warehouse!
Cheryl Haupt
Thoroughly enjoying the weekly trivia contest, Scott! I’ve been making masks like our lives depend on it, just finished my 114th! Who knew that 1/4 “ elastic would become a hot black market item one day, LOL! I think your strong social media presence puts you in a good position as we all figure out what the ‘new normal’ really is. Stay healthy, and hug that 5th generation! ?
Liz Willis
I was so restful to hear none of your families at Jaftex have the virus. I’ve started to quilt a granddaughters graduation quilt. Stopped to make masks. And got side tracked 3 weeks ago with news my husband has stage 4 advanced pancreatic cancer. No surgery, no chemo. Everyday we talk about our blessings and look for humor. Believe it or not he listens to your Sunday trivia with me. Keep up, keeping us lifted up.
Robert Raymond Tucker
Encouraging words indeed. Many of us have felt in touch because of your weekly Sunday give-aways ( even though I have yet to win * laughs * ).
The positive energy combined with your no nonsense approach has been supportive and entertaining.
Penelope Quick
Scott I just want to say thank you for keeping our spirits high in this very difficult situation that the world is in at the moment.
You are so generous, kind, and truly a very good friend from the moment you meet others
Your family is adorable and we are so lucky that they share you with us!!!
Thank you again and God bless stay safe, stay home,stay healthy
Terri Burton
Thanks for the update. It’s hard to get great fabric where I live due to so many quilt shops closing and the distance to drive to obtain quality fabric. Please think about this topic for your team meetings. Delivery from internet shops are taking a long time and Amazon a month to the sticks where I live. Good thing I am a fabric hoarder right now. I enjoy your Sunday quiz and keep up the good work with your employees. Stay safe and healthy and we look forward to all the new designs.
Leah Heilman
I am living the new lines posted on FB and am on many FB quilt groups. I love the quarantine quilts and I have made about 7 quilts and 300 masks. I am loving being a sewing enthusiast at this time in history and happy to help my people stay safe. Carry on quilters
Diane
Thank you for all that you and your company do for us quilters and currently mask makers.
Jacqueline
I like your companies mantra. Keep up the incredible work you all continue to do during these awkward and very stressful times. ?
Janice Pope
As a contractor in the field working for Jaftex, I really appreciate all the work behind the scenes to keep our business running smoothly through this time. Greg has much wisdom and vision and Scott and Greg have provided great leadership. Thanks for all you do for us and our customers.