By Danielle Kutchel
Businesses are still reeling from lockdown five, even as the state begins to open up again.
Ahead of the reopening, small businesses from across Casey and Cardinia came together in a Zoom forum hosted by Gembrook MP Brad Battin on Thursday 22 July, to vent their concerns.
Among them was Rasha, owner of Casey business Peridot Makeup.
Makeup artists have been among the hardest hit cohorts throughout the pandemic – unable to work due to the cancellation of events under lockdown restrictions, as well as because of the close proximity to people in which they work.
Speaking to Star News Group, Rasha said many small businesses would be considering whether to try and survive again, or just shut up shop forever.
She’s among those faced with that difficult decision.
“I would hate to do that. I’ve been doing makeup for 21 years so it’s in my blood,” she said.
But despite the lack of income, her business has continued to incur costs throughout the five lockdowns – such as for replacements for expired products, even those that haven’t been opened.
“You wonder how much more you can take, because Covid is not going to go away in a hurry,” she mused.
Special events – a makeup artist’s bread and butter – continue to be postponed or cancelled altogether, wreaking more havoc on Rasha’s bottom line.
Another challenge has been the staged reopenings from lockdowns, where makeup artists are often amongst the last to be able to return to work.
It’s gotten to the point where Rasha has taken on a second job because she hasn’t been able to guarantee a stable income from her own business.
“I can’t rely on my makeup business anymore,” she said.
“I need to have an income, I’m a single mum, I have to keep going.”
Like other Casey businesses she was disappointed at the level of government support provided over lockdown.
But she has been somewhat heartened this week with news that she can reopen immediately after the end of lockdown five.
“It feels great to know that I don’t have to wait a couple of weeks before I can reopen, but of course now it’s a matter of waiting to get the bookings flow in again which always takes time,” Rasha said.
“Relieved, yes. Problem solved? No.
“The next six months will determine whether I can continue operating or whether I have to shut down the business after 21 years.”
Speaking after the forum, Mr Battin said he was concerned by the number of local business owners – around 30 per cent – who said they had considered or were considering walking away.
He said the State Government needed to listen to what small businesses need to keep going.
“The message I heard loud and clear was small business want to be heard and not spoken to. They want a voice,” he said.
“We will continue our call to locals to ‘Think Local, Support Local’ and we will do our best to promote this all across Casey and Cardina.”
The State Government plans to unveil further small business support in the coming days, including a business continuity fund for businesses that remain impacted by the current Covid restrictions like density limits.
