Even in the good times, running a business is risky. But when a disaster strikes a small business, the effects can be devastating. In one day, Norm Osborne lost hundreds of thousands of dollars when his San Diego pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm burned to the ground as wildfires swept through southern California. Farms and other small business were hit hard by the randomness of the fires, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Some were spared; others lost everything.
But even the fires haven't been able to put out out the indomitable spirit of many small-business owners. After being forced to shut down for a week as fires blazed through his community, Leon Herzog, owner of Barrett Junction Cafe in Dulzura, fired up his grill to serve free meals to residents and emergency workers. Despite four canceled events last week, Beverly Ireland, owner of Jasmine Creek Florist in El Cajon, expressed optimism that a "better than ever" holiday season would help her get back on track. And Steve Bovee, owner of Reed's Hobby Shop in La Mesa, made plans to increase his advertising to recover lost revenue.
"You have to be totally optimistic and come out swinging in these situations," Bovee told the Union-Tribune. "Otherwise you'll go crazy."
Posted by Emily McMackin on November 2, 2007 07:39 AM
