Discovering Hope in Uncertainty
By Max Isley
I have been in business long enough (over 46 years) to have a little luxury of saying; “just when I thought I have seen it all or been through it all…” the COVID 19 pandemic began and as a result, shut down businesses, schools and kept most Americans inside. As it accelerated, our whole world as we knew it changed and the luxury of the saying seemed to have more validity than ever. Despite the fact that I have weathered 6 recessions as a business owner, (this will likely be my 7th) I have no experience owning and operating a business during a global pandemic. Recently, I have gone through a grieving process professionally and personally. I am coping with uncertainty. My business plans have been scuttled and my tried and true in-person customer service methods no longer look how they used to look. I, like many, am finding that there is little clarity about how to navigate through a crisis such as the COVID 19 pandemic.
Yet out of all this uncertainty; I am steadily finding hope, which is providing me with a bit of insight. I am finding new ways of thinking and am challenging myself to look at new ways to conduct business and personal relationships despite the physical restrictions of social distancing and the sudden halt of our economy. For example, our team typically goes to homes to take site measurements and provide design consultations. While we won’t be in your homes personally during these times, we are finding innovative ways to gather this important data and make design observations. I am surprised by the numerous intriguing and promising technologies I have discovered in my research to solve this problem. If I step back a bit from the pain of getting through this unprecedented challenge, I find that I am enjoying finding new products, processes, and services that could change the future of our business. These discoveries prove to be exciting and terrifying all at once!
I am discovering that relationships, both personal and professional, mean more than I realized and I have a new appreciation for those relationships. More important than ever are the bonds that I share with my family, my life partner and the people close to me. I miss the hugs and the being close to one another. I have missed two scheduled trips to Seattle to be with my family. I have physically distanced from my young grandchildren here to support their family’s need to encourage safety, but oh my, do I miss them all!
Max Isley and family. Photograph by Abi Sperati.
On the professional side of things, I was joyful to discover that some work-related relationships have crossed into the personal realm. It has been such a blessing to have folks reach out just to check up on us and chat without the conversation needing to be about a business transaction. I always consider the people who work for me directly or indirectly as important. I want to assure them that we will keep working together and keep an income stream. Even though I don’t have much to spread around I will do all I can to keep things going for everyone with whom I am associated in any small way that I can. I truly believe that it’s my duty as a citizen of this earth we live on.
I read this morning, “This is not an end but an occurrence in our life journey.” Struggles are relative to all of us. This is not an easy time, but somehow, we will find a way through changing our perspective when possible. My daily mediation is that we all remain healthy, we all come out of this with a cure for COVID 19 and a new, hopeful perception of life. The air is clearer right now for me; I wish you new ways of thinking. We can do this!
By Max Isley, CEO and CMKBD
For more information about Max’s experience and achievements, click More About Max.