Life Touch Massage might have temporarily closed its doors in response to COVID-19—but owner Lemar Storey is ready to maximize relationships with his customers in the meantime.
Storey (who is a former Big Pitch finalist, by the way!) says he’s grateful that most of his members have not paused or canceled their membership. But, of course, he needs a plan for delivering useful content to his client base, most if not all of whom are cooped up in their homes right now as Birmingham shelters in place. He’ll tell us all about it as he participates as a panelist in this week’s webinar (register below + watch the video above for more from this yaysayer)!
FREE WEBINAR ALERT
Retaining Your Business: Maximizing Your Customer Relationships During Disaster
Thursday, April 2 | 9-10 a.m.
Led by Taylor Clark, REV’s Director of Business Growth & Recruitment
Moderated By Trevor Newberry, Newberry Consulting (and former GM of Urban Standard)
As social distancing mandates closures, not all models lend themselves to a clear e-commerce pivot. In this panel discussion, we’ll explore how to remain engaged, top of mind and relevant with your current customer base while acquiring new ones.
Panelists include:
- Tiffany Martin, Ignite Cycle
-
Luan Nguyen, Wheelhouse Academy
- Lemar Storey, Life Touch Massage
Video link coming soon!
So how can he deliver wellness services normally delivered in person (and within 6 feet)? Storey is planning to engage his email list and social media as he expedites an app where existing members can access virtual classes and services. Storey will be rolling out virtual self-massage tutorials using a yoga mat and a lacrosse-style instrument, yoga, stretching techniques and personal training.
Pre-COVID-19, Storey had begun working on the buildout of a larger wellness center, which he still plans to launch after health experts say it’s safe to do business. And although the virus has obviously posed a challenge for many businesses in growth mode, Storey chooses to see the bright side of his specific situation.
“I could look at like I just spent $30,000 on a build-out and had to close the next week, but, at the same time, that’s paid for,” he said. “And I had already set up in my new lease that we had four months rent-free. … This is not going last forever. If I can maintain for a few months, which it looks like I can, I’ll be in a very good place.”
News
-
Workshops from REV and partners to support small businesses during COVID-19
Filed Under: Birmingham Food & Drink, Business-Proving, Events, Front Page, Small Business, Workshops
Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is collaborating to rapidly create and implement programs to support small businesses like yours that are the fabric of a vibrant economy.
Related News
-
An insider look into Birmingham’s only handmade tap handle manufacturer
Filed Under: Downtown Birmingham, Front Page, Small Business, Why BHM
Beer…it’s what makes Birmingham unique, game days better, and the world go round. Beermingham is home to over 10 breweries and hundreds of unique craft flavors. Amidst this cornucopia of choices, one often overlooked yet crucial element in the craft beer world is the tap handle. It’s the final touch that guides that ice-cold brew into your frosted glass. But have you ever wondered about the work that goes into these intricate handles?
-
Season 2 of Magic City Match is ready to help Black entrepreneurs grow
Filed Under: Business-Proving, Downtown Birmingham, Events, Filling Vacant Spaces, Front Page, Get Involved, Magic City Match, Potential-Proving, Small Business
Magic City Match is a program that transforms lives and opens doors for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. Led by REV Birmingham and powered by Prosper, this initiative aims to create opportunities for Black-owned businesses by matching them with brick-and-mortar spaces where they can thrive. After a successful pilot program in 2022, Magic City Match is back in action and ready to empower a new wave of entrepreneurs.
-
Unveiling the history of Woodlawn
Filed Under: Front Page, Historic Preservation, Small Business, Uncategorized, Woodlawn
One of the most legendary and storied neighborhoods of Birmingham is Woodlawn. It is a community, anchored by one of the great public high schools of Birmingham, that has produced many citizens who contributed to the life of our city and has had an impact beyond the neighborhood itself. In a short post like this true justice cannot be done to the rich heritage and legacy of Woodlawn. However, we hope that this narrative brings together many of the diverse threads that make up the fabric of the community’s historic arc in a concise piece.