Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis with often tragic consequences and disrupted every aspect of social and business activity globally, putting the worldwide economic activity under stress.

The pandemic's lasting effects are as yet unknown, but it has disrupted small businesses and affected them the most. Lockdowns and other pandemic related restrictions destroyed many local businesses, and millions lost their jobs.

During these distressing times, not only governments but also established entrepreneurs need to help people crushed by the pandemic to get back on their feet. Platforms like Shopify, Cloudkitchens, and Substack allow people to set up digital storefronts with a minimal upfront cost and high upside. We need many more like this.

While we get over Covid-19, for example, all new restaurants or retail outlets may just be digital-first. Rather than take on the risk of lockdowns or leases, just set up a digital storefront and sell food or goods through a website or app. Let the different platform handles delivery and takes a cut.

Basically, all these small businesses are forced to shut down stochastically — those people need digital alternatives where states failed to provide them.

At Shimbi Labs, we have been creating software for small businesses and freelancers to help them get online and start their business quickly through the website, blog, storefront, and digital invoicing.

Schools can go digital and manage all activities through ERP like SchoolBook. 

The idea is to create different innovative, robust digital platforms based on pandemic experience, where business can be conducted from anywhere and can quickly transform itself to new realities.